GIS and Geography Librarian (Replacement)

GIS and Geography Librarian (Replacement)

The University of Ottawa Library is looking for an innovative, motivated and service-oriented individual to fill the position of GIS and Geography Librarian (Replacement). The ideal profile is a creative person who works well with colleagues in a stimulating and changing environment.

Environment:  The University of Ottawa is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the country's top research universities and the largest bilingual (French and English) university in the world.  Located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, in the heart of downtown Ottawa, it contributes to the economy, culture and quality of life of Canada's Capital.

Responsibilities: 

Reporting to the Head, Research Support (Scholarly Communication and Data), the incumbent provides teaching and research support to enable broad interdisciplinary use of geographic information, including spatial data and maps, and for assigned disciplines.

The incumbent participates in the development and provision of orientation and teaching programs, provides reference and research services for geographic information and assigned disciplines, liaises with faculty members and participates in collection development. The main objective of this position is the contribution to the optimal development, organization, access and use of scholarly information resources in support of the teaching and research mission of the University of Ottawa.

The incumbent is responsible for the following work and activities:

Collections development

• Evaluate, develop, coordinate and ensure optimal access to the Library’s geographic information collections, including spatial data and maps, in accordance with collections development policies.
• Work with members of the Collections Strategy department to provide collections support in the assigned disciplines.
• Collaboratively define and recommend storage policies for data and metadata.
• Participate in professional organizations working with data producers to strengthen and improve the content and metadata of the products for use in an academic setting.

Collections access

• Participate in license negotiations, data exchange agreements, and access rights to spatial data on behalf of the Library or as part of a consortial process.
• Ensure that data release agreements are respected through appropriate security and service measures.
• Design finding tools for the discovery, retrieval, and extraction of cartographic information in all formats. Participate in special initiatives such as digitization projects to enhance access to the cartographic collection.
• Coordinate the planning, development, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the Library's technical environment supporting the use of spatial data.
• Coordinate the development of policies and workflows required for the effective delivery of services relating to spatial data access and use.

Reference and Teaching

• Coordinate reference services relating to access and support of the geographic information collection, including keeping team members informed about new products and ensuring requests are properly referred.
• Participate in public services such as the virtual reference service and individual user consultations.
• Liaise with academic units and services to promote library resources and services, reference and teaching activities, and to identify ongoing needs.
• Design, promote, and deliver education programs and activities related to spatial data and cartography, and in assigned disciplines, in collaboration with other specialists and faculty. Collaborate with other specialists in the elaboration of, and participation in, their seminars as required.

Term: Replacement Librarian (September, 2025 to June 30, 2026).

Benefits: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package which includes long term disability insurance, basic life insurance, supplementary health insurance and an optional life insurance.

Workplace:  Library, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5.

Contact person: Talia Chung, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5.  bcdb-uldl@uottawa.ca (Please indicate the position title).

Required skills:

Education: A Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences (MLIS) from an institution that has been accredited from the American Library Association or equivalent.

Professional experience: 

• University degree in another field of specialization, preferably in geography with a focus on geomatics.
• Excellent knowledge of spatial data resources, spatial metadata standards, and common GIS software (commercial and open source), acquired through studies or professional experience.
• Knowledge of scholarly information and research methods acquired through studies or professional experience.
• Pertinent knowledge of and experience in the areas of collection development, teaching, and reference.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to manage projects.
• Bilingual (English and French), written and spoken, including the ability to teach in both official languages.

The University of Ottawa Library would like to thank in advance those who have submitted a job application.  Only those selected for the next selection stage will be contacted.