Associate Data/ Metadata Analyst

Together we make breakthroughs possible. 

At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world. 

Why join OCLC? 

OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being.

• We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs. 

• Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room 

• Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC 

• Health and wellness events 

• Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools 

• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance 

• Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility 

• Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships 

Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact. 

The job details are as follows:

The Associate Data Analyst/Metadata Specialist manages the lifecycle of bibliographic and holdings data, ensuring accuracy and integrity through evaluation, transformation, and maintenance. This entry-level role combines metadata expertise with developing technical skills in scripting, automation, and AI-assisted workflows. Working under regular supervision, the Associate will transition from executing well-defined tasks to taking ownership of complex data projects. This is an opportunity to develop expertise at the intersection of library data, modern data engineering, and emerging AI — in a team that invests in the growth of its people.

Responsibilities:

Data Operations & Quality

• Data Lifecycle Management: Perform data ingest, normalization, enrichment, and matching according to established standards (e.g., MARC, KBART).

• Quality Assessment: Profile incoming data to identify and resolve structural issues, encoding errors, and tagging discrepancies.

• Troubleshooting: Investigate and resolve data quality issues, escalating complex problems to senior staff as needed.

• Vendor Communication: Coordinate with external data providers and partner institutions regarding routine data specifications and quality issues.

Technical Solutions & Automation

• Pipeline Support: Apply existing scripts and automated workflows to process data; identify inefficiencies and suggest process improvements.

• Data Visualization: Use and interpret dashboards (e.g., Power BI) to monitor data quality trends and communicate findings.

• AI Integration: Utilize AI-assisted tools for record matching and field mapping; contribute structured feedback that helps improve AI model accuracy over time.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Knowledge Management: Document data source profiles, processing decisions, and technical workflows to ensure team-wide knowledge sharing.

• Team Support: Execute foundational tasks to support senior analysts and participate in platform improvement projects.

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Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, statistics, or related field and internship experience with data analysis or creation of library data.

• Entry-level analytical and communication skills, with attention to data quality while working under regular supervision.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Metadata Standards: Foundational knowledge of MARC, Dublin Core, KBART, or BIBFRAME.
• Technical Tools: Exposure to scripting languages (Python, SQL, or XSLT) and data transfer protocols (SFTP, APIs, or AWS S3).
• Data Platforms: Conceptual familiarity with cloud data stores (e.g., Snowflake) and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Streamlit).
• Emerging Tech: Interest in applying AI and linked data concepts (e.g., Schema.org) to library data challenges.

Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

ADA/EAA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.