Job Description

We are seeking a Data Discovery and Access Specialist who will be responsible for selection, discovery, and access of institutional, open-access, community, and purchased datasets serving Johns Hopkins researchers, faculty, students, and staff. As a member of the Digital Scholarship and Data Services team, the data discovery and access specialist promotes data literacy and the discovery and use of relevant datasets by providing individual consultations and developing and delivering workshops, training programs, and research guides. The data discovery and access specialist supports and collaborates closely with colleagues in Digital Scholarship and Data Services, Academic Liaisons, Hopkins researchers and faculty, the larger academic data services community, and especially the new Data Science and AI Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct consultations and answer patron inquiries related to secondary data, particularly on discovering, accessing, evaluating, and working with datasets.
• In collaboration with Technical Services and the Discovery and Access team, select, describe, and promote discovery and access to datasets provided through Data Services, open-access and community repositories, and purchased from vendors.
• Develop and deliver instructional programming, including workshops and classroom sessions on finding, evaluating, and using secondary data of all types and on tools and methods to effectively work with data.
• Conduct outreach and build relationships with researchers, faculty, and students on their needs around data discovery and access.
• Serves as the Organization Representative to the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).
• Acquire and license datasets and related resources for the library's collection in coordination with relevant colleagues and stakeholders.
• Define and document policies and implement procedures for managing access to restricted datasets at the Sheridan Libraries.
• Administer the Johns Hopkins Libraries Data Grant data purchase program.
• Serve as liaison to the JHU Sheridan Libraries Social Sciences Collection team.
• Prepare secondary datasets and their metadata for improved access and discovery.
• Create and maintain relevant library guides and other informational resources for users.
• Report to library and university leadership on dataset usage and needs.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of the tools and methods for finding and assessing datasets relevant to specific research needs, the academic research process, and data literacy in higher education.
• Experience providing instruction, consultation, and public services in a library or academic setting, preferably including via video conferencing.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with diverse colleagues and patrons.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• MLS from an ALA-accredited library school or an advanced related degree.
• Three years of professional experience managing data set selection, discovery/promotion, and access for research.

• Strong understanding of the methods and data requirements of research in Artificial Intelligence.
• Experience with collection development, acquisitions, and licensing of library resources.
• Experience with medium-to-large data sets (over 1 million rows).
• Knowledge of programmatic tools and technologies for data access including API use in languages like R and Python, SQL, and some familiarity with data cleaning, normalization, and visualization.
• Ability to learn and apply new skills and evidence of ongoing self-directed learning.

Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications

• Skill in using tools and technologies for data access and extraction via API, including API platforms such as Postman and programming languages such as Python.
• Skill in using tools and technologies for data cleaning, transformation, normalization, and visualization, including SQL, R, and Python.

Classified Title: Librarian III
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Data Discovery and Access Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD
Starting Salary Range: $62,900 - $110,100 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Remote
Department name: GIS & Data Services
Personnel area: Libraries

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here:

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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