Outreach Librarian

LAC Federal is seeking an Outreach Librarian to work at a major federal library in the Washington, DC, area. The Outreach Librarian will play a critical role in promoting a federal open data repository to scientists and researchers who have received federal grants, encouraging them to upload their research data, and providing training and support on utilizing the repository effectively. This position involves developing and implementing outreach strategies, creating training materials, conducting workshops, and providing technical assistance to ensure that scientists can easily contribute their data to the repository and access data from others.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach and Promotion:

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to raise awareness among scientists about the federal open data repository and its benefits.
• Collaborate with federal grant agencies, research institutions, and scientific organizations to promote data sharing and repository usage.
• Create marketing materials, including newsletters, website content, and social media posts, to engage the scientific community and highlight the value of the repository.

 Training and Education:

• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and webinars to educate scientists on how to upload their research data to the repository.
• Develop comprehensive training materials, user guides, and manuals to assist scientists in navigating the repository and addressing common technical issues.
• Customize training sessions to meet the specific needs and interests of different scientific disciplines and user groups.

 Technical Support:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for scientists seeking assistance with uploading data, accessing datasets, or troubleshooting technical problems related to the repository.
• Provide one-on-one consultations and hands-on assistance to scientists to address their specific data management and repository usage needs.
• Collaborate with repository developers and IT staff to resolve technical issues, improve user experience, and enhance repository functionality.

 Data Management Advocacy:

• Advocate for best practices in data management and sharing within the scientific community, emphasizing the importance of data preservation, documentation, and accessibility.
• Provide guidance and support to scientists on data management planning, metadata creation, and compliance with federal data sharing policies and guidelines.
• Facilitate discussions and workshops on topics related to data management, open science, and reproducibility to promote a culture of data sharing and transparency.

Evaluation and Feedback:

• Collect feedback from scientists and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts, training programs, and repository services.
• Monitor repository usage metrics and analytics to track user engagement, identify areas for improvement, and inform future outreach and training initiatives.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for library management and agency stakeholders based on evaluation findings and feedback.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in library science, information sciences
• Strong knowledge of data management principles, metadata standards, and open access initiatives.
• Experience in outreach, marketing, or public relations, preferably in a scientific or academic library setting.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage and educate diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in developing training materials, user guides, and instructional resources.
• Technical aptitude and proficiency in using library and data repository systems, as well as common software tools and platforms.
• Familiarity with federal grant programs and research funding agencies is desirable.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources