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DATE ENTERED: October 30, 2023
POSITION: Data Scientist & Visualization Specialist, Libraries
LOCATION: James Madison University Libraries, Harrisonburg, VA
APPLY BY:  Review of applications begins 11/27/2023

 

Data Scientist & Visualization Specialist, Libraries

Position Information

 

Working Title Data Scientist & Visualization Specialist, Libraries
Position Number 6544
Posting Number F2332
Position Type Administrative and Professional Faculty
Position Status Full Time
College/Division JMU Libraries
Department 100113 – Libraries
Pay Rate Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount $60,000-$70,000
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Position Summary Information

 

About James Madison University
Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information
James Madison University Libraries is accepting applications for a Data Scientist & Visualization Specialist. As a member of the Data Analytics Team in Libraries’ Administration, this position advances the University and the Libraries’ commitment to diversity and to student, faculty, and staff success by providing computationally sophisticated analyses and visualizations of the Libraries’ scholarly resource and academic technology data to support initiatives and decision-making within the organization, the university, and the state. In addition, the Libraries is a member of the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), Virginia’s academic library consortium, and the Virginia Research Libraries, both of which regularly engage in data analysis projects requiring support from the Data Analytics Team.

The Libraries adheres to its Privacy Policy in working with user information.

This is a 40-hour, Administrative and Professional (AP) Faculty position working Monday through Friday with some flexibility in hours. This position is remote-optional with periodic travel to JMU for onsite training and collaboration.

The Libraries currently utilize data from several systems, including the Alma/Primo library services platform and the Canvas learning management system, as well as numerous repository, publisher, and academic technology platforms.

The Libraries particularly welcomes applicants who can enhance the inclusive excellence of our campus community, and who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and inclusive environments for teaching, learning, research, and service. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming place for everyone, encouraging dialogue, and celebrating diverse life experiences and perspectives. We encourage experimentation and creativity in pursuit of meaningful solutions that build on our position as core academic infrastructure for our campus community.

JMU offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes James Madison University a great place to work!
Duties and Responsibilities
The Data Scientist & Visualization Specialist

    • Develops, maintains, and applies a set of methodologies for library-related data management and analysis informed by industry standards and best practices.
    • Identifies, illuminates, and mitigates the potential for systemic bias in methods, analysis, reporting, visualization, and interpretation.
    • Incorporates university and library privacy policies, as well as privacy-by-design principles into data analytics work.
    • Compiles and analyzes large data sets to create analytical reports and visualizations for a diverse set of stakeholders.
    • Collaborates with Libraries and University colleagues to determine relevant data needs and analysis tools.
    • Provides additional learning analytics and data analysis support for projects at the local, state, and national levels.
    • Conducts benchmarking with vendors, peer institutions, constituency groups, and stakeholders.
    • Participates in professional development, scholarship, and service activities, as appropriate.

 
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have:

    • Articulated ability to help foster an inclusive and equitable work environment.
    • Applied knowledge of statistical methods, data visualization, and data ethics.
    • Demonstrated experience with data modeling, cleaning, and normalization from a variety of data sources.
    • Working knowledge of one or more programming languages and related tools suitable for advanced data manipulation and analysis (e.g., Python, R).
    • Experience with data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
    • Excellent technological skills with the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong organizational, time-management, and collaboration skills.
    • Demonstrated commitment to data ethics, data privacy, security and equity in data analysis and application.
    • Master’s Degree or equivalent education and experience in Data Analytics/Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Operations Research, or other relevant disciplines.

 

Additional considerations include:
  • Familiarity with trends in machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, including societal impact concerns.
  • Experience in using library, higher education learning, and/or business systems and data, and the types of biases common to these contexts.
  • Knowledge, skill, and/or experience with critical quantitative inquiry and methods.
Conditions of Employment
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Posting Detail Information

 

Posting Date 10/20/2023
Beginning Review Date 11/27/2023
Closing Date  
Open Until Filled Yes
Proposed Starting Date  
EEO Statement
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. 
 
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality. 
 
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation Request
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or [email protected]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report
Notice of Availability – Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, the university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, protocols for the immediate notification of students and staff upon confirmation of a significant emergency on campus and other matters of importance related to security and safety. The report includes statistics for the most recent three-year period of reported crimes that have occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by JMU or its affiliates; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes campus housing fire statistics for the most recent three-year period, a description of each on-campus student housing facility fire safety system, the number of fire drills held during the previous calendar year, policies or rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames in student housing; and procedures for student housing evacuation in the event of fire along with other fire safety information.

The JMU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes the Harrisonburg campus and the three overseas branch campuses; Florence, Antwerp, and London. It is available electronically http://www.jmu.edu/publicsafety/clerycompliance/2018Annual-Security-and-Fire-Safety-Report.shtml

You can obtain a copy of any of this report by contacting the Office of Public Safety, MSC 6810, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 or request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (540)568-6769/6913.
Minimum Reference(s) Required 3
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/15788
Additional Posting Information
Cover letter: In addition to articulating interest and qualifications, this document should address the candidate’s contributions or potential contributions to inclusion and equity in the Libraries and/or at the university.


JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.