Metadata Specialist I

Metadata Specialist I The J. Paul Getty Trust vision insurance, paid holidays, 403(b), retirement plan United States, California, Los Angeles 1200 Getty Center Drive (Show on map) May 23, 2026 Metadata Specialist I
Job Family Library Type LT Full-Time Position Status Getty Center Workplace Type Hybrid/Partially Remote Salaried/Hourly Salaried Hiring Pay Scale $62,540 - $79,732 Annually Salary Commensurate with experience and internal equity Program/Department Research Institute - 0420-Special Collections Management Requisition Number 2026-4780 Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. Job Summary Getty seeks a forward-thinking Metadata Specialist to join the Getty Research Institute's (GRI) Digital Stewardship and Metadata Optimization team within Special Collections. This full-time, limited term position (July 2026 until June 2029) will support a major initiative to migrate archival content into a centralized digital asset management system and data management platform. This work will help to consolidate systems and enable advanced technologies such as IIIF and Linked Open Data to enhance discovery and access. The migration will lay the foundation for streamlined operations across the organization, improving consistency, standardizing practices, and opening new opportunities to generate and enrich metadata for archival collections at scale. The Metadata Specialist will play a key role in managing and implementing innovative workflows for digital asset migration in close collaboration with internal teams and Getty technology partners. Based in Los Angeles, the GRI is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the visual arts and their histories. Serving an international community of scholars, the Research Library is one of the world's largest art and architecture libraries, with holdings exceeding 1.5 million volumes. Our Special Collections encompass rare books and journals, photographs, prints and drawings from the 15th century to the present, architectural plans and models, art multiples, film, audio and video recordings, born-digital content, and extensive archives and manuscript collections. Major Job Responsibilities Manage the migration of digital assets from the digital preservation repository into the digital asset management system, data management platform, and collections viewer
Apply professional judgment, standards, best practices, research, and analysis to create complex new metadata and/or to edit, aggregate, enhance, transform, and disseminate existing metadata
Analyze archival description source metadata to identify opportunities for reconciliation, normalization, and enrichment that improve discoverability and interoperability
Maintain quality control processes to evaluate the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of migrated assets and metadata
Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to migration workflows and legacy metadata
Utilize project management and tracking tools to monitor progress and keep the project on schedule
Collaborate with stakeholders across the GRI and Getty Digital by participating in working groups and/or project teams
Support metadata remediation and enrichment projects that strengthen and expand the GRI's linked data infrastructure
Contribute to the development and maintenance of documentation for standards, procedures, and workflows
Assist in the creation and management of new digital assets and their ingest into systems, as needed
Participate in additional projects as assigned Qualifications Undergraduate degree in appropriate discipline; additional graduate degree in an appropriate discipline and/or MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school preferred
0-2 years related professional experience
Requires strong communication skills
Experience working in the visual arts, library, and/or archives domains highly desirable Please note: This position is not eligible for employer-based immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have authorization to work for Getty in the United States without the need for sponsorship, currently or in the future. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Experience working with digital collections and an understanding of the role metadata plays in enhancing search and discovery within user interfaces
Ability to design and optimize workflows with an understanding of how changes impact systems, staff, and existing processes
Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines, apply policies and procedures consistently, and present recommendations
Knowledge of current metadata standards used in libraries, archives, and museums, such as EAD, Dublin Core, MARC21, and other emerging standards
Familiarity with data exchange standards, such as XML and JSON
Basic understanding of batch data functions using OpenRefine, Python, XSL, APIs, and/or UNIX Command Line
Experience with, or ability to learn, library and archives-specific databases, software applications, and digital asset management systems, including ArchivesSpace, OpenText Media Management, and ExLibris products (Rosetta, Alma, Primo)
Familiarity with linked data concepts and technologies
Tolerance for detail-oriented, high-volume, and, at times, repetitive work
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Proven ability to work collaboratively in team-based environments with colleagues across domains
Adaptability and effectiveness in dynamic and evolving work environments Benefits and Perks Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected
403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
Educational Assistance and professional development
Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days
12 Paid Holidays
Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
Community service opportunities To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.