Library Systems & Applications Developer

General Summary: 

Reporting to the Head of Library Systems and Discovery Services (LSDS), the Library Systems and Applications Developer will play a key role in enhancing and optimizing the Library’s enterprise systems, including Alma/Primo, inter-library loan, EZproxy, and other systems and applications, in order to enable quality services and efficient workflows and meet the needs of our diverse user community. The LSDS department is responsible for library core system infrastructure and the discovery services that support research, scholarship, teaching, and learning at UMass Boston. Healey Library recently migrated to Ex Libris’ cloud-based Alma resource management and Primo discovery systems.

The Library Systems and Applications Developer will be responsible for providing the programming and technical expertise needed for the development, integration, and support of a wide array of library systems, applications, and services. The incumbent will help  analyze, design and implement library systems infrastructures and user interfaces; will adapt new and existing web tools to improve the library’s front-end discovery and access applications and platforms, including the new library search and discovery system Primo; will explore new technologies to identify opportunities for effective application, including the potential integration with other university and library systems; and will develop custom library applications that enhance and create efficiencies within library operations for library patrons and back-end functions. The incumbent will also assist with all aspects of maintenance and administration of library systems and applications; will provide technical assistance for all forms of information technology used by the library to meet its mission, goals, and objectives; and will participate in the development and assessment of a broad range of library technology initiatives and plans.

This position may be assigned on-call duties in accordance with Article 18.3 of the contract between the University and the Professional Staff Union. Assignment of on-call will be detailed using the “On-Call Assignment (Professional Staff) Form.”

Examples of Duties: 

• Administer, configure, troubleshoot, and coordinate the support of the Library’s applications and enterprise systems, such as Alma, Primo, ILLiad, EZproxy server, and related applications;  

• Develop and implement procedures to integrate and maintain library systems with campus, university, or third-party systems and applications (e.g. PeopleSoft, SUMMIT, Oracle idM, BrowZine, Rapid, Google Scholar, LibGuides, etc.);

• Utilize available APIs and web services and develop or modify API scripts as needed, for data retrieval and system integrations with third-party applications and systems;

• Work with University IT and other stakeholders to implement, maintain and enhance the Single Sign-On authentication for library applications and the patron data feed interface to populate library systems;

• Facilitate analytic reporting from various systems and use a variety of software tools for the extraction and manipulation of data for use by various systems;

• Work to seamlessly integrate records from disparate systems into the discovery system;

• Research, recommend and adopt standard and emerging tools, techniques, methods and applications to improve efficiencies, provide new services to library patrons and improve access to the library’s digital resources;

• Provide support for third-party applications that interface with library systems;

• Conduct continuous evaluation and enhancement for Library search, discovery and access experience for all library users;

• Participate in the design, development, and implementation of all interfaces and platforms that support the delivery of library services and collections; provide written documentation and training in support of these applications and services;

• Customize the public interface using scripting languages and web authoring tools;

• Prepare and maintain logs, reports and statistical data to assist the Library in maximizing data-driven decision making through compiling and organizing system statistics;  

• Troubleshoot problems reported by library staff, and, when needed, follow up with vendor support staff;

• Document workflows and standards related to all aspects of the library systems, services, and related applications;

• Collaborate with University Archives and Special Collections to develop and expand support for digital asset management and discovery tools, the development of interfaces, maintenance, and customization of ContentDM, BePress, and other archival utilities;

• Participate in research, development and other library information technology-related projects as needed;

• Perform security reviews, code and system updates, and backup and recovery processes for related library applications;

• Provide professional and courteous technical support for a wide variety of applications and systems; assist in identifying problems and provide reliable and sound technology-based solutions, as needed;

• Train library staff on systems and applications as needed;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a closely related field, Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Library Science or a closely related field preferred, and a minimum of three-five years of experience of systems administration and programming or web application development, in addition to a minimum of one year of experience working with library systems or equivalent experience, required. The incumbent must have the ability to respond to situations and systems maintenance work that will occur during weekends or evenings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with library discovery and delivery systems and tools;

• Experience working with Ex Libris Alma and Primo systems;

• Experience working in academic library setting and knowledge of libraries and digital library services;

• Knowledge of integrated library systems, discovery services, proxy services, and inter-library loan;

• Understanding of digital collection management systems and current access services protocols to access and retrieve digital content (e.g. Z39.50, OpenURL, NCIP, DOI, CrossRef, OAI);

• Knowledge of current access services;

• Experience in working with reporting tools such as Tableau, and Oracle Business Intelligence (OBI) platform;

• Experience in the design, development, and management of web interfaces;

• Experience working with APIs and web services, and Unix/Linux and Mac;

• Demonstrated knowledge of JSON platform and AngularJS;

• Knowledge of user-experience design principles, universal and user-centered design as applicable to libraries;

• Experience in conducting user experience and/usability studies;

• Knowledge of standards and best practices for web accessibility and ADA compliance;

• Understanding of authentication and protocols for search and retrieval, messaging and networking;

• Knowledge of and experience in supporting library specific software, e.g. OCLC, EZProxy, ILLiad, and library-specific hardware, e.g. label printers, scanners etc.;

• Experience with technologies needed to manage the enterprise environment including system administration tools (e.g. UNIX command structure, Apache, security standards).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Hands-on understanding of web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript/JQuery, XML/XSLT;

• Demonstrated proficiency with programing/scripting languages like PHP, MySQL, SQL, Python, Perl, Unix shell scripting or like programs/languages;

• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with Linux/Unix and LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP);

• Knowledge of Responsive Web Design and W3C Web Usability Guidelines;

• Understanding of section 508 accessibility issues;

• Familiarity with library data formats and standards (e.g. MARC 21, Dublin Core, METS, MODS);

• Proven ability to articulate technology strategy to non-technical staff and patrons;

• Ability to approach the development of new services with a commitment to responsive and innovative services;

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems on software, hardware, networks and computer interfaces;

• Ability to assess system performance and provide assessment and advice on technology related strategies;

• Ability to interact and develop working relationships with all levels of staff, faculty and vendors;

• Ability to effectively troubleshoot technical problems, isolate causes, and implement solutions;

• Ability to change priorities as projects expand or project needs change;

• Ability to learn new technical skills quickly and adapt emerging technologies to new domains;

• Demonstrated initiative and proven ability to learn new technologies and adapt to changes in the profession;

• Demonstrated ability to stay current with and keep abreast of the state-of-the-art technologies and professional practices;

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to be flexible in a rapidly changing service-oriented environment;

• Ability to work positively and effectively with students, faculty, and staff;

• Familiarity with PC and Mac hardware and software and strong technical skills around desktop and mobile devices;

• Highly effective interpersonal, analytical, and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop written project documentation, process procedures, and reports;

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to details;

• Strong organizational skills, including the capability for managing a variety of tasks and multiple priorities;

• Strong understanding of library services and technologies in an academic environment;

• Strong service orientation and awareness of end-user needs as related to library services and technologies. 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 7 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Salary Ranges

Grade 31 position, associated to Grade 32.