Metadata Specialist (Personal Services Contract)

Position Overview

In accordance with grant requirements, the Meta Data Specialist will lead the development and implementation of agency-wide controlled vocabularies and Enterprise Metadata Management (EMM) processes. This role will ensure that metadata and controlled vocabularies are standardized, well-documented, and effectively managed to support data discovery, usability, and governance across the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The contractor will serve as the subject matter expert in metadata management, providing leadership on data standardization efforts and ensuring compliance with best practices and regulatory standards.

Essential Functions

• Develop & Implement Agency-Wide Controlled Vocabularies & Enterprise Metadata Management (EMM) Processes.
• Ensuring DPH’s approximately 60 data sources are well documented, and the information is usable and available to both IT and program staff across DPH.
• Implement and maintain department data request management and tracking system.
• Assess/Audit Data Governance Processes & Performance.
• Develop and Implement Strategies to Promote Data Equity on Metadata Management.
• Seek out and participate in trainings, workshops, conferences, or other options for continued education.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in library/information science, Computer Science, Database Management, Public Health, or another field with demonstrable applicability.
• Requires three (3) years of experience with data and metadata management, including ensuring that metadata is accessible and understandable for users.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience developing metadata strategies and standards for a wide range of data sources.
• Three (3) years of experience developing system specifications for metadata management systems or implementing a metadata management system.
• Three (3) years of experience creating business data glossaries, data catalogs, and data dictionaries for a wide range of data sources.
• Three (3) years of experience developing and implementing data classification systems.
• Three (3) years of experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, modeling cultural competence.
• Masters Degree in Library/Information Science, Public Health, Data Management, or a closely related field.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires use of an agency supplied mobile phone.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.