Ascension LLC is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Metadata Workflow Analyst to support the Library of Congress metadata creation and cataloging workflow. This role is designed for a candidate who understands how to track work in production environments, translate operational data into meaningful reports, and help project teams maintain visibility into backlog, throughput, quality trends, and workflow status.

The Library of Congress requirement focuses on English-language materials in the Cataloging in Publication, or CIP, workflow. The CIP Program supports the creation of catalog records in advance of publication and works with U.S. publishers to receive electronic book galleys or key title information before publication. The contractor team is expected to support cataloging services in a virtual environment using PrePub Book Link, including work associated with older materials in the workflow.

This position is important because successful metadata production depends not only on expert cataloging, but also on disciplined workflow monitoring, production reporting, issue tracking, and timely communication across the project team. The Metadata Workflow Analyst will help Ascension and the customer understand what work is pending, what has been completed, where bottlenecks exist, and what actions are needed to keep production moving.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Metadata Workflow Analyst will support day-to-day production visibility for the Library of Congress metadata creation effort by tracking cataloging assignments, monitoring backlog status, preparing recurring production reports, validating workflow data, supporting quality control coordination, and maintaining project documentation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a structured, deadline-driven environment where accuracy, consistency, and responsiveness are essential.

The candidate should bring strong analytical thinking, excellent spreadsheet and reporting skills, and the ability to work across cataloging, quality review, and project management functions. While this is not expected to be the primary cataloging position, the candidate should understand library metadata concepts well enough to communicate effectively with cataloging librarians, metadata specialists, NACO authority control specialists, and quality control personnel.

The Metadata Workflow Analyst will help solve operational visibility challenges by ensuring that the team has reliable, current, and well-organized information on workload, status, aging items, production trends, open issues, and quality review outcomes. The role will likely use tools and processes such as Microsoft Excel, SharePoint or Teams, production trackers, issue logs, quality review logs, status dashboards, meeting notes, action item registers, and customer-approved reporting templates.

Ascension’s relevant capability base includes data analysis, reporting, analytics, data visualization, dashboard development, metrics and KPI development, knowledge management, workflow automation, and program analysis support. Ascension’s GSA MAS also includes an Operations Research / Management Analyst I labor category requiring a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience, aligned to analysis, reporting, performance metrics, presentations, research, and documentation support.

Anticipated Day-to-Day Activities

• Track metadata production assignments, backlog status, workflow movement, and completion progress across assigned CIP workstreams.
• Monitor older materials in the workflow and help identify items requiring follow-up, escalation, reassignment, or management attention.
• Compile weekly, monthly, and ad hoc production reports showing volume received, volume completed, aging items, pending review items, returned items, and workflow status.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve throughput or reporting accuracy.
• Maintain workflow trackers, issue logs, action item registers, production schedules, and quality review documentation.
• Coordinate with cataloging librarians, metadata specialists, quality control personnel, and project leadership to confirm assignment status and resolve data discrepancies.
• Prepare status briefings, data summaries, tables, charts, and management-ready reports for internal and customer review.
• Validate production data for completeness, consistency, and accuracy before reports are submitted.
• Support quality control coordination by tracking records pending review, records requiring correction, and items returned for additional work.
• Document workflow procedures, reporting definitions, file naming conventions, issue escalation steps, and lessons learned.
• Assist with maintaining shared project repositories, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or other customer-approved collaboration environments.
• Identify opportunities to standardize recurring reporting, reduce manual tracking burden, and improve visibility into project performance.
• Participate in project meetings, capture notes and action items, and follow up with team members on assigned tasks.
• Protect sensitive project information and follow customer-approved data handling, records management, and access control procedures.