Job Description
Job Description
Aleknagik Technology, LLC is searching for a qualified candidate to fill the role Metadata Specialist.
The Metadata Specialist is responsible for defining, managing, and maintaining metadata standards, schemas, and governance processes across DHA's enterprise data environment. This role ensures that all metadata-technical, business, and operational-is harmonized, accurate, and compliant with DoD and DHA policies. The Metadata Specialist directly supports DHA's Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) mission by enabling standards-driven metadata management that aligns with VAULTIS principles (Visible, Accessible, Understandable, Linked, Trusted, Interoperable, Secure) and supports decision-making, interoperability, and readiness.
Required Skills and Experience
- Clearance: DoD SECRET
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Library Science, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
- Certifications: DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) required or equivalent; AWS Certified Data Analytics or Microsoft Azure Data Engineer desirable.
- Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in metadata management, data governance, or information architecture.
- Demonstrated expertise with metadata tools including Microsoft Purview, AWS Glue Data Catalog, and Oracle Analytics Cloud.
- Experience in implementing HL7/FHIR, NIEM, and ISO/IEC 11179-compliant metadata schemas.
- Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity standards, HIPAA, FISMA, and Zero Trust governance models.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in SQL and metadata query languages; working knowledge of data catalog APIs (Purview, Glue, Redshift); ability to configure and validate metadata standards.
- Soft Skills: Strong communication and documentation skills; ability to collaborate with data engineers, stewards, and governance boards; detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Metadata Management (SOO Obj. 3.1 / SOW Task 1)
- Define and maintain enterprise metadata standards and schemas across readiness, clinical, and administrative domains.
- Support the Enterprise Metadata Framework and Data Dictionary, ensuring definitions are harmonized and updated quarterly with ≥95% accuracy.
- Collaborate with Data Stewards and Governance Boards to enforce metadata quality rules and policies.
Governance Process Implementation (SOO Obj. 3.10 / SOW Task 2)
- Operationalize metadata governance policies into business glossaries and schema registriesusing Microsoft Purview and AWS Glue.
- Document and maintain metadata governance workflows, including approval, validation, and publication.
- Provide input to the Governance Council for audit loops, stewardship accountability, and compliance enforcement.
Standards & Schema Alignment (SOO Obj. 4 / SOW Task 3)
- Ensure metadata schemas comply with HL7/FHIR (healthcare), NIEM (cross-agency), and ISO/IEC 11179 (metadata registry) standards.
- Configure schema validation pipelines in Glue and Redshift Spectrum to detect and remediate non-compliant data assets.
- Support version control of metadata schemas to align with emerging DoD and DHA standards.
Metadata Harvesting & Discovery Services (SOO Obj. 5 / SOW Task 4)
- Oversee automated metadata harvesting pipelines across structured (MS SQL, Redshift, Vertica), unstructured, and streaming environments.
- Normalize harvested metadata into ISO/IEC 11179-compliant structures to support discoverability and searchability.
- Ensure discovery portals (Purview, Glue Data Catalog, and integrated analytics tools) are continuously refreshed with trusted metadata.
Data Product Lifecycle Governance (SOO Obj. 6 / SOW Task 5)
- Document and track lineage for all data products to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Maintain metadata for data product versioning, archival, and transformation processes.
- Provide lifecycle governance metrics to support DHA's Data Product Lifecycle Playbooks.
Self-Service & End User Enablement (SOO Obj. 10 / SOW Task 6)
- Publish validated metadata into self-service portals such as Tableau, Power BI, and OAC.
- Enable role-based access to metadata definitions to enhance trust and usability across domains.
- Support training and feedback loops to improve metadata discoverability and adoption.