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Systems Librarian for Technical Services and Associate Director

Position overview

Position title: Systems Librarian for Technical Services & Associate Director
Salary range: The posted UC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See 26A for the salary range. A reasonable estimate for this position is $70,635 - $152,955.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: May 1, 2023
Position duration: Potential career status

Application Window

Open date: November 21, 2023

Next review date: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Library of the University of California, Santa Barbara, seeks a creative, user-focused, collaborative professional for an exciting opportunity to serve as a Systems Librarian for technical services and Associate Director of the Library’s Resource Acquisition and Discovery Services (ReADS) department.

The University of California has a deep commitment to its leadership role in the transformation of scholarly communications toward greater openness in the dissemination of scholarship. The mission of the Department of Resource Acquisition and Discovery Services (ReADS) is to support UCSB research, teaching, and academic success by making library resources discoverable and accessible. Implementation requires innovative approaches to content acquisition and management services that meet and support evolving transformations of scholarly communication, ongoing changes in the publishing market, and the transition to Open Access.

Reporting to the Director of ReADS, the successful candidate will provide leadership in planning and implementing the library's collection-related technology needs and will be responsible for the integrated use of library technical services tools and cloud-based applications, acquisition platforms, and related systems and resources. The incumbent will train and mentor acquisition staff and provide leadership in planning for the library's collection-related technology needs. They will lead the redefinition and implementation of ReADS acquisition policies, workflows, and processes. They will work with colleagues across the Library in a collaborative environment of an evolving system-wide partnership.

The Systems Librarian and Associate Director will join UCSB at a time of change and renewal. For the past two years, the UC Libraries have shared the UC’s first-ever system-wide integrated library system (SILS). The new system is transforming the technical services operations across all UC Libraries as they benefit from operational efficiencies and transformative opportunities, resulting in an improved end-user experience in discovering and accessing UC’s vast physical and electronic collections. The UCSB Library has recently formulated a Strategic Plan for 2023-26 and is currently working on several priority areas and goals, including strengthening stewardship and sustainability of technological infrastructure in support of information access and discovery. The Systems Librarian and Associate Director will actively participate in strategic planning and organizational transformation as the UCSB Library and the UC Libraries work together to build a more equitable and sustainable information ecosystem.
We invite candidates with initiative, technical aptitude, inventive thinking, and a passion for collaboration to join the University's global mission of leadership and academic excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the general direction of the Director of ReADS, the Systems Librarian and Associate Director:
Will serve as Associate Director of ReADS, providing department-wide strategic leadership. Serves in the Director’s stead as needed.
Will supervise two library professionals who function as unit managers with a total of 10 library assistants under their direct supervision and who perform various acquisition and technical functions. Manages employee hiring, supervision, training, coaching, and professional guidance to direct reports. Ensures that unit managers and library assistants have the skills and tools necessary for supporting technical services operations in a rapidly changing environment.
Provide leadership and promote awareness of new and emerging technologies to improve the library's technical services operations with a particular emphasis on tools and applications used for the acquisition of library collections and content. Responsible for the integrated deployment of library technical services tools and cloud-based applications, acquisition platforms, and related systems and resources.
Advise and collaborate with Collection Strategists on the implementation of new and emerging business models for access to scholarly resources.
Use various software tools to extract, manipulate, and report acquisition data from various sources, including vendor platforms. Create import profiles and utilize Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) available in acquisition systems for data retrieval. Collaborate closely with the Lead Library System & Applications Developer and broadly with IT professionals, bibliographic utility vendors, and ExLibris to identify, format, and coordinate the batch loading of vendor-supplied data.
Make recommendations to the leadership team on policies and operational changes and advancements related to acquisition tools and applications, including but not limited to systems administration decisions and ongoing maintenance in the ILS (Alma).
Develop and maintain acquisition policies, procedures, written reports, and technical and other documentation pertaining to acquisition-related systems, tools, and applications. Will provide assessments and analyses as needed. Develop instructional materials and training aids. Advise and train staff and students to use new acquisition systems, tools, and adapted workflows efficiently.
Work collaboratively with others within the library and across the UC system. Represent the UCSB Library on UC system-wide committees and ad-hoc groups related to technical services. Will participate in general administrative duties, library-wide activities, committees, and special projects. Represents the Library in local, regional, and national organizations.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

At the time of application, an ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science (or equivalent foreign degree) or an advanced degree in a relevant field.

At least two years of work experience in an academic or research library.

At least two years’ experience in supervision.

Preferred qualifications

Ability to build relationships and work collegially in a diverse, proactive, and team-oriented environment.

Knowledge of scripting tools and languages, application programming interfaces, and applications for data cleanup, such as Google Refine.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Excellent written communication skills, as evidenced by submitted materials, including the CV, Cover Letter, and optional but encouraged Statement of Diversity.

Experience working in a consortial environment with a shared library services platform.

At least two years of work experience with new technologies in higher education and an awareness of the impact they have on a rapidly changing library technology landscape.

At least one year of experience with data transformation tools, structured data, and data interchange formats used in retrieving and transforming data.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)

References will only be contacted for the finalist.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02640

Help contact: ahigham@ucsb.edu

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA