Job Title: Assistant/Associate Professor - Director of RIS
Department: Research and Instruction Services
Essential Functions:
As an integral member of the Criss Library management team, the Assistant or Associate Professor/Director of Research and Instruction Services provides vision and strategic direction for the department, which includes reference and instruction services, subject specialist liaison responsibilities, and Federal and State documents. Reporting to the Dean, the Director leads a team of faculty librarians and reference associates in engaging with faculty and students at UNO; planning, implementing, and assessing pedagogically appropriate instruction for library users; and providing in-depth, specialized research consultation and reference services. The Director maintains team-based working relationships with colleagues in the department, library, and the university in addition to fulfilling requirements of faculty status in areas of contributions to librarianship, scholarly activities, and service.
The anticipated start date is January 1, 2025, however, we can be flexible for the right candidate.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm. Hours may vary depending on needs.
Additional Duties:
Administrative:
- Plans and manages the operation and organization of the Research and Instruction Services unit. Establishes the duties and responsibilities of direct report positions.
- Develops and implements a vision and strategic directions for research and instructional services that support the scholarly activities of the UNO community. Plans, implements, and assesses pedagogically appropriate instruction for library users and provides in-depth, specialized research consultation and reference services.
- Encourages the exploration and adoption of new approaches to research, instruction, and outreach to students and faculty, including but not limited to Open Educational Resources, transformational agreements, research data services, and critical pedagogy.
- Directs overall program of liaison and works collaboratively with subject and functional specialists throughout the library to create an environment supportive of engaged scholarship, interdisciplinary research, and discovery.
- Develops departmental objectives and ensures their accomplishment within available resources. Reviews, evaluates, and revises objectives.
- Works closely with the Dean and other Library Directors on goals, outcomes, and evaluation of library services.
- Mentors department faculty and staff.
- Represents the Library at relevant University of Nebraska Consortia of Libraries (UNCL) meetings.
Subject Specialist:
- Collaborates with faculty in assigned subject areas to develop and communicate the availability of library resources and services.
- Evaluates and selects appropriate resources (monograph, serial, and electronic resources) for the assigned subject areas.
- Conducts ongoing review and de-selection of materials.
- May act as a coordinator between the library and database vendors in assigned subject areas.
- Provides general and in-depth research consultations in an appointment-based model for assigned subject areas.
- Provides general and specialized library instruction to undergraduate and graduate students in assigned subject areas, including both synchronous and asynchronous curriculum.
Assessment:
- Promotes the integration of assessment and evidence-based decision-making related to services, collections, technology, and physical spaces.
- Facilitates the use of assessment data in support of strategic planning and other library initiatives.
- Manages data collection for annual reporting and survey responses including gathering, reviewing, evaluating, and synthesizing data submitted by library departments.
Other Job Responsibilities:
- Occasionally works night and/or weekend hours.
- Participates in department, library, and university planning.
- Accepts and implements other duties as assigned.
Faculty Responsibilities:
- Serves on library and/or university committees.
- Participates in cross-departmental projects within the library.
- Participates in professional activities, professional development, and scholarly research and publication activities as outlined in the “Guidelines on Appointment, Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Recommendations for Faculty Members of the University Library”.
Faculty Rank: Professional librarians have academic status and faculty rank and are subject to library and university guidelines and criteria for reappointment, promotion, and tenure.
Terms of Appointment: Twelve months, full-time, Academic-Administrative with faculty rank. Salary and rank are dependent upon qualifications.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program.
- At least 2 years of management and supervisory experience in a library.
- Evidence of incorporating emerging technologies and/or innovative service models in reference and instruction.
- Knowledge of library assessment.
- Evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent interpersonal skills and effective communication skills.
- Ability to work collegially and to collaborate effectively with others, within and beyond the library.
- Evidence of administrative and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly sits; may stand, walk. See, hear, speak and use of hands.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly works indoors. Noise level is low to moderate.
Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 / Year
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number: 2024F-00143
Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants:
To apply, please submit the following application materials: Cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references (references will only be contacted for finalists).
Review of applications will begin on October 14, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by the review date. Applications received after the review date may be considered.
For additional information or inquiries, please contact:
Amy Schindler
402.554.6046
acschindler@unomaha.edu
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents:
- Transcripts
- Letter of Recommendation