The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential legal education, a recognized innovator in legal pedagogy, and the home of multiple nationally-recognized programs and centers, including a Top 10 program in legal research and writing. Housed in a state-of-the-art, LEED Gold facility on the campus of the University of Denver, the Westminster Law Library supports cutting-edge faculty research, trains students in legal research across multiple subject matter areas, and familiarizes students with a range of technologies relevant to modern-day legal practice.
Position Summary
Occupying a faculty position within the Professorial Series in University Libraries, the Head of Technical Services reports to the Associate Dean of Law Library and Information Science and forms part of the management team of the Westminster Law Library. This position is responsible for technical services operations, including acquisitions, cataloging and metadata services, e-resource management, and institutional repository/digital projects oversight and typically has supervisory responsibility for the technical services work of a part-time staff member and student workers trained to assist with technical services.
Faculty positions in the University Libraries faculty series are eligible for long-term contracts and are subject to the University of Denver’s Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure.
Essential Functions
- Plan, coordinate, oversee, and participate in the day-to-day technical services functions of the Westminster Law Library, including acquisitions, cataloging and metadata services, e-resource management, and institutional repository/digital projects work. This includes setting new policies, procedures, and workflows, as well as regular evaluation of the effectiveness of such services.
- Participate in the Law Library’s management team, along with the Associate Dean, the Associate Director (Head of Public Services), and the Head of Access Services.
- Supervise staff and student workers dedicated to technical services.
- Lead the continuing implementation of a next-generation library management system and a new, campus-wide procurement system, including better configuration and utilization of such systems.
- Work closely with the Associate Dean in areas such as technical services planning, budgeting, monitoring, and assessment, including regular financial tracking, reconciliation, and forecasting.
- Lead the collection development team through regular meetings, oversight of collection-related projects, and regular evaluation of collection priorities.
- Work with the Associate Dean on contract negotiation and review relating to the acquisition of new resources and the renewal of existing licenses.
- Actively participate in the Certificate in Legal Research (CLR) program, an optional legal research training program reflected on student transcripts, through the preparation of instructional materials, teaching, and student assessment.
- Create and maintain asynchronous learning tools, including research guides, online tutorials, and other asynchronous modules that support library instructional efforts.
- Stay abreast of new developments in library technical services.
- Provide high-quality service at a combined circulation and reference desk.
- Engage in regular marketing and outreach with an eye toward possible partnerships within the larger University and the local legal community.
- Serve on relevant University- and unit-level committees.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of professional librarianship concepts, principles, practices, recent developments and emerging trends in technical services.
- Experience in original and copy cataloging and bibliographic maintenance.
- Proficiency in next-generation library systems, especially Ex Libris’ Alma.
- Experience working with procurement systems or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- A strong commitment to innovation, including comfort with technology and proficiency in a variety of library-related and other relevant technologies or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- Knowledge of basic legal research sources and legal research methods or demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- Strong presentation skills in both one-on-one and group settings or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- Strong analytical/problem solving skills pertaining to the organization and accessibility of legal information.
- Proficiency in tracking, analyzing, and projecting financial information or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- Supervisory skills or the demonstrated potential for rapid growth into such skills.
- The ability to work both independently and as a team member.
- The ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships, both inside and outside the Law Library.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Attention to detail, timeliness, and dependability.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A strong customer service orientation.
- The ability to work flexibly with faculty, students, staff, a diverse research community, and legal information vendors.
- An ability to work evenings and/or weekends, as necessary.
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Required Qualifications
- MLIS in Library & Information Science or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution.
- Experience working in technical services.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior work experience in an academic library.
Working Environment
- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often in library work
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Ability to sit or stand in front of a classroom for an extended period of time
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20lbs.
Work Schedule
This position generally works Monday - Friday on one of three general schedules (8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, or 9:30 am - 6:00 pm), which include one hour for lunch. However, law library faculty schedules may vary from term to term based on law library demands.
The Head of Technical Services is currently eligible for one day per week of remote work pursuant to the Sturm College of Law Remote Work Plan.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.