Job Description
The University of Colorado Boulder Libraries seeks an innovative, engaged individual to serve in the newly created Head of Sciences Spaces and User Experience position. This non-tenure stream faculty position will manage staff and reimagine roles, services, and spaces of two branches (Jerry Crail Johnson Earth Sciences & Map Library and Leonard H. Gemmill Engineering, Mathematics & Physics Library) and other Libraries Sciences spaces. This position, in collaboration with the department’s director, faculty, and staff will implement user-driven, responsive, and innovative services and collections that meet the needs of CU Boulder’s STEM community. This individual practices engaged leadership and management for nine members of the Sciences Department supported by approximately 25-30 part-time student assistants. Successful candidates will be expected to engage in professional service activities.
What your key responsibilities will be:
- Provide responsive management and supportive leadership to reimagine and guide the Earth Sciences & Map Library and the Engineering, Mathematics & Physics Library in fulfilling the University Libraries’ Strategic Plan and meeting the needs of the University and broader community.
- Foster an environment of inclusivity, collaboration, creative thinking and innovation.
- Support and encourage ongoing development for all members of the branch libraries.
- Ensure a high-quality user experience for sciences constituents by overseeing libraries user experience assessment and improvements for that population.
- Collaborate with Sciences department faculty and professional staff to coordinate outreach in the sciences department.
- Coordinate research and access services in the branch libraries.
- Support and further efforts to enhance access and discovery related to special formats in the sciences.
- Support branch collaborations with stakeholders in the libraries (e.g. the Government Information Library to provide public access to the map collection and related materials which are part of the Federal Depository Library Program) and across campus (e.g. efforts to tie in to student success efforts in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences).
- Collaborate with department and University Libraries colleagues, and participate in working groups and committees to support users and achieve the Libraries’ mission and vision.
- Advocate for open and ethical scholarly communication practices in the discipline.
- Research, creative work, and service in keeping with standards for instructors at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Additional Info & Requirements
What we require:
- Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent or relevant combination of professional library experience and terminal degree in related field conferred by July 2019.
- Demonstrated ability to advocate for and cultivate an environment that supports diversity, respect, and inclusion.
- Three years of progressively responsible library experience.
- Demonstrated success in leading projects and working in a team environment.
- One or more years of supervisory experience, with demonstrated success in promoting one or more of the following: teamwork, collaboration, mentoring, supporting professional growth.
- Demonstrated record of success in one or more of the following: outreach, reference, instruction.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, problem solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions in situations with multiple and complex variables.
Evidence of any of the following will enhance a candidacy:
- Two or more years of experience supervising and managing a team of full-time employees.
- Demonstrated success in user experience design and research.
- Understanding of and interest in the research lifecycle in STEM.
- Experience working in a branch library or libraries.
- Successful record of change management or implementation.
- Academic library experience.
- Library experience serving a STEM population.
The Community
About the University and Libraries
As the flagship University of a multi-campus system in the State of Colorado, CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners situated on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)—and the only member in the Rocky Mountain region—we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
CU-Boulder has blossomed in size and quality since we opened our doors in 1877—attracting superb faculty, staff, and students and building strong programs in the sciences, engineering, business, law, arts, humanities, education, music, and many other disciplines.
Today, with our sights set on becoming the standard for the great comprehensive public research universities of the new century, we strive to serve the people of Colorado and to engage with the world through excellence in our teaching, research, creative work, and service. The University Libraries faculty and staff are diverse, talented, and passionate people who share this vision and mission. Librarians are engaged at all levels of the campus and hold full faculty status and rank. The Libraries, a member of the Association of Research Libraries, holds the largest collection in the Rocky Mountain region with over 12 million books, periodicals, government publications, audio-visual materials, microforms, maps, manuscripts, papers and computer-based resources. The Libraries faculty and staff collaborate internally, with colleagues beyond the campus, and with our clients to advance information literacy, intellectual freedom, lifelong learning, the disciplinary growth of information, and the amplification of knowledge.
About Boulder, Colorado
Boulder and the surrounding area is known as one of the best places to live because of its spectacular setting, acres of open space, and vibrant atmosphere. At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space entwine into Boulder's cityscape nestled into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to approximately 90,000 residents, Boulder has a mild, dry climate with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Boulder offers activities for every interest. Over 80 miles of pedestrian and bike paths, as well as a convenient bus system, provide transportation around town and to the Denver metropolitan area. Photographers, music lovers, rock climbers, Olympians, artists, and others are drawn to this great city because of its scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and fabulous amenities. Boulder is just three hours from 11 ski resorts, 40 minutes from Denver, and moments from 43,000 acres of open space and trails.
HR Info
Questions may be directed to George Karpoff, Search Coordinator, at George.Karpoff@Colorado.EDU.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is recommended that applications be submitted by July 1st, 2019 in order to receive full consideration. The application must be made online at CU Boulder Jobs and must include the following:
- A cover letter of application specifically addressing qualifications for the position
- CV/Resume
- Diversity Statement
- This should be a brief (no more than one page) discussion of your vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Libraries and this position. This statement could include a statement of values, relevant information about one’s background and experiences, ideas for serving a diverse campus community, particularly in libraries, or plans for bringing new perspectives to research, education, and service. Be as specific as possible. Please see the campus definition of inclusive excellence here.
References will be requested at a later stage in the search process.