Systems and Applications Manager

Kenyon College is looking to fill a newly designed role of Systems and Applications Manager providing technical support for the administration of core library systems and integrations in order to provide excellent digital services to Kenyon’s students, faculty, and staff. This position collaborates with library colleagues and campus partners to continuously improve processes to meet evolving staff and patron needs while also providing insight and guidance around potential new services and systems for the library. Reporting to the Director of Collections and Access, the Systems and Applications Manager (SAM) provides technical support for the administration of and ensures effective utilization of the core library systems and integrations to provide excellent digital services to Kenyon’s students, faculty, and staff. The SAM serves as a principal contact with the library’s campus partners around systems integration projects and service improvements. The SAM collaborates with colleagues in the Collections & Access department, other library subdivisions, and campus partners to continuously improve processes to meet evolving staff and patron needs. The SAM provides insight and guidance around potential new services and systems for the library based on industry trends and updates from campus partners and peer/consortia institutions.

Essential Functions 

• Administer the content management system (currently Big Tree) for the library’s web site for functionality, service improvements, and accessibility and track usage of the site and compile usage data for analysis. Provide technical support for integrated library system (currently Sierra) across functional areas within Chalmers Library and in conjunction with Ohio5 colleagues. Collaborate with library departments on best approaches to services and processes utilizing library systems, integrations with Kenyon IT, and/or potential new vendors. Track product releases and new functionality for current library systems and coordinate implementation and troubleshooting with Ohio5 and consortial colleagues. Analyze existing and potential new workflows between library staff processes and patron services related to library systems for potential improvement. Advise and implement solutions using appropriate platforms such as ILS, discovery tool, course reserves, Springshare products and applications and other library and campus systems and services.

Other Functions

• Serve as primary technical contact with Kenyon IT for integrations between library systems and IT for such areas as patron information, authentication, courses, and financial data. Design and produce reports, dashboards, and other analyses in collaboration with library departments to assess impact of usage of library services and collections. Pursue integrations and connectors across platforms and college supported systems.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience with one or more functional areas within an integrated library system, preferably including system administration. Familiarity with authentication methods for access to resources, preferably EZProxy with Shibboleth. Familiarity with metadata formats, standards, and exchange protocols such as MARC, Dublin Core, linked data, XML. Ability to develop procedures and workflows, create and maintain documentation. Ability to think systematically to analyze issues and provide solutions. Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing and diverse campus environment.

Working Conditions

Primarily working in an office in the library but may also meet in spaces within the library and across campus to collaborate with colleagues and partners. Partial hybrid work options may be considered but with a majority of the week on campus. Occasional regional and national travel required for consortia, membership meetings, and professional development.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science and/or bachelor’s degree in information systems, or other field related to the administration of systems and data for organization and delivery of online information. 1-2 years of experience in managing library and/or IT systems or an equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education. Experience creating/maintaining code in at least one widely used programming language (e.g. Python, PHP, Ruby) and experience with application of APIs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in customer service or technical support for software applications, online resources, web technologies, or library operations. Ability to create analytics reports, including knowledge of SQL. Experience leading and collaborating on projects across multiple organizational units. Comfort with providing training and guidance to colleagues on best practices for workflows and processes. Familiarity with Extron products and systems, Accruent EMS software, Springshare applications suite, BePress digital repository. Experience with Open Source software deployment and troubleshooting.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. However, review of applications will begin on March 6, 2023.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. A minimum annual salary of $60,000 is anticipated for this position. In addition to salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 85% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health and dental insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.