User Services Specialist

About Occidental College

Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.

What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academic environment. Small classroom settings where students collaborate with professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering their passion. A beautiful residential campus that offers students hands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation and divergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28 countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in one the country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy students routinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholar was named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidental also is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses, according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy students receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grant recipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attend college

Title: User Services Specialist

Department: Library and Scholarship Technology

Duration: Indefinite

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Collections, Systems and Services, the User Services Specialist provides public services to library patrons, both in-person at the central Information Desk, and virtually. Supervises the second shift at the Information Desk during semesters. Supervises student assistants and engages in their recruitment, training, retention, and evaluation. Assists with the Library’s tech lending program and managing the day-to-day operations of the Critical Making Studio. Supports with operating and managing the Academic Commons building and facilities and engages in renovation and improvement projects. Engages in a range of resource-sharing, communications, and assessment activities.

This position is represented for purposes of collective bargaining by SEIU.

Job Duties

• 35% - Provides customer service to students, faculty, staff and guests at the Information Desk. Manages the “Second Shift” at the Information Desk during semesters, from 4:00pm -- 12:30am, Mon-Thur, and 2:00pm – 10:30pm, Fridays and shares responsibilities for the Information Desk with the “First Shift” supervisor during intersessions. Supervises student assistants at the Information Desk and in the Critical Making Studio. - (Essential)
• 35% - Manages the Library’s Tech Lending Program and Critical Making Studio daily operations. Maintains the equipment for the Library’s Tech Lending Program and Critical Making Studio. Makes recommendations for expanding the Tech Lending and CMS programs. - (Essential)
• 10% - Manages circulation of books, journals, media, technology, and other loanable items, including staff- supported and self-service check in/check-out; replacements, and patron accounts. - (Essential)
• 10% - Assists with developing policies, procedures, and best practices aimed at providing excellent user experience. - (Essential)
• 10% - Performs analog collections management and stacks maintenance, including reshelving. Engages in inventory control and collection shifts, when needed. Gathers usage statistics for the purpose of assessment, evaluation, and reporting. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fields related to position responsibilities.
• Two years of experience in an academic library.
• Working knowledge of discovery and integrated library systems, such as Ex Libris’ Alma/Primo or equivalent.
• Familiarity with navigating academic library web sites and catalogs.
• Demonstrated skills in conducting online searching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise student assistants.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies. Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working familiarity with academic library access services, especially circulation and course reserves. Experience with troubleshooting technical issues.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $21.00/hr - $22.50/hr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.

Advertised: 29 Jul 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: