Dean of the Library & Learning Commons

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time, managerial position and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Note: This position is in the “NL” category of employment (non-fixed work week), and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY:

Mission: Ramapo College of New Jersey is New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement. The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.

Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, elementary education, nursing and social work. The College also offers articulated programs, including dental, optometry, chiropractic and health professions, as well as visual arts therapy and law, with colleges and institutions in New Jersey and New York.

Undergraduate students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 539 course offerings and more than 40 academic majors. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 23; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty.

The College offers graduate programs leading to degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education.

JOB SUMMARY:

Deans are responsible for the overall operations of their respective Units. As such, they are academic administrators of major importance to the College and report directly to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean has both the authority and responsibility for planning, budgeting, scheduling, personnel matters, programs and services, instruction, development, and other academic matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop, articulate, and present a vision for both the Library and Learning Commons and translate these visions into strategic goals by developing unit-specific assessment plan in relation to the College’s mission and Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
• Work collegially with the Library faculty and staff to ensure the successful implementation of the Library’s mission/vision.
• Facilitate outreach to and solicit input from the Managers of the Units housed in the Learning Commons building, as well as various stakeholder Divisions and Units across the College, to create and implement Learning Commons operational plans, programming, and initiatives. These should be aligned with college-wide goals by initiating, sustaining, delivering, or eliminating programs and services in accordance with Strategic Plan goals.
• Prepare reports, plans, and analyses to document and advance the Library’s and Learning Commons’ activities, initiatives, and development.
• Actively represent the Library, the Learning Commons, and the College to students, parents, community patrons, professional organizations, articulation partners, business and industry, and relevant constituencies. Advocate the roles of the Library and the Learning Commons and their services college-wide.
• Provide Library leadership in relation to college-wide goals by initiating, sustaining, delivering, or eliminating programs and services in accordance with Strategic Plan goals.
• Develop new programs and services and review and revise existing programs and services with Library faculty, which align with student, faculty, and Ramapo community need and available resources. Contribute to ensuring successful external accreditation. Facilitate Library activities at the unit level to seamlessly integrate the Library’s goals with all-college goals.
• Coordinate the development of new programs and services and suggest the review and revision of existing programs and services to the Managers of Units housed within the Learning Commons. The programs and services that are delivered should align with student, faculty, and Ramapo community need and available resources.
• Assume responsibility for the Information Literacy program/initiatives and assessment through development and revision of learning objectives, appropriate assessment, and feedback to ensure academic excellence and integrity of programs in collaboration with faculty colleagues college-wide.
• Mediate between students, community patrons, Library faculty, staff, and parents in legal and appropriate ways. Facilitate the resolution of disagreement or conflict between Library faculty/staff and members of the Ramapo and larger community.
• Supervise the administration and operation of all Library special programs, facilities, computer labs, and spaces assigned to the Library.
• Ensure confidentiality of patron and library data.
• Assume responsibility for human resource management of Library faculty and staff. Develop long-range staffing plans to include new Library faculty hires, retirements, and adequate support staff who are aligned with program delivery, enrollment, and market projections; prepare job descriptions/ads and other documentation for all positions; appoint search committees and supervise the search process; recommend the appointment of appropriately-qualified faculty and staff; and render timely, professional judgement on periodic evaluations, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and reclassification.
• Develop and foster a culture that embraces and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst Library faculty and staff, students, and patrons.
• Develop appropriate and judicious staffing plans to maximize services. Support Library faculty and staff in scholarly and professional development. Facilitate ongoing technological training of Library faculty and staff.
• Assume responsibility for all fiscal matters at the unit level. Plan for, request, and disburse operational, travel, and other funds legally, responsibly, and fairly within given budget limitations.
• Assume responsibility for content and fiscal expenditure to build, evaluate, and provide access to library materials in all formats to appropriately support current curriculum and basic research needs of faculty, students, and staff.
• Ensure a safe Library and Learning Commons building and creates an environment that is conducive for study, gathering, connecting, completing course work and projects, and research.
• In consultation with the Managers of Units within the Learning Commons, troubleshoot and recommend any necessary modifications to or reallocations of the spaces, furnishings, equipment, Units, etc. housed in the Learning Commons building. Convene, as needed, the Learning Commons Stewardship Group or its replacement to ensure open communications and appropriate opportunities to provide input.
• Participate in college-wide and Divisional strategic planning activities, especially as related to academic matters. Develop/review academic policies and may recommend on all-college and Division policies and procedures.
• Regularly meet with the Provost (or Vice Provost) to discuss initiatives, opportunities, and concerns related to the Library. Actively participate in Provost’s Council and Deans’ Council meetings, initiatives, and activities.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Assembly and its leadership on college-wide academic issues.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs, Institutional Advancement, and Administration and Finance Divisions and various offices for unit-alignment with all-college goals and activities.

Participate in regional, state, and national organizations to further the role of libraries, librarianship, and learning commons

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

A terminal degree in Library and/or Information Science from an accredited college or university is required. A minimum of five years’ experience at the equivalent of the Associate Professor or Full Professor level in an academic library environment combining professionals and administration, as determined by the Provost in consultation with the President.

If the candidate is from within Ramapo College, the individual must be tenured.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of disciplinary/professional trends and higher education activities on the state and national level.
• Conversant in technological innovation and applications in libraries and learning commons.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Collaborative approach to governance.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment.

EEO STATEMENT:

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.

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