SCIENCE LIBRARIAN

Occidental is a highly selective and diverse liberal arts college located in the global metropolis of Los Angeles. Founded in 1887, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. Occidental’s interdisciplinary focus encourages a hands-on approach to learning and includes one of the country’s best undergraduate research programs. Oxy’s 1,850 students from 45 states and 24 countries have compiled an impressive record of winning national awards. Our central location within the city ensures easy access to top research institutions, including Caltech, the California Science Center, the Getty Research Institute, the Huntington Library, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, UCLA, and USC. The Library advances the mission of the College by supporting teaching, learning, research, and other forms of intellectual engagement. We do this through extensive electronic, digital, and analog resources; welcoming physical and virtual facilities; innovative and inspiring programs and events; and excellent user service. We empower students, faculty, and staff with critical information literacies, vital technology skills, and a positive user experience to further their academic success and sustain successful lifelong learning in an ever-changing world.

The Library is seeking an innovative Science Librarian to join our Teaching, Learning, and Research Support (TLRS) team. The Science Librarian facilitates the use of information resources and technology in teaching, learning, and scholarship for faculty, students, and staff. Reporting to the Director of TLRS, the Science Librarian will interact closely with colleagues, faculty, and students in providing information literacy instruction sessions, research consultations, training on effective uses of educational technology, and scholarly communication. Early career professionals, including graduating MLIS students with a background in STEM, are encouraged to apply.

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

• Collaborates directly with mathematics, natural sciences, and physical sciences faculty members to realize the College’s and individual departments’ teaching, learning, and research goals; participates in related grants and other funding opportunities; and informs assessments of student learning
• Researches and implements best practices in digital pedagogy and instructional design in the sciences. Works closely with science and mathematics departments, and related academic support units, such as the Academic Master Program and the Center for Excellence in Teaching, to develop and integrate information literacies across the curriculum
• Facilitates effective application of information technology tools, methods, and materials of primary inquiry (e.g., geospatial, computational, statistical) to support undergraduate research
• Develops and delivers advanced workshops and advises students on research resources, methods, and scholarly practices across the sciences
• Supervises and mentors Student Assistants
• Researches and provides insight to the Library and Information Technology Services on emerging trends and technologies in the sciences; identifies and advocates for new scholarly information resources, learning spaces, software, hardware, and other needs specific to the sciences
• Tracks emerging trends in inclusive pedagogy across the sciences; in collaboration with librarian colleagues, experiments with new approaches to scholarly content creation and presentation
• Assesses work activities, analyzes and evaluates data, and compiles reports as required
• Develops, oversees, and participates in a range of associated special projects
• Complete other closely-related duties as assigned

 Required:

• MLIS from an ALA accredited program and an undergraduate degree in mathematics or a science field OR a graduate degree in mathematics or the sciences
• Good working knowledge of scientific research practices and methods in higher education; skills in using a range of scientific data and scholarly information resources; some experience with utilizing data visualization, geospatial, and/or statistical technology tools
• Strong support for the values of a residential liberal arts college education and determination to strengthen the academic community by employing inclusive pedagogy and providing equitable access to a rich portfolio of scholarly information resources and digital technologies designed to advance teaching, learning, and research
• Deep commitment to serving a diverse learning and research community of faculty, students, and staff
• Excellent listening, spoken, and written communication skills. Ability to interact successfully with faculty, students, staff, and other professional colleagues.
• Strong project management and presentation skills
• Proactive, intellectually curious, and self-motivated learner
• Energetic, motivated, and innovative team member and colleague who is comfortable working independently without close supervision. Team player who displays flexibility for working within a constantly evolving organization where responsibilities are shared across divisions and between individuals

Preferred:

• One year of experience in an academic setting providing teaching, technology, or research support to faculty and students in mathematics or the sciences
• Familiarity with Liberal Arts higher educational models
• Exposure to Ex Libris Alma/Primo Library Services Platform

Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position to resumes@oxy.edu.

First consideration will be given to candidates applying by May 6, 2022. Initial interviews will be conducted on Zoom.

Additional Information:

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https: //www.oxy.edu/offices-services/humanresources/benefits-information.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources (hr@oxy.edu).

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal, state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.