Head of Research and Instruction Services

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title

Head of Research and Instruction Services

Posting Number

P0713F

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

Auburn University Libraries seeks a collaborative, innovative and user-centered leader to guide and direct the services of the Research and Instruction Services Department. The Head of Research and Instruction Services will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing innovative and adaptive pedagogical and research practices which utilize state-of-the-art learning spaces and support Auburn University’s excellent teaching and growing research enterprise. The individual in this position will lead a diverse department that includes information literacy instruction, information services, student learning and engagement, and subject liaison coordination.
Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, this individual will work collaboratively with the Libraries’ leadership team members to carry out the strategic goals of Auburn University Libraries. This twelve-month tenure-track faculty position requires professional and scholarly activity as well as service on library and university committees.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Lead and support library faculty as they engage in instruction, information services, student engagement, and liaison activities,
• Work collaboratively to develop innovative and responsive user-focused services and programs in the areas of information services, information literacy instruction, and outreach programs to support student, staff and faculty excellence in teaching, learning, and research,
• Recruit, train, develop, and evaluate a team of high quality, departmental faculty,
• Contribute to professional growth, development, and retention of departmental faculty,
• Mentor departmental faculty who are working on tenure and/or promotion,
• Supervise departmental faculty who plan, develop, and implement course-integrated face-to-face, online, and hybrid information services and information literacy instruction in collaboration with course instructors,
• Foster an adaptable, collaborative, and flexible departmental culture that is responsive to evolving library and campus priorities,
• With other department and unit heads in the Libraries, promote a positive work, organizational, and educational culture that supports professionalism, a collegial spirit, equity, diversity, and inclusion,
• Serve as a member of the Libraries’ Leadership Group,
• Participate in local, state, and national library professional organizations, and
• Participate in night and weekend duty as required.

SALARY / BENEFITS : Starting salary of $85,000. Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience/qualifications. This is a twelve-month tenure-track position. Benefits include 20 days of vacation leave/12 days of sick leave per year; participation in State Teachers’ Retirement System (mandatory); additional voluntary retirement plans available; health/dental/life/disability insurance.

Auburn University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries ( ARL ), Association of Southeastern Research Libraries ( ASERL ), HathiTrust, Coalition for Networked Information ( CNI ), and other organizations of academic institutions. The Libraries completed a strategic plan in alignment with the Auburn University Strategic Plan 2019 – 2024 which is available at: https://www.lib.auburn.edu/strategicplan/AUL_Strategic_Plan_2019-24.pdf .

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. Auburn University is listed among the nation’s best public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges edition for 2022, ranking 42nd among public schools and 99th among all universities in the country. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its Fall 2021 enrollment of 31,526 students includes 24,931 undergraduates and 6,595 graduate and professional students. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus.

Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000, with excellent public-school systems and regional medical centers.

Auburn University is understanding of and sensitive to the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples. Additional information can be found on our website: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/pdf/guidelines-dual-career-services.pdf .

Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master of Library Science or similar graduate degree from an ALA, or equivalent, accredited program at the time of employment,
• Three or more years of successful experience in supervising and evaluating academic librarians in one or more of the following areas: instruction services, information services, student engagement, or subject liaison coordination,
• Demonstrated leadership in departmental initiatives, including the ability to collect and analyze data, apply evidence to decision-making, and manage successful completion of multiple projects,
• Demonstrated commitment to user-centered services for instruction, outreach programs, and training,
• Experience with best practices in information literacy, including the ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education,
• Commitment to excellence in professional development to meet the ever-changing needs of a large research university,
• Excellent interpersonal and written skills; strong and effective written communication skills,
• Demonstrated ability to contribute collegially and productively in a team environment,
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in an academic environment, and
• Potential to meet university promotion and tenure requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in universal design and inclusive pedagogy,
• Experience in delivering reference and instructional services in an online learning environment, and
• Demonstrated knowledge of commonly used research tools for data analysis.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application review process begins June 21, 2022 and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected and recommended for appointment. A complete application must include a letter of interest outlining relevant experience and knowledge as it relates to the required and desired qualifications, resume or curriculum vitae, and the names of three current, professional references (please include mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers). The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment. For questions, contact the search committee chair, Nadine Ellero at npe0003@auburn.edu .

Posting Detail Information

Open Date

05/18/2022

Close Date

EEO Statement

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER . It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Open Until Filled

No

References required for this position?

Yes

If yes, minimum number requested

3
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Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

1. Transcripts
2. Other Documentation