[LIBJOBS] Geospatial Services Librarian, Penn State University

Geospatial Services Librarian
The Pennsylvania State University Libraries

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seeks a creative and service-oriented geospatial services librarian for a new tenure-track faculty position, serving as the subject specialist for the geospatial services and collections at the University Park campus.  This position is part of the Libraries Research Hub, a collaborative effort to build a central service point within Pattee/Paterno Library for interdisciplinary research.

Responsibilities: The Geospatial Services Librarian reports to the Head of the Social Sciences and Map Library and will work collaboratively as part of the Research Hub’s Data and Geospatial User Services team (consisting of the Geospatial Services Librarian, the Social Sciences Data Specialist, the GIS Specialist, the Statistical Consultant, and GIS Interns) to provide tactical vision and leadership in developing and promoting a suite of geospatial services for faculty, staff, and students.

• Reference and Research:  Provide reference assistance and one-on-one research consultation for geospatial information and maps research at all levels in person at the Research Hub, in the Donald W. Hamer Maps Library, at other key library service points, and with our online learning programs (particularly with the GIS certification program).
• Liaison Activities:  Identify and cultivate partnerships with other university programs and departments on geospatial initiatives, particularly those with an emphasis on human geography and mapping.  Participate in the activities of key university groups engaged in geospatial information initiatives, including (but not limited to): Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA),  Geospatial Technology Program,  Geographic Information Analysis (GIA Core), Online Geospatial Education Program Office, Center for Environmental Informatics, and the GeoVISTA Center.
• Leadership: Provide strategic development of consultation services for geospatial research.   Develop geospatial/GIS projects for the Maps Library to enhance access to traditional collections.  Supervise GIS Specialist and GIS Interns.
• Teaching, learning and literacies:  Design and deliver a geospatial literacy program that supports the academic curriculum across the University.  Engage in campus outreach to introduce geospatial and GIS technologies to students and others.  The development of strategic partnerships for engaged scholarship.
• Collections content and access:  Evaluate GIS and mapping resources. Build, maintain, and assess collections of spatial data from university and local, state, and federal government sources, as well as from commercial sources to support research and teaching needs across the University.  Collaborate with librarians in related subject areas to identify spatial data needs.
• Scholarly communications:   Provide assistance in the use and management of geospatial data.  Knowledgeable of publishing trends with geospatial research.  Assist in educating and informing faculty and graduate students on scholarly communication issues such as open access initiatives, digital publishing, copyright, and digital curation.  Promote and provide assistance in the use of Scholarsphere, Penn State’s repository service.
• Research and service:  Engage in research, scholarly publication, and professional service activities in areas appropriate to academic librarianship and geospatial information systems.
• Diversity:  Support diversity initiatives that create a welcoming and inclusive climate at the University Libraries.
  

Requirements:   Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution or an advanced degree in a relevant discipline.  Experience with geographical information systems, and knowledge of ESRI's ArcGIS software.  Familiarity with geospatial methods, spatial data formats and models, and spatial statistics.  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment; excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; and the potential to achieve the requirements for tenure and promotion in the areas of librarianship, research and service.  Please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/policies/ulhrg07.html to learn more about the university Libraries Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications:  Relevant experience at an academic or research library. Understanding of new imaging applications and software for mapping.  Experience with a programing language such as Python or PHP is highly desirable.

Environment:  
The Pennsylvania State University serves as the land grant institution for Pennsylvania, incorporating a strong outreach mission into its instructional and research activities. Penn State Libraries are ranked among the top ten research libraries in North America according to the Association of Research Libraries Expenditure Index. The University Libraries advance intellectual discovery, information literacy, and lifelong learning, all in support of the University’s 97,000 students and 6,000 faculty system-wide.

The University Park campus is home to approximately 44,000 students and is set in the State College metropolitan area, a growing university town located in central Pennsylvania.  Set in a picturesque rural environment, the State College area offers a vibrant community with outstanding recreation facilities, a low crime rate, and excellent public schools.  The campus is within a half-day drive to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, or Pittsburgh. The University Park Airport is served by three major carriers with flights to Washington, Philadelphia, and Detroit.  For more information please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu and http://www.cbicc.org.

Compensation and Rank:  Salary and rank commensurate with experience. Excellent fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance, state or TIAA/CREF retirement options, and educational privileges. In addition, faculty in the University Libraries are afforded $1500 for professional development travel annually.  Faculty may be asked to travel as official representatives of the Libraries to certain events and those trips are reimbursed at full cost within limits established by the University.

To Apply: Send a letter of application, resumé, and the names and contact information of three professional references to Search Committee, The Pennsylvania State University, Box GISL-LIBJ, 511 Paterno Library, University Park, PA 16802. Applications and nominations may also be sent to lap225@psu.edu.  Please reference Box GISL-LIBJ in the email subject line.  Review of candidates will begin on April 16, 2014 and continue until the position is filled.  Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity of its workforce.