[LIBJOBS] Position Announcement: Head of the Center for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement, Univ. of Kansas

The University of Kansas Libraries seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to join the Center for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement.  This individual will work with faculty, researchers, and students to integrate the Libraries into a variety of research and learning initiatives and will develop opportunities for librarians to actively support and partner in campus scholarship activities.    OVERVIEW: The Head of the Center for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement is integral to the success of our vision for the Libraries to advance scholarship through proactive engagement in research and scholarly communication. The Center for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement will focus on supporting KU’s faculty and research community, including KU’s research centers, through collaboration and engagement in teaching and research support to drive discovery and innovation. This center (in close collaboration with other library units and personnel) will provide higher level coordination and resources to support specialized initiatives and cross-­­­­functional teams, and will work closely with the Libraries Office of Scholarly Communication and Copyright. This position reports to the Assistant Dean of the Research & Learning Division. “This is a tenure/tenure-track position.  Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or  Associate Librarian. Exceptional candidates at higher ranks may, in some cases, be considered. For additional details, see KU Libraries’ Criteria for Ranks  and the Libraries' Discipline Expectations.”

*Job Description

 

70% Professional Responsibilities Provides direct oversight and administrative leadership for the activities of the Center for Faculty Initiatives and Engagement including evaluations and other personnel processes.   Engages with faculty in all disciplines, campus research centers, and other appropriate University divisions to communicate, develop, and promote research and learning initiatives and integrate the Libraries expertise into faculty research and instructional support initiatives. Develops and capitalizes on opportunities to leverage technology to advance scholarly inquiry. Develops resources to equip researchers with knowledge of trends regarding the intersections of technology and scholarship. Collaborates with Research & Learning leadership to ensure the distribution of work for division personnel is appropriate for the successful design, delivery, and support of programs. Plans and directs activities in support of the Libraries’ strategic planning and cross-functional initiatives. Develops assessments and metrics that measure the Center’s success, and provides data for planning Center and Division work to meet the goals of the Libraries’.   Works positively and productively in a changing environment, providing a supportive work setting and a positive role model that demonstrates professionalism, a strong user orientation and a willingness to adapt to change. Fosters a highly collegial, collaborative and open environment with the ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships Demonstrates a commitment to advancing diversity efforts and contributes to an inclusive environment.   Contributes to the division’s instructional and research consultation support. Participates in open access, digital scholarship, and data management activities. Actively communicate issues implicit in scholarly communication and open access in discussions with colleagues and with the KU community. Attends training and events designed and developed to promote understanding of trends and best practices in scholarly communications. Reflects this understanding in his or her work as a librarian at KU. Actively participate in, and advocates for, the educational role of the Libraries through dynamic engagement in campus teaching and research, campus collaborations, or staff development and training.  Identifies and makes use of teaching opportunities in any circumstance, promotes the Libraries instructional resources and support, and obtains instructional expertise from colleagues as appropriate. Actively participates in and contributes to strategic professional development and training for Division staff and other stakeholders. 20% Research Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activities.  Research may include the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry or editorial work. 10% Service Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements.

 

*Required Qualifications

 

ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent from a foreign institution. One year of full-time work experience providing research and/or instructional support in an academic library or in an academic department or program. One year of experience supervising full-time employees. Effective written communication skills as demonstrated by the candidate’s application materials, and other examples of written work and/or publications.

Preferred Qualifications

 

Experience building and maintaining collaborations with researchers and/or faculty on educational programs or scholarship in a university setting, as demonstrated by application materials. Ability to work independently and as a team member in a dynamically changing team environment. Demonstrated creative thinking and problem solving abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact and work collaboratively with a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and other members of the community. Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and self-direction. Ability to use a variety of technological applications in research and classroom contexts. Knowledge of assessment software, trends, and techniques employed in libraries and in higher education.

 

*Application Review Begins: October 6, 2016

Contact Information to Candidates

 

Leah Nelson, leahnel@ku.edu