SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

Digital Research Services Librarian for the Sciences, Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western University, Cleveland OH

Posted May 14, 2014

Job Title: Digital Research Services Librarian for the Sciences

Job Description:

Title: Digital Research Services Librarian for the Sciences

Departments: Research Services; Digital Learning and Scholarship

Management Center: University General

Location: Kelvin Smith Library

Supervisor Name and Title: Brian Gray, Team Leader Research Services & Roger Zender, Team Leader, Digital Learning and Scholarship

 

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Digital Research Services Librarian (DRSL) is responsible for managing a balanced portfolio of four key activities in support of the programs in the sciences: (1) digital services; (2) client engagement; (3) collection management; and, (4) research support.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Digital services. Consult and partner with faculty and student researchers to support their research data life cycles by providing expertise in the digital project development and management (including tools, software, and repository).
  2. Client Engagement. Market to, educate and engage faculty and students about e-scholarship and forge new collaborations and relationships that extend the Libraries’ capacity to support the University’s interdisciplinary initiatives in the sciences. Meet regularly with faculty to learn about their research needs and delivering support in buildings across campus. Manage relationships including regularly promoting library resources and services, developing strategies and materials to promote curricular and academic goals, and conducting and analyzing user research through surveys, focus groups, etc. to ascertain the level of community satisfaction with library services.
  3. Collection Management. Participate in collection management, including the coordination, evaluation, and selection of print and electronic resources. Develop and implement collection policies and resource selection, qualitative and quantitative evaluation consistent with university programs and the library’s strategic goals, and oversight and management of annual budget allocations.
  4. Research Support. Provide consultation and guidance for faculty and student to discover and manage print and electronic information resources effectively. Keep abreast of new models of research within the sciences, and develop formal and informal methods of engagement that highlight the Library’s role in promoting and furthering this research.
  5. General Duties. Work closely with other team members to foster collaborative initiatives. Regularly engage in providing demonstrations to faculty and students of emerging scholarly resources and technologies.

 

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned.

 

CONTACTS

Department: The DRSL has regular contact with the Team Leaders to whom the position reports to ensure excellent service. The DRSL has moderate contact with staff on all levels of the organization to support the provision of library services. Occasional contact with managers and staff of other units in the library as required by projects.

University: The DRSL consults frequently with faculty, including assigned liaison faculty, faculty committees and other department administrators to determine teaching and research informational requirements to make appropriate information management decisions. Work regularly with faculty to develop, review, and improve information management policies and procedures. Consult occasionally with other campus librarians to coordinate information management decisions for the provision of library services. Consult with staff throughout the university to develop and implement programs for the delivery of services to students and faculty.

External: Participate in local, regional and national organizations to maintain a network of informational professionals. Infrequent to occasional collaboration with colleagues in OhioLINK and other academic libraries. Infrequent to occasional contact with vendors to support print and electronic resource selections in assigned subject areas.

Students: Frequent daily communication with students to provide assistance and information resources to support their education and research needs.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may supervise non-exempt staff, student employees, and temporary full or part-time workers.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Licensing: An advanced degree in a science discipline (Master’s degree required, doctoral degree preferred) An additional ALA-accredited MLS preferred.

Experience: The initial rank of the DRSL will be based upon the qualifications of the individual with regard to that person’s professional knowledge, abilities and skills; contributions to the profession through service and scholarly endeavors; and, professional qualities consistent with university and library values. Required qualifications include: professional-level work experience in an academic library or equivalent research setting; demonstrable understanding of the research processes employed in a range of disciplines with particular focus on the research data lifecycle; demonstrated expertise employing digital tools for e-research, including big data management and curation, text mining, research practices relating to data, preservation, and retrieval; demonstrated ability to lead change. Desired qualifications include: demonstrated initiative and productivity working in team based projects and across organizational boundaries; knowledge of national and international best practices in digital scholarship and data curation; familiarity with data management requirements of federal agencies; experience with grant writing or data management plan development.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS

  1. Job Performance. Must demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills necessary to complete all job responsibilities, and demonstrate the potential for a promising career in the profession.
  2. Professional Knowledge, Abilities and Skills. Must possess an advanced degree in an academic discipline and the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities within one’s area of specialization. For professional growth the individual focuses on developing and improving knowledge, skills, and abilities in that domain. Demonstrate a general level of expertise and competency to perform work at a professional level in the position to which the individual is appointed or assigned. Demonstrate knowledge of the mission, vision, goals and services of the library, and understands how to incorporate those within her/his own work. Has a general understanding of general management theories and practices.
  3. Professional Contributions. A record of professional contributions for initial appointment at this level is highly desirable, as well as demonstrated interest and ability to engage effectively in professional activities.
  4. Professional Qualities. Open to new ideas, and willing to share with others. Interested in engaging in continuous professional improvement.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office/library environment.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application information is available at https://employment.case.edu/psp/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL

Academic Positions Professional Jobs Outside of New England