Head, Research Services, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Posted January 14, 2017

UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers.

As the largest publicly funded library system in New England, the UMass Amherst Libraries are key partners in teaching, learning, and research at UMass Amherst and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Libraries are recognized internationally as leaders in such areas as Open Education Resources and Scholarly Communications and in the development of innovative student spaces including a variety of Learning Commons and the first large-scale 3D printing center in a university library anywhere. The main library building, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, is the tallest academic library structure in the world, named for the Massachusetts native, founder of the NAACP, and life-long scholar on the subject of social change, and is home to the Du Bois Papers, a 100,000+ item collection. Supporting freedom of inquiry, the Libraries foster a diverse and inclusive environment in which to engage with ideas and acquire the critical skills necessary for lifelong learning. 

The UMass Amherst Libraries seek a dynamic and innovative Head of the Research Services department, who will:

1. Provide innovative leadership to redefine the future roles and responsibilities of the department, expanding the discipline-based focus to include a functional model of library engagement.
2. Develop, implement, and deliver library research services and initiatives to support the scholarly and academic activities of faculty, researchers, and students, including functional and discipline-specific instructional and research support, scholarly communication, digital scholarship, and systematic reviews.
3. Provide overall direction for a diverse group of staff to develop and implement a research services program.
4. Supervise and mentor departmental personnel as individuals and as a team.  Monitor staff training opportunities to ensure staff have the skills and tools necessary for supporting 21^st century library services in a rapidly changing environment.
5. Empower staff to make independent decisions at appropriate operational levels, holding staff accountable for successful completion of assignments, establishing workloads and procedures, providing guidance and direction, monitoring and evaluating performance, and coaching and counseling as needed.  
6. Align departmental planning, priorities, goals, objectives and services with strategic initiatives of the Libraries and the University.
7. Develop metrics for success and analyze trends to continually evaluate services and their impact.
8. Use data and assessment techniques to support evidence-based changes to services, programs and the usesr experience.
9. Formulate, revise, and implement policies and procedures in response to evolving operational needs. Interpret such policies and procedures for students, faculty and staff as necessary.
10. Serve as a liaison to assigned academic departments.
11. Oversee the development of web sites, tutorials, and/or other online tools in support of discipline-based instruction and research support.
12. Collaborate closely on research service projects with all relevant library stakeholders including Undergraduate Teaching & Learning Services, Science & Engineering Library, Information Resource Management, Special Collections & University Archives, and especially Scholarly Communication.
13. Monitor, select, and assess (evaluate) collection and information resources in all formats in support of the teaching and research needs of relevant academic departments and programs.
14. Work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
15. Participate in library-wide planning and governance, work in a shared decision-making environment, and serve as a member of the Library’s Senior Management Group and other library committees and working groups.
16. Represent the Libraries on appropriate campus committees, and at selected professional meetings and conferences as required.
17. Maintain current knowledge of trends and best practices as they relate to library services. Attend professional development activities as assigned or required to meet departmental goals and objectives.
18. Perform other related duties as assigned or required to meet department and university goals and objectives.

Required Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in library science – or equivalent degree – from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience.
2. Minimum of five years of successful supervisory, management and leadership experience in an academic library, along with the ability to articulate vision, set direction, and accomplish initiatives in a rapidly changing environment.  
3. Demonstrated expertise in developing services with high-level support for faculty research needs,
4. Demonstrated understanding of changes in academic library research trends, and the ability to analyze, implement and adapt to evolving services and technologies.
5. Excellent organizational skills and effectiveness in balancing multiple assignments and projects.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work successfully in an intensely collaborative environment with a broad range of people from culturally diverse backgrounds including colleagues, administrators, students, faculty, donors, and alumni.
7. Experience in applying innovative instructional techniques.
8. Experience facilitating groups.
9. Commitment to professional development.
10. Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent with both law and with university policy.
11. Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
12. Advanced degree in subject area, mentoring experience, and successful experience in grant writing, preferred.
13. Working knowledge of at least one foreign language, preferred.

SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Application Instructions:

Please apply online at http://umass.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=80266 and submit a complete application, including: letter of application, resume, and contact information (phone and email) for three professional references by February 20, 2017 for priority consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is strongly committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. As part of a commitment to its own multicultural community, the Libraries seek an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace University initiatives and aspirations. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.