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Head – IT Service Strategy & Delivery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Posted April 25, 2019

The Libraries  

Serving three campuses, the University of Washington Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with collections exceeding 9 million volumes, over 500,000 electronic books, more than 120,000 currently received journal titles, as well as millions of scholarly resources in other formats. Beyond the strength of local collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, extensive assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries plays a significant leadership role regionally as a member in the groundbreaking Orbis Cascade Alliance and throughout the profession as evidenced by the number of its staff selected for competitive leadership programs and honored by professional association lifetime achievement awards.

 

Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies

Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies (ITS & DS) is one of five departments in the Research & Learning Services portfolio of the University of Washington Libraries. The department has 16 staff: 5 librarians, 10 professional staff, and 1 classified staff organized in 4 units. Staff in the department provide collaborative leadership and support for accessibility, development and web services (including user experience), digital collections and repositories, resource discovery and library management systems, GIS, the Libraries’ technology infrastructure, service strategy and delivery, and user support.

We are a collaborative environment, and ITS & DS staff partner with colleagues throughout the Libraries, across campus, and beyond on projects and initiatives to support the University’s mission, which is the preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge. ITS & DS strongly identifies with the Libraries’ values of user-centered approaches, collaboration, equity, creativity, and sustainability.

 

The Position

Reporting to the Libraries’ Director of Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies, the Head of IT Service Strategy & Delivery is a librarian who manages system-wide technology projects, identifies creative solutions to daily and strategic technology challenges, and supervises and evaluates staff in ITS & DS assigned to this unit. With other unit heads in the department, this position is responsible for ensuring that the services delivered by Libraries ITS & DS meet appropriate levels of quality, availability, and accessibility and assists with the management of the department. We are a highly collaborative environment, and ITS & DS in particular works closely across all departments and units within the Libraries. The incumbent participates in the planning, development, and implementation of the Libraries distributed computing environment, with an emphasis on services to the public and to Libraries’ staff.

Guided by the Libraries’ mission, vision, values, and strategic plan, the work is non-routine and requires collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and diplomacy. This position exercises independence, sound judgment, and leadership in overseeing large, complex, distributed, and high-profile projects. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who possesses a broad understanding of the factors that contribute to successful technology implementations within higher education and libraries. A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion; willingness to learn; creative approach to problem solving; and ability to communicate with staff at all levels is required.

Characteristic duties for the successful candidate include: coordinate development of the library’s nascent IT service catalog, serve as the Libraries’ representative to the UW Student Technology Fee Committee, coordinate technology support for the UW Press, assist with the development of a communications plan, and develop a more formalized process and workflow for the ingest of new work.

More information about the department can be found at https://www.lib.uw.edu/itsds/

 

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Manages the daily service activities of Libraries’ Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies. Supports staff in the department and external stakeholders to ensure public and staff technology needs are met. This is achieved through appropriate communication, project oversight and management, and identifying creative solutions for a wide range of operational needs.
  • Contributes to the management of ITS & DS, and the Libraries, through participation in the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs, coordinating and cooperating with all areas as appropriate.
  • Supervises staff of the unit. Recommends hiring and termination of staff; ensures that staff receive appropriate training and supervision, and the support they need to excel at their jobs. As required, may direct or oversee the work of other staff in the department.
  • Assumes a leadership role in evaluating the technology needs of end-users and library staff. Participates in the prioritization, design, development, testing, and implementation of appropriate and accessible solutions to meet those needs. Consults and collaborates with stakeholders as needed.
  • Plays an active role in staying informed and participating in Libraries and unit meetings, activities, and events.
  • Participates in Libraries- or University-wide committees, task forces, and teams as appropriate.
  • Represents the needs and priorities of ITS & DS to Libraries and campus stakeholders.
  • Communicates and interacts appropriately, effectively, and positively.

 

Rank

Position will be at rank of Senior Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian, depending on qualifications and background. See the Librarian Personnel Code for librarian rank appointment criteria, https://www.lib.uw.edu/about/employment/hr/libpersonnelcode/view

 

Benefits

Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the University of Washington Retirement Plan on a matching basis. This is a full-time, 12-month appointment. Vacation is accrued at the rate of 26 working days per year; sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. No state or local income tax.

 

Salary

$60,000 minimum. Salary commensurate with qualifications and background.

 

Anticipated Start Date

While we hope to fill the position by August 2019, we are happy to work with the successful candidate to explore opportunities for an earlier or later start date.

 

Qualifications

Required

  • Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent graduate library science or information studies degree.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.
  • Minimum one year post-graduate experience with a strong foundation in library technology principles and practices.
  • Demonstrated awareness of technologies commonly used in academic libraries as well as the ability to evaluate their strengths/weaknesses.  
  • Demonstrated user-centered service philosophy and proven ability to work with colleagues and users who possess varying degrees of technical expertise.
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and with others in a demanding and rapidly changing environment where consultation, collaboration, and effective working relationships are essential.
  • Strong organizational skills, including evidence of ability to successfully initiate, track, and manage projects.
  • Evidence of strong written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to write clear technical and procedural documentation.

Preferred

  • Successful supervisory experience.
  • Familiarity with web standards, accessibility, and practices (WCAG 2.1, Section 508, etc.).
  • Experience in an academic research library.
  • Familiarity and/or experience with IT service management principles.
  • Familiarity or experience with ContentDM, DSpace, Hyrax/Samvera, ESRI ArcGIS, Ex Libris Alma/Primo, Plone, and/or similar services.
  • Familiarity with vendor negotiation and/or software licensing.

 

Application Instructions

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm EST on Friday, May 31, 2019. To ensure consideration, applications must be completed in Interfolio by this time, through the following link.

The following documents are required as part of your application for this vacancy:

  • Cover letter (addressed to Laura Lillard, Director, Libraries Human Resources)
  • Curriculum vitae or resume (include a telephone number, mailing address, email address and salary requirements)
  • List of three references who are knowledgeable of your qualifications for this position, one of which must be your current supervisor (include telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses)
  • Equity Diversity Inclusion (EDI) Statement*

 

*UW Libraries Equity Diversity Inclusion (EDI) Statement Guidelines

Equity is a core value of the UW Libraries and an integral component of the Libraries 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. We aspire to become a truly inclusive and equitable organization. In your application, please include a separate statement of no more than 300 words that describes your potential to support and contribute to the Libraries’ commitment to providing equitable services and resources to all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status.

University of Washington Libraries Home Page is http://www.lib.washington.edu.

For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodations, please contact Laura Lillard at [email protected].

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