Associate Librarian or Librarian - Director, Learning Services & Social Sciences

Position Overview

Organization: University Libraries

Title: Associate Librarian or Librarian - Director, Learning Services & Social Sciences

Position Details

Position Description

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND THE UW LIBRARIES

The University of Washington is one of the best universities in the world, ranked No. 18 globally by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and No. 6 globally and No. 2 among U.S. public institutions by US News & World Report. The UW receives more federal research dollars than any other U.S. public university; in FY23, the UW received $1.87 billion total research awards (federal and non-federal sources). For more information, please visit the UW home page.

Serving all three UW campuses, the Libraries is an integral partner in the education, research, clinical care, and service mission of the University. Beyond the strength of its extensive collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent programs and services, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism into all aspects of our work and organizational culture. Learn more about the UW Libraries online.

RESEARCH AND LEARNING SERVICES

Research & Learning Services provides user-centered services to the UW Community through support for research, teaching, and learning. Composed of nine departments (Access Services, Assessment, Communications, Facilities, Data Services and Sciences, Learning Services & Social Sciences, Health Sciences Library, Open Scholarship & Publishing and Arts & Humanities, and the Tateuchi East Asia Library), the portfolio provides public-facing and infrastructural services to advance the mission of the University and the Libraries strategic goals. Units work collaboratively to build integrated services and spaces across multiple Seattle Campus Libraries.

THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Senior Associate Dean of the Research & Learning Services Portfolio, the Director of Learning Services and Social Sciences provides leadership, strategic vision, and oversight for the personnel of the six units comprising the Libraries’ Learning Services department (Curriculum Support, Instructional Design & Outreach, Odegaard Library Access & Building Services, Undergraduate Student Success, Reference Services). The Director leads the Social Sciences Liaison Team, actively linking subject and functional expertise to develop robust services in support of key UW institutional initiatives (e.g., student success, AI in teaching and learning). The Director serves as a representative to Libraries committees and cross-campus partnerships focused on teaching, learning, and student engagement, and is a core member of the Research and Learning Services Directorate. This position works with Learning Services Heads and the Social Sciences Liaison Team on initiatives supporting the Libraries’ strategic plan.

This position is not tenure eligible. Please see the Librarian Personnel Code for the librarian promotion process.

This position is eligible for hybrid work (on campus and remote), details dependent on telework agreement with supervisor.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• In partnership with the Senior Associate Dean and Directors, fosters cross-departmental efforts to develop Libraries’ teaching, learning, and student engagement services.
• Provides leadership in working with Learning Services and Social Sciences to plan, coordinate, assess, and refine core services in Libraries in these areas. Provides guidance, alignment, and communication on departmental initiatives that advance the Libraries strategic plan.
• Directly supervises and mentors six unit heads and other staff, and convenes the Leadership Team of unit heads.
• Works with Portfolio and department Leadership Teams to make decisions on budgets for departmental hourly personnel, operations, and selected endowments.
• Convenes Social Sciences subject area team and connects Social Sciences liaisons with functional expertise in support of teaching, learning, and student success.
• Collaborates with the Head of Reference Services to support reference and information services (e.g., 24/7 chat reference and information desks in Suzzallo Allen Libraries).
• Collaborates with other Libraries departments and campus units (e.g., UW Odegaard Writing and Research Center; Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Center for Teaching and Learning).
• Participates in and/or leads Libraries-wide and UW committees, task forces, and programs as appropriate.
• Maintains an awareness of trends in library teaching, learning, engagement, open education, course materials affordability, as well as trends in higher education and academic libraries. Represents the Libraries at local and national level in relevant professional conversations.

RANK

Position will be at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian, depending on qualifications and background. See the Rank, Status, Initial Appointments, Renewal of Appointments and Promotions of UW Libraries Librarians in the Librarian Personnel Code for librarian rank appointment criteria.

BENEFITS

Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the UW Retirement Plan (UWRP) or the state’s Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3. 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. A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found on our Benefits page. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

SALARY

The base salary range for this position will be $7,900-$10,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include a relocation incentive payment and a moving allowance.

ANTICIPATED START DATE

While we hope to fill the position in Winter Quarter 2025, 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/information studies degree.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and a more socially just society and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: information literacy instruction and pedagogy, instructional design and curriculum development, and/or student success programs.
• Knowledge about student development and needs in the context of higher education.
• Experience in partnering with campus groups focused on areas such as teaching and learning, first-year and transfer student experience, and undergraduate research.
• Interest in open pedagogy, open educational resources, and/or affordability initiatives for teaching and learning materials.
• Experience in change management, especially as it relates to helping groups navigate change and build teams.
• Proven record of skills in collaboration and relationship building, including both libraries and external partners.
• Experience in developing new programs and emerging services.

Preferred

• Social Sciences interest and/or background (in the form of a degree or prior experience).
• Experience in supporting reference and information services (e.g., virtual or in-person reference services).
• Experience managing/supervising in a unionized environment.

Instructions

Applications received by 8:59 p.m. PST/11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, will receive priority review. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling weekly basis at the discretion of the unit.

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, and specify current supervisor)
• Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility (EDIA) Statement*

For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodations, please contact Laura Lillard at

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or