Careers

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Student Success and Open Education Librarian provides innovative and high-quality programming and services for students at UMass Amherst. The work of the department includes cultivating belonging for patrons in the Libraries, designing and implementing innovative programming and outreach for undergraduate and graduate students with a focus on students from underrepresented and underserved populations, leading the first-year instruction program as well as open educational resources efforts and developing and supporting online learning objects and services. The position is responsible for supporting activities within the department in partnership with colleagues in the department, other departments within Research & Learning, across the Libraries, and on campus. The Student Success and Open Education Librarian serves a vital role in ensuring the Libraries are poised to meet the student success goals outlined in the University's strategic plan.  

Essential Functions

• Provides support for the Student Success and Engagement department’s engagement, outreach, and orientation initiatives for undergraduate and graduate students with a focus on first and second year undergraduates, first-year graduate students, transfer students, international students, student athletes, veterans, and students from underrepresented and underserved populations.
• Plans, promotes, and assesses activities to enhance students’ use of library resources, open educational resources, services, and spaces in collaboration with other departments in the Libraries and other campus partners, particularly with those who operate within library buildings.
• Assists with planning and assessment of the first-year instruction program for undergraduates.
• Supports Library-led open education initiatives, including, but not limited to, the Open Education Initiative program and promotes the use of OERs among campus and other constituencies.
• Consults with and provides support for the adoption, adaptation and/or development of open educational resources, tools and technologies for faculty and graduate students.
• Collaborates with campus partners (Center for Teaching & Learning, IDEAS, etc.) and student organizations, such as MassPIRG, the Student Governance Association (SGA), and the Student Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) to strategically align the Libraries’ open education initiatives with campus, state, and national directions in open education.
• Aligns planning, priorities, goals, and services with the strategic initiatives of the Libraries and the University.
• Forms and cultivates collaborative relationships within campus units and programs that support academic preparedness and student success.
• Keeps apprised of key issues and trends in academic success initiatives, information literacy, instructional design, learning support services, online and distance learning, open access, open educational resources, and research assistance, and regularly incorporates this knowledge into planning and sharing of information with library colleagues and campus partners as relevant.
• Serves as a liaison to assigned departments and/or campus partners.
• Represents the Libraries at specific library or university events to promote Libraries’ services, such as student-focused events, orientations, end of semester support activities for students, etc.

Other Functions

• Serves on internal committees as assigned and may be asked to represent the Libraries on campus committees, Five College Committees, and Boston Library Consortium Committees, and/or at other selected professional meetings and conferences.
• Participates in professional development and continuing education activities, including service in professional and scholarly associations, and presenting and publishing on work-related topics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required to meet the goals of the department, Libraries, and University.

Organizational Values

• Commitment to support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within libraries and institution.
• Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a diverse and fast-paced environment. 
• Purposefully promote a One Library environment for all that encourages inclusion, personal growth, respect, self-reflection, curiosity, and continuous learning.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent with both law and with university policy.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Graduate degree in librarianship (from a program accredited by the American Library Association) or related field by time of hire, or combination of an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and experience in libraries, archives, museums, or similar institutions.
• Evidence of understanding of the academic library's role in research, teaching, and learning, and the ability to use this understanding to serve patrons in a research library setting.
• Fluency with software for creating and delivering research support and specialized programming.
• Evidence of commitment to user-centered service to students and faculty in an academic institution contributing to student success and retention.
• Evidence of participation in professional development and continuing education activities, professional and scholarly associations, and presenting and publishing on work-related topics.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, service excellence, innovation, and creativity.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a diverse and fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, project, and time management skills to lead or coordinate multiple projects and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience providing library instruction programming (for first years, first generation, transfer, international and/or graduate students) in an academic library setting
• Experience working with and creating online instructional materials for underserved student populations, such as international students, English language-learners, first generation students, transfer students, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with instructional design tools and learning management systems.
• Working knowledge of open educational resources and online education technologies, emerging scholarly communication tools and trends, and relevant industry standards, structures and protocols.
• Experience supporting adoption, development and marketing of open educational resources.

Work Schedule

• The regular working schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, day hours.
• The incumbent of the position is expected to work on a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

Salary Information

• Librarian I or II
• Librarian I salary floor: $55,000
• Salary commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. 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. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.