The University of Tennessee Libraries

Faculty Vacancy

POSITION TITLE: Head of Learning, Research, & Engagement (LRE) Liaison Programs

RANK: Assistant or Associate Professor

SALARY: minimum $65,000

DEPARTMENT: Learning, Research & Engagement

REPORTS TO: Associate Dean, Learning, Research & Engagement

AVAILABLE: July 1, 2017

The Head, LRE Liaison Programs provides vision and strategic direction for the University Libraries discipline-based liaison program to meet the research and educational objectives of the University. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Learning, Research, and Engagement, this position serves as department head for a core group of liaisons whose positions emphasize discipline-based support for research, teaching, scholarship and outreach. The department engages library users with the services, collections, spaces, and expertise of the University Libraries. The Head fosters a responsive, user-oriented department that works collegially to build relationships with students, staff, faculty, and the greater research community. Working closely with the Associate Dean for Learning, Research and Engagement, the Head has programmatic leadership responsibility for setting expectations and assessing the effectiveness of discipline-based liaisons. The position is responsible for coordinating meaningful marketing and assessment of discipline-based liaison programs empowering individual liaisons to effectively articulate and evaluate liaison services for the communities they represent. The Head advances the role and expertise of liaisons in collaboration with faculty and students across the research and discovery life cycle. Working closely with liaisons, other department heads and Libraries’ administration, the person in this position guides the evolution of an engagement-centered liaison model setting expectations for excellence in liaison programs.

This is a key leadership position in the Libraries and actively participates in management of the Libraries through Library Council and other committees and groups. This position has direct supervisory responsibility for tenure-line faculty liaisons and one support staff.  

Responsibilities:

• Work inclusively and collaboratively, across the Libraries, to contribute to the leadership of the Libraries’ liaison programs
• Direct and supervise a core group of liaisons, staff, and students in support of engagement-centered discipline-based liaison services
• Set and assess expectations and goals for discipline-based liaisons regarding support for teaching, research, and collection development
• Ensure liaisons are well informed in the research processes and practices of researchers and knowledgeable of research impact in represented disciplines
• Support ongoing training and skills development across the liaison program
• Collaborate across the libraries to develop programs supporting research, teaching, and learning experiences for targeted populations such as graduate students, upper division undergraduates, and others
• Facilitate communication within the department and other library departments
• Interact with library and campus groups, providing leadership related to the Libraries’ academic initiatives
• Serve as liaison to one or more academic departments or programs based on need
• Serve the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and cooperative efforts with other information professionals
• Engage in scholarly activity through publications, presentations, and other creative outlets

Required Qualifications:

• ALA accredited master’s degree
• Five years post-degree, professional-level experience in an academic library
• Supervisory experience with evidence of increasing responsibility in an academic, special, or research library environment
• Experience with liaison services in an academic library
• Ability to supervise and mentor librarians at different career levels
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills paired with a strong service orientation
• Experience working collaboratively in a dynamic team environment
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead with and without direct supervisory responsibility
• Demonstrated experience working with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated experience providing research consultations and understanding of trends in research processes and practices of faculty, researchers, and students at all levels
• Experience supporting one or more aspects of scholarly communication activities
• Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with University and Libraries guidelines for tenure and promotion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience assessing effectiveness of library services and programs
• Demonstrated skill using or teaching research technologies and tools such as Elements, EndNote, Zotero, etc.
• Experience with course management software, social media platforms, and web-based subject or course guides
• Collection development experience
• Evidence of involvement at national level in service activities related to the position

Environment:

The University of Tennessee Libraries serves the campus, a land-grant Carnegie university and the flagship campus of the state university system. The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus — through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources. The John C. Hodges Main Library, Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library, and George F. DeVine Music Library serve the Knoxville campus. 

The UT Libraries serves as an intellectual, cultural, and social center for the university and community.  We are a national leader in the creation of regionally significant digital collections; in support of open access though our digital repository Trace; and through a rich history of designing innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/learning enterprise.   The University of Tennessee Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, the Digital Library Federation, Lyrasis, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other UT System Libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

The UT Libraries participate in cultural programming on the UT campus, hosting a Writers In The Library series of readings, international and documentary film series, and co-sponsoring programs with campus groups such as the Baker Center for Public Policy and UT’s Ready For The World initiative.

The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment.  More information about how we continually strive to put our principles of civility and community into action here in Knoxville is available at http://www.utk.edu/diversity/. 

Additional information about this position and the UT community is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/employment/head-lre-liaison-programs.

Benefits:

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a minimum salary of $52,000.  Faculty rank and status; twelve-month, tenure-track appointment.  Library faculty must meet University requirements for promotion and tenure.

Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA, VALIC) with nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life insurance plans.  Tuition remission is available for all university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. Start-up funding in the amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for travel & professional development. 

UT’s Prospective Faculty Viewbook has information on academic support, personal support, and living in Knoxville.

Application Procedures:

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hiring.  In order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit a cover letter addressing the above qualifications, a current resume or CV, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three recent references to: Elizabeth Greene, Manager, Library Dean’s Office and Human Resources, 1015 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996-1000.  Application materials may be sent via email attachment to [log in to unmask].   Review of applications will begin April 17, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN  37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498.  Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.