UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES

FACULTY VACANCY

 

Position Title: Student Success Librarian for Experiential Learning   

Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: Teaching and Learning Programs

Reports To: Head, Teaching and Learning Programs

Salary: $52,000

Available: July 1, 2021

Location: Knoxville, TN 

 

The University of Tennessee, a research one institution and the flagship institution for the state, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the collaborative and innovative Teaching and Learning Programs  team at the University Libraries. UTK is located in Knoxville, a vibrant city in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. The city, population 187,000, is the third largest city in Tennessee. Knoxville’s metro area (population 850,000), and the surrounding region offer a variety of recreational opportunities and affordable cost-of-living.

 

The Student Success Librarian for Experiential Learning develops, implements, and assesses library instruction and engagement opportunities that provide active, real-world learning experiences for students across disciplines and environments. The successful candidate will work in both self-directed and collaborative roles to advance experiential and service-learning initiatives across the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a focus on inclusive pedagogy that enhances the University’s land-grant mission and embodies the Volunteer spirit. The librarian will contribute leadership and vision to high-impact practices and collaborative initiatives, such as living and learning communities and the Dean of Libraries’ Student Advisory Committee. The librarian will contribute to the development of active and reflective learning experiences that meet students where they are, in in-person, online, and hybrid settings, with a particular focus on first-year and transfer student populations. As a member of the Libraries’ Teaching and Learning Programs Department, the Student Success Librarian for Experiential Learning will teach research and information literacy skills to undergraduate students across disciplines in support of UT’s general education curriculum; participate in engagement and orientation initiatives; and provide research consultations.  The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and will work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and campus partners to contribute to a shared vision of the Libraries’ role in student success.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Develop, implement, and assess experiential and active learning approaches and resources for library-led instruction, with a particular focus on first-year and transfer student populations
• Inform and engage  UT Libraries’ colleagues in conversations about experiential learning and high-impact practices and collaborate to integrate these practices into library instruction, engagement, and collection-building initiatives
• Teach research and information literacy skills to undergraduate students in support of UT’s VolCore general education curriculum
• Build and strengthen partnerships with academic support units and campus partners to align the Libraries' experiential learning and teaching initiatives with the needs of the University community
• Participate in a team-based approach to develop instructional materials, share best practices and pedagogical resources, and conduct assessment of instructional initiatives
• Support UT’s mission and strategic vision through campus-wide instruction and engagement efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate diverse populations
• Provide research assistance to UT Libraries users online and via consultation
• Participate in the Libraries’ student engagement programs and outreach activities
• Serve the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information professionals
• Engage in scholarly activity through publications, presentations, and other creative outlets

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required -

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent degree in relevant discipline
• Evidence of commitment to diversity and inclusion in a higher education setting
• Strong commitment to public service
• Knowledge of active and experiential learning methods in a higher education setting
• Evidence of ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse academic community, including with library colleagues and campus partners
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for promotion and tenure

 

Preferred -

• Experience teaching or providing support for teaching in an online or in-person environment
• Experience creating instructional materials
• Experience in assessing student learning outcomes
• Experience with student engagement, active learning, or experiential learning methods
• Experience providing research assistance to users in person or online

 

ENVIRONMENT

The University of Tennessee Libraries serves the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity.  As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation are key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 30,000 students at its Knoxville campus.  Demographically, 24% of all students identify as non-white, 24% identify as first-generation students and 29% are Pell-eligible. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include: seeking knowledge; leading with innovation and integrity; advancing diversity and inclusion; engaging locally and globally; and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.

 

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 Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries' collections and many unique services. Two branch libraries offer specialized collections and services: the Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and the George F. DeVine Music Library.

 

The UT Libraries is a national leader in 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 UT Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Library Publishing Coalition, LYRASIS, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other University of Tennessee System libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

 

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 put our principles of civility and community into action is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/.

 

Additional information about this position and the UT community is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/employment/position/student-success-librarian/

 

BENEFITS

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a 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, via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/85395, 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.  Questions may be directed to Elizabeth Greene, Executive Director, Libraries Administration and Human Resources, [log in to unmask].  Review of applications will begin May 3, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.  Interviews will be held using protocols in place at the time for social distancing. 

 

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.