THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES

 

FACULTY VACANCY

 

Student Success Librarian for Online Learning

 

Appointment Rank:  Assistant Professor

Department:             Teaching and Learning Programs

Reports To:               Head, Teaching and Learning Programs

Salary:                        Minimum $53,500

Available:                  January 1, 2022

 

The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), a Research 1 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. The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, active neighborhoods, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. UT is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

The Student Success Librarian for Online Learning advances the teaching and research mission of the University by contributing to the development, implementation, enhancement, and assessment of the University Libraries’ online learning resources and initiatives. Working in both self-directed and collaborative roles, the librarian will design, deliver, and evaluate online learning resources and technologies to support information literacy and research skills. The Student Success Librarian for Online Learning has responsibility for creating, maintaining, and assessing learning materials to meet defined learning outcomes. The librarian will contribute to an infrastructure of scalable and user-centered instruction, with a particular focus on developing approaches to connect individual learning objects to broader resources and initiatives. The librarian is also responsible for proactively engaging with others to learn about their online learning needs, for exploring new learning tools and technologies, and for communicating and applying these learnings by contributing to the development of training and best practices resources. The librarian will actively communicate and collaborate with colleagues and campus partners to ensure that the Libraries’ online learning resources meet campus standards, align with adaptive and assistive technology requirements and standards, incorporate inclusive pedagogy, and are appropriately integrated into University-supported instructional platforms. 

 

As a member of the Teaching and Learning Programs Department, the librarian will teach information literacy and research instruction sessions, participate in engagement and orientation initiatives, and provide research assistance. The Student Success Librarian for Online Learning  will work to meet students and faculty where they are, with a focus on inclusive, user-centered approaches. 

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

·    Create, maintain, and expand learning objects, tutorials, and activities to promote foundational information literacy concepts and course-specific instruction 

·    Develop, implement, and communicate assessment mechanisms to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of online learning resources

·    Design and facilitate training and best practices guidance to UT Libraries’ faculty and staff focused on the creation, upkeep, and enhancement of online learning resources

·    Work with the Office of Information Technology and other University partners to integrate Libraries’ online learning offerings with the campus learning management system and other appropriate platforms

·    Collaborate with librarians and campus partners to develop Web-based offerings  that enhance the Libraries' connection to student success initiatives 

·    Apply inclusive pedagogical principles to the selection of tools and technologies, and use these technologies to advance the discovery and usability of resources

·    Participate in liaison responsibilities to include:  teaching research and information literacy sessions; participating in engagement activities; and providing research assistance

·    Engage in research/scholarship/creative activity through publication, presentation, and other outlets

·    Serve the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information professionals

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must exhibit the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others to achieve common goals and demonstrate enthusiasm to meet dynamically changing needs within a culture of continuous learning. 

 

Required:

·    ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent degree in relevant discipline

·    Strong commitment to public service

·    Evidence of commitment to diversity and inclusion

·    Demonstrated ability to work in self-directed and collaborative ways to manage projects and initiatives

·    Experience creating online tutorials and learning materials, using software such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, or TechSmith Camtasia 

·    Experience delivering instructional content across different modalities, such as online, hybrid, or face-to-face

·    Awareness of best practices for Web development and usability standards, tools, and practices

·    Familiarity with one or more learning management systems used in higher education, such as Canvas or Blackboard

·    Commitment to fostering student learning through pedagogical best practices

·    Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to build relationships across professional and disciplinary areas

·    Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for promotion and tenure

 

Preferred:

·    Experience working in one or more learning management systems used in higher education, such as Canvas or Blackboard

·    Experience in assessing student learning, particularly in the online environment

·    Experience in developing Web content conforming to accessibility standards and practices

·    Experience with instructional technology or design

·    Experience in an academic library or higher education environment

 

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/online-learning-librarian/

 

BENEFITS

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a salary of $53,500.  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/94965 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 October 25, 2021, 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.