Position Title: Manager, Reference Services

Department: University Libraries, Access & Information Services (1704)

Classification: Academic Professional; Full-time; Permanent; Exempt

Location: Main Campus, Tucson

Reports to: Robyn Huff-Eibl, Access and Information Services Department Head

Work Hours: Mon - Fri 9am-6pm

Position Summary:

The University of Arizona Libraries advance the University’s mission through the active contributions of knowledgeable staff who choose cost effective methods of acquiring, curating, managing, and connecting customers to information services and resources and providing education in their use.

The mission of Access & Information Services (AIS) is to provide seamless access to technology, information and reference services independent of time, location and format. AIS facilitates the use of the physical and digital collections at the University of Arizona Libraries, while maintaining a safe, disruption free learning environment and actively pursuing and implementing new services to meet the needs of our core customers.

The Reference Services Manager plays a key public services role in developing, evaluating, and implementing innovative, user-focused services for delivering academic reference services to the University community and fostering an environment of responsive and welcoming customer service. The incumbent provides leadership, management and coordination of reference services across all sites for the Access & Information Services department and is responsible for providing research and instructional/training services for all AIS employees. The Reference Services Manager serves as a liaison to the Research and Learning Department, Arizona Health Sciences librarians, and the Summon Oversight Group; coordinates library knowledge base development (e.g., LibAnswers); and leads a library-wide reference working group.

This position works in an environment where team members are located in five libraries across campus: Main, Science-Engineering, Special Collections, Health Sciences and Fine Arts; libraries are staffed 24/5 and weekends to support the educational needs of customers and to promote a safe and secure learning environment in the various libraries.

The University of Arizona has been ranked on Forbes 2015 list of America’s Best Employers in the United States and has been awarded the 2015 Work-Life Seal of Distinction by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress! For more information about working at the University of Arizona, see: http://www.whyua.com/ .

Duties & Responsibilities:

Coordinates a library-wide working group focused on the consistent delivery of innovative, efficient reference services.
Serves as a liaison between AIS and other library departments to facilitate coordination of reference services.
Provides research and instructional/training services (e.g., database and citation management) for all AIS employees. * Creates new content and updates online instructional materials.
Represents the UA Library perspective with other units on campus, system-wide, and nationally around relevant issues pertaining to Access & Information Services. Reviews and responds to national and vendor listservs, keeping up to date with current issues and trends associated with academic libraries. Provides updates of pertinent information to the department and library.
Directly supervises up to 3 full-time employees, including all aspects of performance management.
Participates in reference desk rotations, mentoring of new reference providers, and provides reference performance feedback for all AIS employees.
Provides department leadership in areas of data collection and analysis, creating reports with software such as Excel, Access, Qualtrics, and Atlas.ti or NVivio to facilitate effective decision-making related to reference services.

· Through the provision of excellent customer service, develops and fosters excellent relations with faculty, students, and the broader campus community.

· Shares knowledge and expertise through scholarship and service as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least one year of professional reference work experience in an academic library.
Demonstrated ability to acquire new technology skills (hardware and software) and knowledge of systems, technology, and software used in libraries and higher education, such as integrated library systems (Innovative Interfaces Incorporated), discovery products (ProQuest’s Summon), Microsoft products, and course management systems (Desire2Learn).
Knowledge of technology and tools that support reference services (e.g., LibAnswers, LibChat, LibAnalytics, and LibGuides).
Demonstrated ability to provide library instruction/training and to foster information literacy skills.
Experience developing and delivering training using new strategies and instructional technologies.
Demonstrated experience successfully leading, managing, and supervising staff, including hiring, training, delegating, evaluating, and motivating full-time staff.
Excellent interpersonal skills and evidence of the ability to communicate effectively, judiciously, and tactfully, both verbally and in writing.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative and inclusive environment that values and leverages the benefits of diverse perspectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited institution; OR other relevant advanced degree; OR relevant combination of education and experience. (Title and eligibility for assignment to a continuing-eligible or year-to-year appointment will depend on the degree of the successful candidate.)
Broad understanding of research methodologies and various types of multi-disciplinary reference sources and their appropriate uses.
Demonstrated success in project and time management as well as analytical, organizational, and creative problem-solving skills.
Ability to streamline and improve complex processes, facilitating and leading working groups to achieve goals, and contribute to strategic initiatives and new directions.
Ability to develop networks and build alliances collaborating and negotiating across internal and external agency boundaries to meet common objectives, including skills to effectively influence, persuade, and promote the organization’s work internally and externally.
Experience in engaging in a cycle of assessment, including goal setting, articulating criteria for evaluation, gathering data, analyzing, and responding to results.

· Strong knowledge of issues and emerging trends providing reference and access services in academic libraries.

Salary/Benefits: $52,000 - $58,000 annually/DOE; full benefits. Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Opened: 9/15/15. First review of applications updated to 10/22/15. Closes: Open Until Filled. Applying by the first review date ensures your application materials are reviewed.

To Apply: Go to The University of Arizona’s new job board and application system and search for Job # A20288 or quicklink to http://uacareers.com/postings/5308. Completely fill in an application form, and be prepared to attach a resume and letter of interest that describes how your experience and qualifications are fitting for this position. Application materials mailed/emailed to the department will not be accepted. The UA conducts pre-employment screenings for all positions, including work history, academic, criminal and driver’s license checks. For questions regarding The UA Careers application system contact: 520-621-3662; TDD 621-8299 (M-F 8-5). For questions about the Libraries or status of the posting, contact Glenda Hendrickson, Library HR, 520-621-6429 or ghendric@email.arizona.edu. The University of Arizona is an Equal Employment Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer-M/W/D/V.