Forwarded from PACS-L. --bml ---------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 Sep 1995 18:10:09 CDT Sender: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU> From: Paul Evan Peters <paul@cni.org> Subject: ARL OSAP Senior Program Officer Position The Association of Research Libraries (ARL), one of the Coalition's three sponsors (the other two being CAUSE and Educom), would welcome applications and nominations for the position described in the at- tached and which was recently vacated by Ann Okerson when she moved on to Yale University Libraries. Paul Evan Peters Executive Director Coalition for Networked Information 21 Dupont Circle Washington, DC 20036 Voice: 202-296-5098 Fax: 202-872-0884 Internet: paul@cni.org URL: ftp://ftp.cni.org/ URL: gopher://gopher.cni.org:70/ URL: http://www.cni.org/CNI.homepage.html Association of Research Libraries Office of Scientific & Academic Publishing Senior Program Officer Position Description Purpose The Association of Research Libraries established the Office of Scientific & Academic Publishing in 1990 to advocate the role of research libraries as partners in the broad and vital area of scholarly communication. The OSAP generates new ideas, publicizes particular problems, and champions workable solutions, particularly through the application of new technologies such as electronic publishing. The fundamental mission of the Office is to develop and advocate imaginative and practical strategies for scholarly communications, electronic publishing, and digital libraries, in collaboration with higher education partners, scholarly societies, and presses. It is expected that the OSAP program will continuously evolve, encompassing the changing nature of scholarly communications, intellectual property creation and policy, and emerging digital libraries. The Senior Program Officer for OSAP is instrumental in creatively shaping, defining, and advancing the portfolio for this critical program. Current major responsibilities are described below. The Successful Candidate The successful candidate will be committed to advancing and improving the scholarly communication system, particularly the key role of research libraries as a partner. The ARL seeks applicants with a vision of how scholarly communications can be shaped and who can offer stimulating ideas and an agenda to facilitate this objective. Major Responsibilities of the Current Program Officer: -- Contribute information and encourage discussions among academics, librarians, and representatives of professional/scholarly societies and publishers about the transformation of the system of scholarly communication; serve as a spokesperson for the role of research libraries, and help shape actions that advance innovation in scholarly communication at costs that are sustainable for educational and research institutions; -- Work with the Association of American Universities on the research library action agenda adopted by AAU and ARL, serving as a key staff resource for the AAU-ARL Research Libraries Steering Committee; -- Organize initiatives to promote electronic publishing (for example, a discussion group for publishers of electronic serials; a symposia to inform publishers and librarians about e-publishing issues; an electronic preprint initiative; and other collaborative meetings and relationships); -- Publicize widely information on the opportunities and problems caused by current scholarly publishing trends; contribute to the development of programs, including the semi-annual ARL Membership Meetings; -- Publish and present papers on specific subjects such as changes in the publishing industry, electronic publishing, and copyright issues; -- Oversee the management of a database that identifies and locates electronic journals and newsletters, and the annual publication of the information in a print directory; -- Monitor developments in scholarly communication and serve as a clearinghouse for information on new publishing initiatives and on developments in the pricing of scholarly publications; -- Conduct specific research projects; -- Work with committees of ARL Directors as assigned, and with committees of other educational and scholarly organizations; -- Report to ARL member libraries through regular columns in the ARL newsletter, other ARL publications, and presentations at each ARL meeting on the activities of the Office; -- Manage OSAP project and revenue budgets. Organizational Relationships: -- The OSAP program is advanced and receives guidance through the ARL Committee on Scholarly Communication; -- The Senior Program Officer is part of the ARL Executive Office, reporting to the Executive Director. Working Relationships & Supervisory Responsibilities: -- Supervise a Research Assistant and the work of the Electronic Services Coordinator; -- Work with all ARL and OMS program staff to advance ARL's mission and to develop program elements for ARL's semi-annual membership meetings; -- Contribute to two ARL staff teams, one programmatic (copyright issues) and one operational (technology for association operations); -- Work with the Coalition for Networked Information and many other organizations and individuals (scholarly societies, university presses, academic publishers, associations, scholars, scientists). Skills: -- Excellent technology skills including knowledge of and experience in Internet applications, and training OSAP staff to work in these areas; -- A strong vision of what communications and information technologies can do to fulfill the missions of research libraries as well as of ARL, particularly in the development of electronic products and services; -- Excellent communication skills, particularly in public speaking and writing and excellent interpersonal skills for collaborative/committee work; -- A self-starter, facilitator, and motivator of others. Problem Solving & Decision Making: -- The job is highly creative and gives scope for a wide range of library and academic interests, including costs and economics of information, and/or licensing, and/or copyright, and/or digital libraries, and/or publishing, and other related topics. -- The greatest challenge is working under pressure to handle many projects, deadlines, and travel. -- The position requires advocacy for research library interests while balancing these with the interests of other partners in the scholarly communications process. -- The challenges of scholarly communications are large-scale, and the incumbent must be able to address grand problems in both conceptual and practical ways. Authority/Independence: -- Manage major program and line responsibilities for an operation with a $160,000 budget. Budget and expenditures are reviewed by the Executive Director. -- In dealing with member libraries, participants in events, and professional colleagues, this position is autonomous. In contact with other organizations, may represent and speak on behalf of ARL. -- Work independently on all assignments; ARL Executive Director is the supervisor and conducts the periodic and annual performance reviews. Core Qualifications: -- A masters degree and at least three years work experience in libraries, academia, scholarly publishing, or other settings that contribute to the system of scholarly communication. -- Recent demonstrated experience, at both a practical and conceptual/strategic level, in one or more of the following areas: academic or research library collections, services, and systems; academic information technology; building digital libraries; scholarly publishing. -- Demonstrated leadership or leadership potential in one or more of the areas above and a strong vision of what communication and information technologies can do to fulfill the missions of research libraries and of the Association. -- Ability to communicate and work effectively with senior leadership in higher education, scholarly societies, and presses. -- Proven public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills. -- Knowledge of and experience in network applications, including the Internet. Recruitment: -- The minimum salary is $42,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. -- ARL offers standard benefits including sick leave, 22 days vacation, TIAA/CREF. -- Screening will begin on October 2, 1995, and will continue until the position is filled. -- Please address the letter of application, along with resume or vita, writing sample, and names/addresses of three references to: Mary Jane Brooks Office Manager Association of Research Libraries 21 Dupont Circle, NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20036 ARL is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity in the Professional Workplace
