Social Sciences Librarian
Position overview
Position title: Social Sciences Librarian (Represented; Assistant or Associate; Career or Potential Career)Application Window
Open date: March 12, 2024
Most recent review date: Thursday, Apr 11, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The University Library at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of Social Sciences Librarian. The Social Sciences Librarian will join a growing team of librarians seeking to understand and respond to changing user needs and objectives within an equity and inclusion framework. Under the direction of the Head of Learning, Research & Engagement, the Social Sciences Librarian will support the library's strategic priorities related to student success, teaching/learning, research, and scholarly communication in the social sciences. The library supports flexible work arrangements including schedules that combine on-campus and remote work.
For this position, we seek a user-focused individual with a teaching and learning mindset to lead the library in envisioning its role in support of social science research, teaching, and learning. The library has established social sciences support through our research consultation services, author services, Special Collections & Archives, and the University Library Center for Digital Scholarship, and looks to this position to identify new opportunities and pathways for engaging with social science students, faculty, and researchers. We especially look to this position to engage with faculty and students to develop compelling learning experiences that meet our students where they are at. We welcome candidates who are seeking to launch a career in social science librarianship and/or established librarians seeking professional growth.
The Social Sciences Librarian will serve as the library’s liaison to the Division of Social Sciences, and as such, will: lead the library in developing a clear understanding of the research, curricular, and scholarly communication practices and needs in the division; set a strategy for library support of social-sciences-related teaching and learning; and spearhead efforts to communicate and engage with the division on behalf of the library. This vision for the work of this position will be shaped by the research and curricular needs of the division as identified by the incumbent through their user research and direct engagement with students, faculty, and campus stakeholders.
As a member of the library’s Learning, Research & Engagement department, the incumbent will contribute to departmental services and projects and collaborate closely with colleagues across the library. The Social Sciences Librarian will be expected to participate on relevant library project teams, UC system-wide committees, and professional organizations.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the basic qualifications listed here:
- Knowledge of the ways that minoritized groups have been marginalized in higher education and strategies for creating inclusive, accessible, and antiracist learning environments.
- Experience developing student learning outcomes, lesson plans, and learning objects as demonstrated by professional experience or coursework.
- Experience managing/leading a project, group project, or program.
- An ALA-accredited MLS, MLIS, or a Master’s degree in a social science or related discipline, including education or psychology. It is anticipated that the degree will be completed by July 31, 2024. Equivalent foreign degrees will be considered.
In addition, applicants with any combination of the following qualifications or experiences are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize that the successful candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all of the qualifications/experiences listed here:
- Experience conducting user research to better understand/identify user needs;
- Experience teaching undergraduates and/or graduate students, developing online learning objects (e.g., tutorials, videos, assignments, etc.), and assessing learning outcomes;
- Experience consulting with students/researchers on library resources and research strategies for social science disciplines;
- Experience developing and assessing services to support or enhance research, teaching, and/or scholarship;
- Experience creating inclusive, accessible, and antiracist learning environments;
- Knowledge of information literacy principles and applications of the Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education;
- Knowledge of social science information sources including government, legal, and industry information sources and social science statistics and data;
- Knowledge of social science research methods and scholarly communication practices including open access, open educational resources (OER), and research data management;
- Undergraduate or graduate degree or equivalent training/work experience in a social science discipline.
UCSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to hiring faculty and staff who share these values. UCSC is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) with a high proportion of first-generation students. To be considered, candidates must understand the barriers facing historically oppressed groups in higher education, and, through education, teaching, research, professional activity, and/or creative practice, demonstrate effective strategies that support the success of underrepresented groups in creative, professional, and/or scholarly fields. Activities promoting equity and inclusion at UC Santa Cruz will be recognized as important university service during the librarian review process.
The successful candidate will become a member of the Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC). Research, publication, and/or service to the University and profession are expected for continuing advancement. More information can be found at the Librarians Association of the University of California.
Applicants are invited to attend an informational webinar to learn more about the position, the campus, and the University Library. If interested, please register using the links provided:
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from noon – 1:00 pm PT registration
Thursday, April 4, ,2024 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm PT registration
The attendee list will be hidden to ensure confidentiality. Attendance is not required to apply or be considered for this position. Live captioning will be provided via Zoom Live Transcript.
Inquiries and nominations may be directed to Katharin Peter, Head of Learning, Research & Engagement (kapeter@ucsc.edu).
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
University Library: https://library.ucsc.edu/
Qualifications
- Knowledge of the ways that minoritized groups have been marginalized in higher education and strategies for creating inclusive, accessible, and antiracist learning environments.
- Experience developing student learning outcomes, lesson plans, and learning objects as demonstrated by professional experience or coursework.
- Experience managing/leading a project, group project, or program.
- An ALA-accredited MLS, MLIS, or a Master’s degree in a social science or related discipline, including education or psychology. It is anticipated that the degree will be completed by July 31, 2024. Equivalent foreign degrees will be considered.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated Curriculum vitae (C.V.) or resume.
Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position, including how you meet the position’s advertised basic qualifications.
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement addressing your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review guidelines on statements before preparing their application.
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.
Additionally, for the candidates who are under serious consideration, the committee may elect to contact their references to ask follow-up questions.
Help contact: kapeter@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).
UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.
UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.
The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu