Sciences and Data Librarian - George Mason University
Location: USA - VA - Fairfax
Sciences and Data Librarian
The George Mason University Libraries is seeking to fill the position of Sciences and Data Librarian. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.
About the Position:
Generally, the Sciences and Data Librarian will coordinate, shape, and deliver resources and services by:
· Creating and delivering responsive and innovative general and subject-specific research, information, and outreach services through in person and virtual services;
· Instructing users in disciplinary research and integrating library resources into curricula and research projects, incorporating available technologies;
· Engaging and collaborating with faculty on assignments, course design, and pedagogical strategies in the fields of Biology, Atmospheric, Oceanic & Earth Sciences (AOES), and Environmental Science and Policy (ESP);
· Understanding, explaining, and responding to trends, technologies, issues, and needs in scholarship and publishing, particularly in assigned subject areas; and
· Developing library collections in relevant disciplines and sub-disciplines, and supporting initiatives in open access, open science, and open data.
Responsibilities:
Reference & Research Services:
· Provides general and expert academic discipline-based reference and consultation, research assistance and course support, including evening and weekend reference service as scheduled;
· Develops and implements creative library services, programs, and tools to integrate collections with teaching and research, including maintaining content for the library’s online and print guides, as needed;
· Collaborates with the STEM Data Librarian and the Libraries’ Digital Scholarship Center to support their delivery of research data services;
· Assesses impacts, outcomes of reference/research services, and programs in assigned subject areas; and
· Keeps abreast of curricular and program changes in assigned department and programs, and follows research trends and applications in open science.
Instruction:
· Using general and subject-specific knowledge and resources, develops and delivers high-quality instruction to faculty, staff, and students in assigned subject areas, using current computer technologies and appropriate pedagogies;
· Manages the Governor School information literacy program;
· Participates fully in the research and teaching initiatives of the libraries, including conducting workshops and training sessions, as needed; and
· Attends training sessions to maintain and enhance skills.
Collection Development and Information Management:
· As subject area expert, and working closely with faculty from assigned departments, selects, recommends, monitors, evaluates, and manages reference and research collections (in all formats) in the assigned disciplines to meet curricular and research needs using available systems and technologies;
· Works with special collections to identify and acquire archives/other special materials;
· Participates in system-wide shared collection initiatives and activities, and as a member of the Science and Technology Team, participates in setting and achieving annual goals and tasks as established by the team;
· Monitors trends and maintains knowledge, skills, and expertise with regard to relevant general and subject-area databases, relevant publishers/vendors, intellectual access mechanisms, resource formats, and library and information technologies; and
· Participates in the development and promotion of library digital projects and services.
Scholarly Communication:
· Proactively supports researchers on scholarly communication models, and promotes the use of open access sources and tools to faculty, students, and researchers;
· Helps researchers find and manage information and data, and critically evaluate and use research tools, platforms, and infrastructure; and
· Supports researchers in data management and data services in assigned fields. Builds internal and external partnerships to support this activity.
Outreach and Engagement:
· Develops and maintains effective and proactive communication with faculty and students responsive to user need, ensuring that users are kept up-to date on library services and programs;
· Initiates and strengthens communication channels and partnerships with faculty and students in assigned academic programs; and
· Effectively markets library services and programs, seeking opportunities to share expertise and knowledge.
Other:
· Advances library goals and plans through the LRE Division and the Science and Technology Team, as well as participation on library and/or University committees, task forces, etc., as requested/assigned;
· Works effectively and productively with diverse groups in a wide variety of settings;
· Participates in library governance activities; engages in university and professional service, research, and creative work as outlined in the George Mason University Librarians’ Handbook; and
· Performs other duties as assigned or needed.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants should bring the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to this position:
· Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program OR a certified foreign equivalent;
· An undergraduate degree in biology, neuroscience, or other related to the position sciences field (or significant coursework in those areas) and/or 1-2 years of professional experience in a sciences academic librarianship context;
· Experience in providing responsive and quality reference, instruction, digital and collaborative library research services, as well as practical understanding of the changing research needs of students and faculty;
· Experience in developing, building, and sustaining working partnerships and relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community members;
· Demonstrated ability to use current technologies for delivering and developing library services, including learning management systems;
· Ability to build collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships with people of varying backgrounds;
· Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, as well as in the systems and services we build, as an inclusive excellence imperative;
· Demonstrated commitment to professional development and growth; and
· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Preferred Qualifications:
The following education and/or skill sets are preferred:
· Master’s degree or higher in a biological science, or other science field related to the position; and
· Knowledge of or experience with data discovery and use in the sciences.
Appointment/Benefits/Salary:
12-month professional faculty appointment with rank; health plan options and paid life insurance; several retirement plans, including TIAA-CREF; 24 vacation days and 12 paid holidays; tuition waiver for self. Salary is commensurate with professional experience and academic qualifications. Salary at appointment is dependent upon rank: Librarian I (not less than $65,000), Librarian II (not less than $70,000), Librarian III (not less than $75,000), and Librarian IV (not less than $80,000).
The George Mason University library system, comprised of a large central library and three other distinctive libraries, is located on three campuses in the Northern Virginia-metropolitan Washington, D.C., region. Serving an R1 University, the Mason Libraries pursues an ambitious programmatic agenda in all areas that are key to a contemporary academic research library—innovative technologies and services, expert library faculty and skilled staff members, growing collections, digital scholarship, publishing, modern facilities, and transformational partnerships. For more information, visit us at https://library.gmu.edu.
Application instructions:
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, applicants must apply for position FA73Bz at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three current professional references. References must include name, address, phone number, and email address. Questions should be directed to Brian Royer ([email protected]), Office of the Dean of Libraries. Review of applications will begin April 8, 2023.
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.