Head of Access Services

About University at Albany: Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of more than 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description: The Head of Access Services manages and monitors all activities of the Access Services Department including front-line services, resource sharing & reserves, collection maintenance, student employment, and shipping & receiving across the three University Libraries. The Head provides leadership to the staff, assesses the effectiveness of current policies and procedures, and plans for future services, technologies, and renovations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership for the Access Services department, leads the department management team, and oversees access services functions across three libraries.
• Works collaboratively with the Collections and Discovery Division Director and Department Heads to set division priorities and execute division-wide projects.
• Delegates responsibilities effectively, empowering staff to make independent decisions at appropriate operational levels.
• Establishes balanced and equitable workloads for department staff, provides staff with guidance and direction, monitors and evaluates performance, and coaches and counsels staff, as necessary.
• Collaborates with department management team to develop and deliver staff training.
• Develops and implements annual departmental goals and objectives aligned with the libraries' priorities.
• Manages departmental student employment and supply budgets.
• Develops and implements user-focused staffing models.
• Creates, maintains, and improves policies, procedures, and best practices governing access services.
• Develops user-focused services and effective staff workflows to ensure library users receive timely and effective services.
• Collaborates with other library departments and campus partners to ensure seamless service delivery in the libraries.
• Collects and analyzes statistics related to department services and facilities use. Prepares reports and makes recommendations for service improvements.
• Collaborates on space as service initiatives, including developing student-focused library spaces.
• Assesses and makes recommendations related to department technology needs
• Corresponds with library users to resolve complex issues.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• The Head of Access Services reports to the Director of the Division of Collections and Discovery
• The Head of Access Services supervises 4 professional staff members and 1 clerical staff member:
  • Assistant Head of Access Services
  • Access Services Operations & Technology Coordinator
  • Resource Sharing and Reserves Coordinator
  • Access Services Evening Associate
  • Access Services Student Supervisor

Requirements: Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in access services or related areas in an academic library setting
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience, including hiring, training, and evaluating staff and setting goals and priorities
• Proven record of successful project management in an academic library environment.
• Demonstrated experience working with an integrated library system (ILS) or library services platform (LSP), such as experience with transactional processes, troubleshooting, and system configuration.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make decisions using data and user input
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain morale in a collaborative, fast-paced environment
• Strong team-centered management skills with demonstrated experience successfully leading and motivating work teams
• Demonstrated skills in successful budget management
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills as well as empathy, patience, and tact
• Strong service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with students, faculty, and staff
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging, relative to their role.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in library and information science, business administration, public administration, or related field from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Experience with ExLibris Alma LSP
• Experience with Atlas Systems ILLiad
• Demonstrated successful experience implementing organizational change
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment
• Familiarity with emerging technologies trends in higher education

Additional Information: Professional Rank and Salary Grade: SL-4, $80,000-$85,000

Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Please apply online via https://albany.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=182879

Application Instructions: Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• List of 3 professional references with e-mail addresses and telephone numbers

Note: After submitting your resume, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

Closing date for receipt of applications: December 27, 2024