Technical Services Librarian

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position title: Technical Services Librarian

Salary range: Please see Table 26B for the salary range for this position. An estimate for this position is $77,631 - $159,380.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: August 1, 2025 or later
Position duration: Potential Career Status

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: January 13, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Feb 24, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Sep 5, 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 of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Library seeks a creative, user-focused, collaborative professional for an exciting opportunity to serve as the Technical Services Librarian within the Resource Acquisition and Discovery Services (ReADS) department.

The University of California has a deep commitment to its leadership role in the transformation of scholarly communications toward greater openness in the dissemination of scholarship. The mission of the Department of Resource Acquisition and Discovery Services (ReADS) is to support UCSB research, teaching, and academic success by making library resources discoverable and accessible. Implementing this mission requires innovative approaches to content acquisition and management services that meet and support evolving transformations of scholarly communication, ongoing changes in the publishing market, and the transition to Open Access.

We invite candidates with initiative, technical aptitude, inventive thinking, and a passion for collaboration to join the University's global mission of leadership and academic excellence.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

Position Overview:
Reporting to the Director of ReADS, the Technical Services Librarian will serve as the technical lead within ReADS for library systems and technologies related to content management, metadata management, and resource discovery. This role involves utilizing emerging technologies to enhance and streamline ReADS operations, focusing on workflow improvement process automation, and identifying opportunities for efficiency gains in metadata management, creation, and acquisitions. The successful candidate will be responsible for the integrated use of technical tools, cloud-based applications, acquisition platforms, metadata systems, and other technology applications within ReADS. They will lead both independent and collaborative initiatives aimed at optimizing workflows and integrating new technologies. Additionally, the role involves recommending, implementing, and maintaining advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to drive efficiency and enhance the management and discoverability of library resources. Active engagement with these emerging technologies will be essential to advancing ReADS' technical services and supporting the library’s mission.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangements.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Technical Leadership:

• Serve as the technical lead for systems used within ReADS, including configurations, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Oversee the integrated use of tools, cloud-based applications, acquisition platforms, and related systems within ReADS.
• Manage incoming data feeds, including bibliographic, holdings, and item data, ensuring optimal system performance.
• Test new functionalities and system upgrades before implementation, evaluating their impact on workflows and recommending necessary modifications.

Workflow Optimization:

• Lead efforts to streamline and automate ReADS workflows, with a focus on metadata management, creation, and acquisition processes.
• Develop, document, and implement best practices, policies, and procedures for technical services operations, emphasizing automation and workflow optimization.
• Identify opportunities for enhancing efficiency and automation, recommending and implementing solutions to improve operational effectiveness.

Technology Implementation:

• Recommend, implement, and maintain advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning, to boost efficiency and improve resource management and discoverability.
• Research, propose policies, and apply new and emerging technologies, including AI and machine learning, to streamline processes and improve discoverability.

Collaboration and Innovation:

• Collaborate with library stakeholders, Library IT, and Campus IT to integrate new systems, assess library tools, and find creative solutions to enhance the management of library resources.
• Work independently and collaboratively on initiatives to advance ReADS’ technical services and support the Library’s mission through innovative solutions.
• Represent the UCSB Library on internal and external committees related to technical services and collaborate with colleagues across the UC system and beyond.
• Participate in library-wide activities, committees, and special projects, and represent the Library in local, regional, and national organizations.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• An ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science (or equivalent foreign degree) or an advanced degree in a relevant field.
• At least two years of experience in technical services within a higher education or research library, with a focus on metadata management, acquisitions, or systems integration.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Basic familiarity with at least one scripting tool or language (e.g., Python, Perl) or an application programming interface (API) for managing data.
• Experience with identifying or improving workflows in any setting, with evidence of participation in efforts to enhance efficiency or automation.
• Awareness of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning) and an expressed interest in their potential applications to technical services.

Preferred qualifications

• Proven ability to foster collaborative relationships and work effectively in a diverse, proactive, and team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated experience with data transformation tools, structured data, and data interchange formats used in retrieving and transforming data, such as OpenRefine or similar software.
• Knowledge of cloud-based applications, acquisition platforms, and integrated library systems (ILS), especially in a consortial or shared environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions for workflow optimization.
• Excellent written communication skills demonstrated through clear, concise documentation, reports, and instructional materials.
• Experience managing library systems and discovery tools, including troubleshooting, configuration, and documentation.
• Proven ability to adapt to new technologies and lead initiatives that involve integrating or adopting innovative solutions within technical services.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
  (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 2-3 required (contact information only)
• References will only be contacted for the finalist.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02907
Help contact: [email protected]

ABOUT UC SANTA BARBARA
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, dishonesty or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.