Vice President for Libraries & Information Technology Services

Description

Job Description

•   Job Title: Vice President for Libraries & Information Technology Services
•   Job ID: 13667
•   Department: President's Office
•   Location:  Queens College

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION
​Queens College, a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), offers a rigorous education in the liberal arts and sciences under the guidance of a faculty dedicated to both teaching and research. Queens College has an enrollment of over 19,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs, a staff totaling almost 2000 and a budget over $200 million.  Located in a residential area of Flushing in the borough of Queens - America's most ethnically diverse county - Queens College provides affordable access to higher education and embraces its special obligation to serve the larger community.  In fact, the College's motto is "We learn so that we may serve."  The campus consists of 80 acres lined with trees surrounding grassy open spaces and a traditional Quad; in 2009, it opened its first residence hall. Queens College is home to the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, the Queens College Art Library, and the Queens College Music Library.

The Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services, a new position at Queens College, provides strategic vision and leadership in developing, implementing and assessing direction for the Libraries and for Information Technology for the College.  He/she takes a lead role in the integration of the the Libraries and Information Technology with teaching, learning, and research activities at the campus. The Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services understands and has a passion for higher education; can articulate a clear vision for a 21st century library and for information technology; is a mentor, developer, and motivator of faculty, students and staff; will champion digital literacy and e-book initiatives; can effectively manage change and has excellent speaking and listening skills. Above all, the Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services is an enabler of student and faculty scholarship, teaching, learning and academic achievement.

The Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services is responsible for strategic planning, organizational management and development, and financial planning, budgeting and control, and oversees library services, technology infrastructure, administrative systems, academic and instructional technology, and user support. 
Through his or her direct report, the Chief Information Officer, the Vice President provides leadership for the college's information technology operations and infrastructure.  He/she ensures the provision of the highest level of service to faculty, students and staff.  The Vice President works closely and cooperatively with all campus areas and functions including Communications and Marketing to assure the smooth and user friendly implementation of all IT initiatives and services.  Service areas include: Computer Labs & Printing; Assistive Technology; Service Desk; Blackboard; Data Center Operations; Email and Calendar; Software Site Licensing; Workshops and Training for students, faculty and staff; Student Tech Fee Administration; User Account Administration; IT Security Management; Disaster Recovery Operations and Emergency Response; CUNYfirst Upgrades; Reporting; Enterprise Application Services; Web Services & Application Development; Network Administration; Hardware & Software acquisition   Project Management; Liaison with CUNY Computing & Information Services and other CUNY Colleges; and Telephone & Media Services.

In addition to serving as Chief Librarian and the academic chair of the Library department, the Vice President will establish and implement a vision and policies for the College's libraries, including setting direction for the demand driven acquisition and use of digital resources, and the implementation of services relating to big data.  He/she will balance print and digital library services and oversee digital information services for the campus, including the library's role in campus web-based information technologies and applications.  The Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services collaborates closely with the College's teaching faculty, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to develop standards, guidelines, processes and expertise to address College-wide library, digital resources and big-data issues.

The Vice President will work with the Queens College Division of Institutional Advancement to identify sources of funding from donors, foundations, and granting agencies which can supplement state support for the libraries and the college's IT infrastructure and operations.

The Vice President will advance the Libraries as a bridge with other academic departments (including the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies and the Computer Science Department, as well as all Departments engaged in and utilizing library resources) to create digital collaborations where students and faculty can explore cutting edge approaches to information technologies and data and digital services.  He/she will support the development of curricular initiatives in the area of big data as they emerge at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The incumbent leads the implementation of "big data" services across the College incorporating digitized and born-digital assets, promotes the development of Queens College's use of the Academic Works digital institutional repository, and develops digital asset management strategies to optimize use of digital assets and minimize life cycle costs. 
The Vice President for Libraries and Information Technology Services will also:

• Serve as the principal advocate for the the Libraries and Information Technology at all times;
• Seek grants to enhance funding, resources, programs and services for the Libraries and Information Technology;
• Participate in College fundraising activities;
• Continually assess the performance of the Library and Information Technology functions and areas, and direct changes to improve services;
• Prepare and justify budgets;
• Negotiate effectively with vendors;
• Identify and enhance access to information resources with other New York City educational and cultural institutions;
• Represent or designate a representative to college-wide, university committees; and
• Represent or designate a representative to local, regional and national academic library and information technology initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
​This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan.  All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent degree, with an additional advanced degree in an academic field (Doctorate preferred); 8 or more years of progressively responsible library management including budgets and personnel, with 5 or more years in an academic or research library; and a record of scholarship, service, and professional achievement that will qualify the individual for a tenured faculty position in the department.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated Professional Knowledge:

Library functions, including:

• assessment of library operations
• strategic planning
• library planning and library renovation
• incorporating emerging technologies into library services and operations

Information environments, including: information science

• systems and network architecture
• IT governance
• trends in higher education and information technologies
• demonstrated high level competency with digital tools.

Demonstrated Leadership Experience

• Effective capacity-building skills (collaborative fundraising, major gifts and/or grant writing)
• Familiarity with a university consortium environment
• Oversight and mentoring of tenured faculty
• Superb communication skills through oral, written, and virtual/digital methods

Demonstrated Commitment to Diversity and Urban Education

• Established record of outreach to multiple constituencies
• Dedication to building a diverse faculty and staff
• Working in a diverse urban setting
• Significant experience and professional accomplishment in a diverse, urban institution of higher education.

COMPENSATION
​This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.  We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.  Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY
​A complete application consists of a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the job description, and the names and contact information of five professional references. All inquiries will be treated in confidence and references will not be contacted without prior approval of candidates.

• All material must be submitted electronically via the CUNY website listed below.
• Go to www.cuny.edu and click on "Employment" and then "Search job listings."
• Next, click on "More options to search for CUNY jobs" and search by Job Opening ID #13667
• Then click on the "Apply Now" button and follow the instructions.

Closing date: December 12, 2015 with review of applicant pool to begin November 12, 2015.

BENEFITS
CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on the job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer which complies with all applicable laws and regulations, and encourages inclusive excellence in its employment practices.