Seattle, WA: PT Library & Archives Paraprofessional 4,

Description

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Elisabeth C. Miller Library is the library for the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and supports its mission by providing library resources and services for the faculty, staff, volunteers, students and partner organizations, as well as the general public, including professionals and avid hobbyists in horticulture. With over 15,000 books on gardening techniques, garden design and history, native floras from around the world, and 400 magazine titles, the Miller Library has the most extensive horticulture collection in the Pacific Northwest.

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG), within the College of the Environment has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time (75%) Library & Archives Paraprofessional 4. The schedule for this position includes Monday evenings until 8:00pm, Saturdays from 9-3, and occasionally other evenings and weekends for special events as needed.

This position provides complex technical reference services in a specialized discipline and is often the first and only contact users of the library have with staff. This position provides key support in the development, maintenance, and preservation of the library collections, especially current and historical periodical publications from around the world, and an archive of materials on the history and activities of horticulture in the Pacific Northwest region. This position will frequently be responsible for making interpretations of library policy for library users/visitors, including UW faculty, staff, students, and the general public. This position oversees the monitoring and acquisition of library supplies, including specialized materials for library collection maintenance and preservation.

This position reports directly to the Library Manager and directs or co-directs the work of 10-12 volunteer positions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform bibliographic and reference searches and research services, using knowledge of complex reference resources, including interpreting and conferring on reference research strategies with University of Washington faculty, staff, and students, the general public, and professionals – in person, over the phone, and in writing.

Manage serials collections (journals, trade journals, popular periodicals, newsletters, yearbooks) in both print and electronic formats, including subscriptions, renewals, receipt records, and claiming. Maintain effective relationships with serials jobber and regional organizations for subscriptions, gifts, and publication exchanges. Direct volunteers in processing, routing, and shelving serials.

Procure repairs, equipment, materials, and supplies for staff and general library use to assure smooth functioning of library. Monitor and reconcile monthly statements for all purchases by library staff using University commercial credit cards, vendor correspondence and communication.

Perform complex cataloging of library serials with catalog copy from Library of Congress and other sources if appropriate. Complete and update records which require classification, subject analysis, and extensive descriptive changes; correct or add subject or classification to general copy cataloging. Analyze and resolve complex order and bibliographic and archival cataloging problems, maintain and update internal records using the Koha integrated library system and Archivist Toolkit archive management.

Manage preservation of serials through organizing and binding. Preserve regional electronic publications by printing and binding. Bind theses and monographs as needed. Train and direct volunteers in this work.

Analyze, organize, index and describe materials such as archives, clippings, slides, and photographs. Assist in the management and preservation of all library archives and clippings.

Coordinate 6-8 library public/donor receptions per year, including planning, scheduling, ordering, directing the work of staff and volunteers as well as budget projection and reconciliation. Receptions include constituent event for an annual fundraiser, receptions for art exhibit openings and student poster displays, and volunteer recognition gatherings.

Frequently be lead staff person in library during the absence of the manager or other key library staff and will be expected to make decisions about library matters for user and discern when decisions need to be referred to a higher authority.

REQUIREMENTS:
High school graduation or equivalent and five years’ experience in the functional operations of a library or archives, including one year beyond the entry level in an area of specialization, or an associate degree in library technology from an accredited program and three years of technical experience in the functional operations of a library or archives, including one year beyond the entry level. Additional education can substitute for experiences.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of library policies and procedures; cataloging and reference techniques; acquisition procedures; creating readers advisories; historical and technical research procedures; information systems; records management systems and techniques; procedures for document indexing and retrieval; manual and computerized methods for records control.

Possess and maintain deep knowledge of subject specialization, which includes horticulture techniques, horticultural plants suitable for this region, landscape design, landscape maintenance, botanical and horticultural history, botanical illustration, and arboreta and botanic gardens of the world.

Ability to effectively plan and direct the work of volunteers, interns, and hourly staff; understand and interpret library policies; maintain effective public relations; work effectively in a team environment that includes faculty, staff, students, volunteers and library friends and donors; assess researchers’ needs; select and explain archival materials; maintain effective descriptive systems for various types of public documents; speak and write clearly, concisely, and effectively; and establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with all library users.

Familiarity with application software including integrated library systems, managing and searching indexing databases, e-mail marketing software, and Microsoft Office.

DESIRED:
Familiarity with specialized application software including Koha integrated library system, EBSCO indexing databases, Convio e-mail marketing, Dreamweaver website builder, and Archivist Toolkit archives management.

Familiarity with University of Washington purchasing systems, including ProCard reconciliation, and with the specialized tools and supplies, and their sources, for the maintenance and preservation of library collections.

Familiarity with regional horticultural groups, especially their periodical publications in print or electronic format, and including arboreta and botanical garden friends groups, plant societies, garden clubs, publishers, educational and professional organizations.

Demonstrated ability to plan and manage receptions, including scheduling, overseeing logistics, managing the work of staff and volunteers as well as budget projection and reconciliation.

Condition of Employment:
Appointment to this position is contingent upon obtaining satisfactory results from a criminal background check.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Criminal Conviction History, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.