User Experience Librarian

Description

Title:   User Experience Librarian

Category: Professional Track Faculty (Contractual)

Department: Discovery and Metadata Services

Employer:  University of Maryland University Libraries

Benefits: **22 Days Annual Leave, 15 Days of Sick Leave, 3 Days Personal Leave, 15 Paid Holidays, Tuition 

Remission, Health, Dental, Vision, and Prescription

As the largest university library system in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore area, the University of Maryland Libraries serve more than 37,500 students and 4,200 faculty of the flagship College Park campus. The University of Maryland Libraries share the teaching, learning and research goals of the university. Its role as a key academic resource is evident in its service to the academic community and its actionable strategic plan. Recent membership in the Big Ten Academic Alliance is particularly meaningful to the University Libraries and will further propel the university’s ascendancy in academic excellence.

Nature of Work

Under the direction of the Discovery and Metadata Services Department Head, the User Experience Librarian coordinates the Libraries’ user experience efforts across Library resources and spaces. This new position will cultivate relationships with the Libraries’ various user communities, and utilize information gathered from these relationships, as well as data gathered from Library systems, to identify and prioritize users’ needs as they pertain to the Libraries’ resources. The User Experience Librarian would act as a bridge between subject liaisons, Digital Programs and Initiatives (DPI), and Library users. This position would utilize data collected from our users as well as from our systems in order to evaluate and shape the Libraries’ tools, systems, and metadata to best serve our users. Working collaboratively, the incumbent will be responsible for initiating and implementing programming, activities, and projects designed to improve the overall user experience of the Libraries. S/He will represent the department as a member of the Web Advisory Committee, collaborating across divisions and departments in order to help promote a seamless user experience for staff and users.

As a member of the Library faculty, the incumbent has an obligation to remain professionally informed and acquire new skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to improve work processes, sharing them with appropriate colleagues. The incumbent is encouraged to attend professional development offerings in the areas related to assigned responsibilities and engage in service and scholarship opportunities as appropriate. 

Education

Required

Master’s degree in library science from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association or similar credentials, or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional experience in the area of focus.

Experience

Required

Knowledge of website design, development, implementation, standards, and accessibility/usability guidelines. Knowledge of common web usability testing techniques. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a congenial team environment and to interact effectively with a broad variety of staff within and outside of Collection Services.

Preferred

2-3 years relevant professional experience. Demonstrated success applying user experience methodologies such as focus groups and ethnographic research. Experience working in a library or educational environment. Familiarity with web content management systems, APIs, and/or web analytics. Knowledge of interaction design, user interface design, and/or graphic design. Familiarity with various software used for conducting usability testing and analysis. Coursework in user experience research methods.

For the full position description and information on professional track faculty ranking, please go to https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/61668.

Position is appointed as professional track faculty within the Faculty Specialist Ranks as established by the University of Maryland.  This is a non-tenured, contractual position. Rank at appointment is based on the successful applicant's experience and relevant credentials.

APPLICATIONS: Electronic applications required. Please apply online at https://ejobs.umd.edu.  No relocation assistance will be provided.  You must be legally able to work in the United States; the University of Maryland Libraries will not sponsor individuals for employment.  An application consists of a cover letter, which includes the source of advertisement, a curriculum vitae, and names/e-mail addresses of three references. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and accepted until August 20, 2018.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.