Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence

Description

Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence

The University of Oklahoma Libraries seeks to recruit a new Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence.  University Libraries’ Web Services team leads strategic enhancements to the virtual library experience and meets the growing demand for online research. This unit supports a diverse user population, including distance education students and non-traditional adult learners whose only experience of the library is a virtual one. The team maintains 12 websites, including libraries.ou.edu, which supports 1.4 million visits per year from users with a wide variety of information and research needs, and provides access to many of the core research tools used on campus.

The Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence establishes and manages the goals, policies, and procedures for University Libraries web sites and associated services. It manages web services development, format, usage, and accessibility. This position also provides training and instruction for the campus community and makes presentations concerning major library web developments. The Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence provides oversight for accessibility and usability measures for all library platforms, ensuring compliance with legal ADA, WCAG 2.1 AA, and Section 508 requirements and best practices. This position interacts with a wide variety of individuals to provide website management and development support, and works closely with content creators, repository managers, and research data managers to continuously migrate, link, and organize content in a meaningful way into new library web services platforms.

The Head of Web Services and Artificial Intelligence leads a working group focused on conceptualizing, developing, and implementing projects using or demonstrating the effects of artificial intelligence. This position will lead the group to produce tangible outcomes in the form of applications, workshops, tutorials, presentations, and development sandboxes.

The position reports to the Libraries’ Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

The University of Oklahoma Libraries is dedicated to building and fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable educational and work environment. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law.

 Position Responsibilities

Web Services / AI/ML Operations

•  In consultation with the CTO, establish and direct the strategic goals, policies and procedures for University Libraries public and internal web services, associated platforms, and AI-based projects.
• Advise the CTO on requirements and considerations related to new web technology adoption and new AI architecture plans, proposing and implementing change models for improving operations
• Research and evaluate emerging web technologies, seeking innovative solutions to technology issues and University processes.
• Design new website architecture, ensuring mobile device, operating system, and cross-platform compatibility.
• Develop custom solutions for a Drupal environment when provided contributions do not fit the Libraries’ needs.
• Apply knowledge of available platforms, server equipment, and open source best practices to design complex websites and build applications utilizing AI.
• Review design and web code to ensure adherence to OU’s web guidelines and branding standards.
• Prepare and provide presentations and training concerning web projects and AI/ML practices.
• Plan and test updates to library web services, communicating impacts to users in advance, and provide on-call support for emergency website troubleshooting and resolution support.
• Construct environments that provide superior online security and implement privacy best practices, including transparency of data collected, retention timeframe, and providing right to be forgotten.
• Design and develop sites that adhere to applicable accessibility laws and guidelines.
• Supervise the work of contributing team members, and implement procedures that lead to an environment that is respectful of diversity and conducive to productivity by Web Services team members with varying degrees of skills and experience.
• Oversee and maintain ongoing projects involving AI/ML, including occupancy tracking, chatbots, exhibition engagement, etc.
• Collaborate and innovate with other institutions utilizing AI, and/or national/international working groups and advisory boards related to AI/ML, as appropriate.

Professional and University Service

• Participates in library and university committees and task forces related to primary job assignment and the university community as appropriate or assigned.
• Serves and participates at the local, state, regional, national and international level in professional associations relating to the access, retrieval and management of serial and continuing resources.
• Monitors trends and maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in bibliographic control, information organization, knowledge management, and metadata standards by participating in appropriate professional development and continuing education activities in the library, on campus, and within the library profession.

Service Support, Strategies, and Design

• In consultation with the CTO, define and manage the service support framework for web services including end-user support, documentation, policies, processes, and workflows.
• Supervise the training of content maintainers in use of content management systems and communicate workflow updates.
• Create and maintain up-to-date documentation, help guides, and FAQs for external and internal users.
• Document web services and AI infrastructure, architecture, dependencies, operations, backup, disaster recovery, and audit processes, in consultation with internal Libraries and other technology partners.
• Utilize website management and monitoring solutions to provide exceptional service to internal and external users.
• Coordinate with internal Libraries users to provide a consistent web user interface.
• Measure service operations using data analytics; analyze data and communicate problems, successes, and trends in regular communications to CTO.
• Plan for next steps through continuous professional development and education, consultation with co-workers and other experts, and creative brainstorming related to new, responsive, and innovative services.
• Serve on relevant committees and participate in establishing and maintaining the strategic vision for new web service platforms.

Required Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience: 36 months of experience designing, building, and maintaining websites.

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
• Experience with or evidence of understanding academic libraries and their users, information architecture, website navigation design, and the nuances of web browsers and the mobile web.
• Experience managing websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Experience with the Drupal web content management framework.
• Experience with full-stack web application design, development, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of web standards and accessibility requirements.
• Applied experience in AI / ML software.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written, oral, and listening) skills to effectively explain technical issues to end-users, and end-user needs to IT and library personnel.
• Experience using website analytics tools to create meaningful reports.
• Ability to develop unique web-based tools customized to meet the needs of University Libraries’ users and staff.
• Ability to develop effective user experience throughout multiple online properties.
• Experience as a team leader or supervisor

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of equity and inclusion that is beyond/broader than race, ethnicity, and gender.
• Experience with web development utilizing PHP and Python.
• Working knowledge of LAMP stacks and their related tools.
• In-depth knowledge of ADA, WCAG 2.1 AA, and Section 508 accessibility requirements.
• Experience with Google Analytics.
• Experience managing content and production for academic library websites.
• Applied experience with managing a diverse team of developers and content specialists.
• Experience maintaining AI models in production.
• Familiarity with bias and fairness in AI.

Applications

All applications must include a cover letter, resume and list of three professional references. Hiring will be contingent upon submission of academic transcripts.  To apply for this position, go to https://jobs.ou.edu and search for job number 213274.

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. For questions regarding non-discrimination policies, please visit  OU Institutional Equity Office.