Library Applications Support Specialist

Description

The University of Alberta Library, with a long tradition of service excellence to the University and its communities, seeks a dynamic professional to join the Library Applications Support team.

The University of Alberta Library is committed to supporting the university’s academic mission by continuing to develop and maintain a world class library system that is open, sustainable and responsive to the many communities it serves. A member of the Association of Research Libraries and other international organizations, it is also a leading partner in local library networks including NEOS, a provincial consortium consisting of 17 government, hospital, college and university libraries. It has a recognized expertise in large scale digital initiatives and many outstanding collections of print, archival and electronic resources. For more information, visit our web-site at https://www.library.ualberta.ca.

Position

Reporting to the Team Lead, Library Applications Support, The Library Applications Support Specialist is a senior resource position and is responsible for the operations, policies, configuration and support of critical library applications, for the University of Alberta Library, the NEOS Consortium and other internal and external partnerships. The incumbent is expected to have a solid understanding of library functions across a wide spectrum, including public service policy and procedure, library collection and development, and cataloguing policy and practice. 

The Library Applications Support Specialist collaborates with key stakeholders to identify and analyze needs, as well as barriers and problems related to core library applications.  The incumbent, using application design, configuration and processes, seeks to create and implement solutions and new applications that address identified issues and  enhance and improve stakeholder and end user outcomes.

The Specialist is responsible for supporting the Team Lead to gather information, conduct research, investigate and implement solutions to ensure the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of library resources and services for the University of Alberta and other external partnerships. The Specialist plays an active part in assessing the usability of the supported library applications and provides advice for improvement.

The specialist is expected to stay updated with the latest application developments. They are expected to recognize the implications of new releases and service policies changes and their impact on configurations, service procedures and training requirements.  The specialist provides input into library application service policies, identifying potential future directions and resource requirements.  

The Library Applications Support Specialist is expected to work in a collaborative team environment, engaging with stakeholders within the library, campus and external partnerships. The Specialist should adhere to rigorous testing and quality assurance procedures, thoroughly documenting design and implementation decisions.

This position combines technical skills with knowledge of library digital services, business needs, user requirements, and library operational processes. The incumbent needs excellent interpersonal and relationship abilities in the support of consortium and partnership initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities:

Library Applications Support and Configuration

• Implement, create and support solutions that contribute to the scholarly and public need to search and access the digital collections and resources in the Integrated Library System, Library Services Platform, and library web presence.
• Work with the User Experiences Team to identify improvements and new functionality that will enhance user experiences and outcomes related to searching and accessing the digital resources through the library’s web presence.
• Implement, support and create new functionality within the Library website and core vendor-based library applications using a wide range of current web technologies.
• Securely and appropriately integrate core applications into the Library services and into the broader campus IAM and Peoplesoft solutions.  Utilize the best alternatives to meet both service needs and system integrity.  For example authentication and points of access.
• Provide top-level support within the Library Applications Support Team for troubleshooting and handling daily operational support trouble calls.
• Coordinate the creation and customization of statistics and information reports in various library applications as required.
• Act as a resource for other members of the team and stakeholders in the library to provide daily assistance/guidance on configuration needs.
• Responds to help desk incidents from within the University of Alberta Library, from all of the NEOS libraries, and from consortium working groups and committees.
• Resolve problems through personal experience, reference to vendor support manuals, consultation with the Team Lead and other specialists in the team, collaboration with IST, and vendor support.
• Work with IST or third-party vendors and suppliers to identify technical solutions to enhance core library applications.
• Systematically develop documentation for each application.  Identifying and including the critical configurations, setting up parameters and expertise to allow for service continuation.  Maintain documentation, ensuring it is up to date and reflects current practices
• Track application updates to be aware of emerging trends and best practices.

Research and Analyze

• Works with the Team Lead, and applies knowledge of current technology, Library’s institutional commitment, and Library’s digital services and applications to support the analysis of new requirements raised from internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Supports the internal and external stakeholders in requirements gathering and business analysis to ensure the requirements are clearly articulated and precisely defined for the design and development of new and existing integrations.
• Conducts research and investigates alternatives

Communication and Collaboration

• Provide consultation, specifications, and technical support to internal and external stakeholders. Communicate applications functionality, capabilities, limitations and its impact to UAL and external partners where it’s needed.
• Has extensive knowledge of current applications, services and configurations; consults with other teams and partners regarding issues and future enhancements, and provides recommendations and advice on the design and implementation.
• Participates in teams, working groups, and other decision-making bodies within UAL and external partners as needed. Provide expert knowledge of the applications to inform decisions on changes to policy and procedures.
• As appropriate, provides application training, mentoring and workshops to staff and others across campus.
• Expertise often informs decisions on changes to policy and procedures.  The teams that the Application Support Specialist attends regularly include the NEOS Access Services Team, related ad hoc groups and any working group at the University of Alberta focused on website design and content,  circulation and technology including the Public Services Team.

Project Management

• Leads projects to identify and implement application improvement.
• Participates in all phases of application implementation and enhancement projects as required (feasibility study, requirements definition,  implementation, testing, support and maintenance).
• Collaborates with a team of public service staff, cataloguing and metadata specialists, Library Applications Support specialists, and other staff in configuring and enhancing applications
• Establishes timelines and tracks the progress of application development.
• Provides status reports to the Team Lead, Library Applications Support Team
• Is responsible for quality assurance regarding application deliverables, solution design, performance, and data quality and accuracy.
• Documents development functions, workflows, and processes within the projects.

After Hours Responsibilities      

• May participate in the roster for after-hours on-call service (nights/weekends); occasional overtime many be needed for problem resolution
• May be required to work scheduled on-call (Standby), with conditions as stipulated in the NASA contract Article 7 (Callback) and Article 8 (Standby)
• May be asked to work overtime on occasion as stipulated in Article 6 (Overtime)
• May be required to work occasional evenings or weekends to carry out system duties that must be handled outside regular business hours with conditions as stipulated in Article 4 (Hours of Work).

Minimum Qualifications

• Two year post secondary diploma or degree in a library or information sciences, computing, or information technology program
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in various web technologies: HTML and CSS (required) and Bootstrap (desirable) as well as knowledge and functional skills with various programming languages, i.e. API,  Javascript, PHP.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public service, ie: library, academic setting is desirable.
• Knowledge or experience with integrated library systems or library service platforms is highly desirable.
• Knowledge or experience with library digital services and supporting applications in the areas of resources creation, discovery, dissemination and retrieval of library resources is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge or experience with library data structure and standards is considered as an asset.
• Knowledge or experience in UNIX operating systems is beneficial.
• Training in communications and/or project management training is desirable.

How to Apply

Apply Online

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location

This is a hybrid position with a mix of remote and in person.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.