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Assistant Director for Library Systems & Discovery (Promotional Opportunity)

Job no: 526540
Position type: Staff Full Time
Benefit Status: Benefited-Union
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Library
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and grade/range
Applications Open: Feb 24 2025
Applications Close: Mar 07 2025

General Summary of Position:

The Assistant Director for Library Systems & Discovery is responsible for administering and maintaining library technologies and application architecture, including the library services platform and discovery systems, the library website, digital repositories, and other library web applications. The Assistant Director seeks to understand users’ needs and collaborates with Library colleagues, staff from around the University, and external partners to evaluate and recommend new technologies that support library services and initiatives and enhance the user experience. Additionally, the Assistant Director keeps abreast of standards, best practices, and trends in library systems and software and brings this expertise to the Library Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

Education:

• A master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited library/information science program, or international equivalent, by the time of hire; alternatively, we will consider applicants with a master’s degree in a highly relevant field.

Experience:

• 7-10 years of experience working in an academic library, with at least 3 years in the areas of library systems and technology.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of a range of digital library services, asset and content-management platforms, and technologies that support library collections, teaching, and scholarship; experience or familiarity with open-source platforms is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience designing, creating, and maintaining an academic library website in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Facility and comfort working with a variety of software and hardware (ILS/LSP, content management systems, discovery systems, authentication systems, and e-resource management systems); IT troubleshooting.
• Experience leading projects in the academic library setting.
• Supervisory experience.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and anticipate and plan for potential problems.
• Experience in collaborative environments, working effectively with both technical and non-technical partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively and flexibility to adapt to and provide leadership in a rapidly changing technology and information landscape.
• Ability to balance big picture with detail and think creatively.

Additional Considerations:

• Service-oriented, innovative, data-driven, excellent judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with CSS, Java, SQL, APIs, and other common coding languages and standards used for web and reporting, such as COUNTER5; willingness to stay abreast of emerging languages.
• Familiarity with data management and digital repositories such as Omeka, DSpace, CONTENTdm, Dryad, and similar.
• Knowledge of library and archival metadata standards and metadata management best practices.
• Experience with current practices related to digitization and digital preservation.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P20. Please include a resume with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process. Submission of a cover letter is optional.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is committed to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations, as well as curriculum and support programs, while promoting an inclusive environment. We seek candidates who can contribute to that goal and encourage you to apply and to identify your strengths in this area.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Title IX employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age over 40, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or other protected class.