Resources & Research Support Specialist

Department: Library

Classification: Library Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Manassas, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible; up to 2 days telework

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary no less than $43,000 commensurate with education and experience

About the Department:

The Learning, Research, and Engagement Division (LRE) of the University Libraries has primary responsibility for the spectrum of services and programs related to the outward-focused, direct engagement with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty pertaining to teaching, learning, and research, including the assessment of such services and programs. Through the Teaching and Learning Team and the three disciplinary teams of subject specialist librarians (Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology, and Social Sciences), the LRE division works continuously with individual faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on their individual learning and research needs by working closely with academic departments and colleges. Additionally, the LRE division advances the University Libraries’ goals and strategic plan. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, as well as in the systems and services we build, as an inclusive excellence imperative.

About the Position:

The Resources & Research Support Specialist performs general to complex tasks associated with service support, patron functions, resource maintenance and facility/environmental operations at Mercer Library. Provides direct public service for all access services, supports the research and instructional services, and provides resource organization and student worker oversight. Coordinates and manages evening/weekend operations related to the service desk, stacks, student assistants, and facility activities and services at Mercer Library. Directly trains, supervises and evaluates wage and non-student wage positions as directed. Has oversight of operations which includes supervising day-to-day evening/weekend operations; overseeing general administrative activities; and implementing, interpreting, reviewing and enforcing the University and Libraries’ policies, procedures and guidelines. Opens or closes Mercer Library as assigned or directed. Maintains knowledge and functionality regarding University, Campus, IT and University Libraries core operations, policies, services and functions at an appropriate level as a member of the Mercer Library team. Maintains accurate, timely daily records and statistics. Works collaboratively with colleagues, leadership and general community. Participates in committees and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and implement and advance the work of the Libraries.

This position is required to work evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities:

Public Access & Research Services/Facility Management:

• Provides direct public service as well as access services support, patron functions research/instructional support, and facility/environmental operations;
• Exercises sound judgment and decision regarding daily evening/weekend operations;
• Provides coverage of all access services. Interprets, explains and/or enforces departmental, Library or University policies, as well as library and/or campus emergencies;
• Markets library services including research and instructional services;
• Provides direct research and instructional service, and completes tasks (ranging from general to complex) associated with overall research and instructional services support, and patron needs;
• Performs reference and research work of a routine, non-routine, and moderately complex nature by working efficiently and effectively with diverse populations on various educational levels;
• Maintains high level of proficiency in a variety of print, multimedia and online research tools, catalogs, databases, etc. on a variety of software platforms to accurately instruct, inform and refer students, faculty and staff as well as community patrons;
• Interprets, evaluates and analyzes patron research needs by applying knowledge of general and subject-specific research tools (online and print), academic research methods, and the holdings of the University Libraries, local regional and national libraries and internet collections in order to guide, direct, instruct, or provide the information necessary to answer inquiries and to make the research resources of the University available for study and research;
• Assesses, interprets and explains library research strategies and concepts to accurately locate and provide needed information;
• Makes prompt and accurate referrals to subject/liaison librarian(s), in any/all Mason Libraries, as needed;
• Participates in orientations, campus events to describe and promote library services and programs;
• Responsible for closing and securing the library; and
• Works with Mason Police, Housekeeping and Physical Plant as necessary to ensure staff/patron safety and reports incidents to the supervisor.

Supervision and Data Analysis:

• Hires, trains, manages workloads, mentors, and assesses the performance of student and wage library assistants;
• Ensures maintenance of functional knowledge in all core services;
• Ensures students and others maintain integrity of data recorded;
• Analyzes data to adjust local workflow, resource allocation, or service coverage and proposes improvement(s) when working collaboratively with departments, campus or Library-wide personnel to vet, develop, and implement broad-based workflow improvements;
• Monitors and updates Wage and Work Study budget for Mercer Library and participates in budget discussions with supervisor;
• Provide Collection & Resource Sharing/Stacks Coordination;
• Responsible for resource maintenance and management in Mercer Library;
• Processes materials, verifies cataloging information, and reports errors in a timely manner;
• Process materials, backs up document fulfillment item requests as well as maintains knowledge/training of standards, procedures, technology and workflow;
• Instructs and coordinates new book processing with student assistants
• Maintains correct shelving and labeling of the collection; and
• Coordinates stacks projects such as inventory and shifting.

Professional Engagement: 

• Participates in and contributes to University’s, Campus’, Libraries’ and departmental meetings;
• Participates in Libraries’ and departmental-wide projects and tasks;
• Travels to other Mason campuses as necessary;
• Cross-trains to support/serve in other library units. Serves on library, campus, or University committees as requested/assigned; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience working in library public services, or in a customer-service environment;
• Effective organizational skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage;
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively inside and outside of the department; and
• Customer service skills such as responding to internal/external inquiries, resolving minor issues, referring to appropriate resources, escalating issues as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Demonstrated experience using an integrated library system;
• Experience providing basic reference service in an academic library or other similar setting; and
• Experience overseeing the work of others.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Resources & Research Support Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume.

Posting Open Date: July 3, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  July 23, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes