The San Diego State University (SDSU) Library invites applications and nominations for an immediate opening for a 12-month, tenure-track position to be appointed at the rank of Senior Assistant or Associate Librarian rank (depending on qualifications). The Latin American Languages and Cultures Librarian will provide research assistance, information literacy instruction, and support for library collections and services initiatives as part of the Research, Instruction, and Outreach team in areas including Latin American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Spanish, Portuguese, and the Indigenous languages of Mexico. The successful candidate will serve as liaison to the Latinx Resource Center (located in the University Library) and provide leadership for library initiatives associated with the research missions of the university's Aztec Identity Initiative as well as the SDSU Center for Mesoamerican Studies in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is a state rich in the history of Mexico and home to Mexico's largest population of Indigenous language speakers, encompassing more than one million speakers of 16 different languages. Likewise, San Diego County is home to the largest number of Indigenous tribes in the United States and California has the country's greatest concentration of Indigenous Mesoamerican communities. We seek a creative, collaborative, and forward-looking colleague who can complement, strengthen, and expand partnerships across library departments and with colleagues across the university, the San Diego community, and our growing community of partner institutions in Mexico and Latin America. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with library colleagues contributing to our work in Latin America, including initiatives centered around digital collections and special collections. More information about the SDSU Library is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/ and more information about partnership programs and opportunities is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/partners.

The SDSU Library supports, promotes, and extends the distinctive teaching, learning, scholarship, and community engagement initiatives of the university, especially as those are highlighted in the university strategic plan, “We Rise, We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives.” Committed to service and student-centered innovation in librarianship, recent library initiatives include the establishment of the Digital Humanities Center, build IT makerspace, and partnerships around student success. SDSU has made a strategic commitment to student success as part of California State University's Graduation Initiative 2025, and the University Library is also home to campus-wide initiatives such as The Writing Center, Math and Statistics Learning Center, and Supplemental Instruction.

SDSU is a large, public, diverse, urban university and a Hispanic-Serving and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution located on Kumeyaay land with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university honors its residence on Kumeyaay land in its land acknowledgement and commitment to building a relationship with Indigenous peoples. The Library recently embarked on a new initiative to expand its Black Studies Collection and create a dedicated space for the collection. The SDSU Library has adopted a Diversity Plan (https://library.sdsu.edu/diversity/library-plan) to guide our efforts to realize an institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To meet the goals of this plan, we seek applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria. Additional guidance on our BIE program for applicants is here.

The SDSU Library Diversity Statement is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/sdsu-library-diversity-statement.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Latin American Languages and Cultures Librarian will:

• Proactively seek partnerships with faculty and students in the liaison areas as assigned, including Latin American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, as well as with researchers in associated Centers, including the Center for Brazilian Studies and the Center for Mesoamerican Studies;
• Take a leadership role in designing, delivering, managing, and assessing collections and services in support of the relevant academic departments;
• Initiate and conduct course-related and general information literacy instruction and develop content, including course guides, subject guides, and other instructional and outreach materials in assigned areas;
• Provide subject specific reference and research support for Latin American Studies, including the Indigenous languages of Mexico;
• Collaborate with colleagues across the library to conceptualize and contribute to digital initiatives relevant to Latin American Studies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages;
•  Represent the University Library in developing the Center for Mesoamerican Studies, fostering the Center's emphasis on Mexican Indigenous peoples and their cultures, languages, and welfare;
• Represent the University Library in institutional discussions of the Aztec Identity Initiative;
•  Develop and foster cross-border relationships with Mexican librarians, archivists, and faculty in partner institutions to promote shared collections and services;
• Engage and participate in the ongoing assessment of student learning, library collections, and services
• Pursue professional development activities that demonstrate a continuous and meritorious record of contributions and achievements in the profession
• Participate in the shared governance of San Diego State University by serving on library, campus, and California State University committees
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program or foreign equivalent
• An elevated level of fluency in verbal and written communication in Spanish and English
• Evidence of coursework, training, or other experience related to Indigenous Mesoamerican languages, communities, or cultures
• Experience working with Mexican, Latin American, Chicanx, or Indigenous communities in a library setting
• Demonstrated understanding of current research trends, information sources, and trends in scholarship and publishing in Latin American Studies
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to maintain harmonious, cooperative working relationships
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated potential to meet SDSU requirements for tenure and promotion based on library service, professional growth, and service to the University and community

Preferred Qualifications

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in Latin American Studies or relevant related discipline
• Experience as an academic library liaison to Latin American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Indigenous Studies, or relevant related discipline
• Experience designing and delivering information literacy instruction in person and online
• Experience working with multicultural and/or international student groups
• Experience planning, designing, implementing, and assessing library programs and services

This is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the Sr. Assistant or Associate Librarian level (depending on qualifications). Continuing appointment and tenure are dependent upon evidence of library service effectiveness, professional growth and development, and service to the library, University, and community. Anticipated salary range for this position is between $74,280 - $77,500 (Sr. Assistant Librarian) or $85,224 - $94,500 (Associate Librarian). Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement package, and 24 vacation days per year. For more information, see https://bfa.sdsu.edu/hr/jobs/benefits

This position will remain open until filled. Review will begin immediately, with preference given to applications received by January 15, 2023. Applicants must apply via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/118798. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2023.

SDSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the San Diego region, with a campus and microsites in San Diego and locations in Southern California's Imperial Valley and Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia. The highly diverse campus community has a student population of approximately 36,000. SDSU is included in the Carnegie Foundation's Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity category. Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor degrees in 97 areas, masters in 84 and doctorates in 23. See http://www.sdsu.edu for more information. SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.