Katheryn B. Willock Head of Special Collections - University of Arizona

• By: admin
• On: 04/15/2019 12:13:23
• In: Job & Internships

Title: Department Head, Special Collections
Department: Libraries- Special Collections (1706)
Location: Main Campus

Position Summary
The University Libraries seeks an experienced, dynamic, and innovative leader for the position of Katheryn B. Willock Head of Special Collections. The Special Collections department features world-class archival and rare collections in a number of areas, including the US-Mexico Borderlands and the history of science, and a highly motivated group of faculty and staff members committed to maximizing the impact of its holdings at the University of Arizona and beyond. The Head, reporting to the Vice Dean of Libraries, has the primary responsibility of providing leadership, vision, and strategic direction for Special Collections within the broader context of the strategic plans and goals of the University Libraries as well as the University of Arizona. The Head, who oversees all operations in Special Collections and supervises 6 librarians FTE and 4.5 FTE staff, is responsible for mentoring faculty and staff, as well as coaching junior faculty members through the continuing status and promotion process. The UA Libraries embrace a highly collaborative environment; the Head works closely with other library departments and teams regarding reference and instruction, collection development and access, digital collections, cataloging and metadata, digital preservation, outreach strategies, exhibits, and events. The Head has a significant role in identifying and cultivating donors in collaboration with the Libraries' Director of Development. In addition, the Head is a member of the Libraries' Cabinet (leadership, policy and management team).

This is a continuing status track (equivalent to tenure track), academic professional position. Candidates should have sufficient professional experience, scholarship, and service to be hired at the Associate or Full Librarian rank, with continuing status. Incumbents are members of the general faculty and are entitled to all accompanying rights and privileges granted by the Arizona Board of Regents and the University of Arizona. Retention and promotion are earned through achievement of a record of excellence in position effectiveness, scholarship, and service.

Special Collections
Established in 1958 and housed in a beautiful and inviting facility, the University of Arizona Special Collections is home to one of the nation's finest collections of archival collections and printed texts about Arizona and the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Other significant collection areas include the history of science (including a focus on space sciences), literature, performing arts, and political affairs. Special Collections partners with community archives, other organizations, and individuals in the southwest United States and along the U.S.-Mexico border and is committed to the widest representation of diverse voices in the historical record. Significant acquisitions include: the Humane Borders Records, the papers of Bilingual Education pioneers, the de la Torre Family papers, the papers of mystery author J.A. Jance, the papers of author Edward Abbey, the papers of author Charles Bukowski, Chax Press Records, the papers of astronomer Gerard Peter Kuiper, the American Vaudeville Museum Collection, the papers of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as well as those of Congressman Morris K. Udall and Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall. The department is responsible for identifying and acquiring new collections within the collection scope (http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/collection-development-policy); integrating special collections into the curriculum; providing advanced reference related to the collections in collaboration with the Access and Information Services department staff who manage the information point in Special Collections; implementing digital initiatives in collaboration with other units in the Libraries; promoting use of the collections through exhibits, programs, and publications; stewardship and preservation of the collections; and the description and processing of collections. The curators and archivists also identify and cultivate donors in collaboration with the Libraries' Development Office and provide assistance to other UA campus units regarding requests for archival material and information.

Visit the University Libraries website to learn more about us.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been listed by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers in the United States and WorldatWork and the Arizona Department of Health Services have recognized us for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocation services, please click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled.

Duties & Responsibilities
Provide dynamic, innovative, and inclusive leadership for Special Collections within the broader context of the University Libraries' and the University of Arizona's strategic plans and goals.
Facilitate and develop the department as a cohesive unit with a shared vision and common set of goals.
Seek out and pursue opportunities where Special Collections can further the research and teaching missions of the University of Arizona through integration into courses, collaboration on research and scholarship, and support for student learning and success.
Develop external funding sources and donor relationships in close collaboration with the Libraries' Director of Development.
Work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to intentionally promote and integrate diversity, equality, inclusiveness and teamwork regarding the Libraries, Special Collections staff, exhibits and events, and the UA campus.
Strengthen partnerships with other University of Arizona cultural heritage institutions as appropriate, including the Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona Museum of Art, and the Arizona State Museum.
Manage budget to support programming, collection development and stewardship, and operations of unit.
Locate and acquire new collections that match the collection goals of the Libraries and Special Collections and support librarians to do the same.
Supervise, coach, and mentor 10.5 FTE of librarians and staff.
Work closely with the Office of Digital Innovation and Stewardship and the Technology Strategies and Services department to further work on digital collections and exhibits and digital preservation activities.
Work closely with the Libraries' Marketing and Communication unit to plan, promote and execute events and programming for the university and local community that are welcoming, culturally and topically diverse, inclusive and accessible.
Participate as a member of the Libraries' senior management team (Cabinet), representing Special Collections needs and perspectives on Cabinet as well as contributing to organization-wide decision making.
Work with the Analytics and Assessment Librarian to assess and communicate the impact and contributions of Special Collections to the Libraries, University, and beyond.
Anticipate, initiate and respond to changes in the environment, and keep abreast of trends that impact higher education and the library profession to ensure that the Libraries and the University achieve their strategic goals.
Foster professional development of staff to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing environment, and actively support a workplace culture that values and promotes a partnership and service philosophy.
The University Libraries supports the UA's diversity and inclusiveness strategic initiatives designed to create an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The candidate is expected to support diversity and inclusiveness efforts in the department and the Libraries.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Understands the basic history, theory, and professional practices relating to materials generally found in special collections research libraries, including but not limited to rare books, maps, prints, photographs, ephemera, archives, manuscripts, original artwork, audiovisual media, and digital materials.
Understands the significance of archival materials and the nature and value of primary materials for learning, teaching, research, and outreach.
Is familiar with and committed to the standards, ethics, guidelines, trends, and best practices in use by special collections professionals and promulgated by core professional groups such as ACRL' s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section, the Society of American Archivists, and the American Association of Museums.
Develops and maintains knowledge of intellectual property rights, copyright, rights management, patron and donor privacy, and other legal issues, especially as they apply to primary materials in various formats.
Understands the security and preservation needs of the collections and space, both in storage and during use.
Understands how to manage and plan budgets.
Ability to facilitate and manage effective meetings.
Ability to work in and manage a highly collaborative and inclusive environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of diverse perspectives, as well as cultural humility.
Ability to anticipate, initiate, and respond to changes in the environment.
Ability to keep abreast of trends that impact higher education and the library and archivist profession to ensure that the Libraries and the University achieve their goals.
Commitment to continual professional development, improvement, and learning.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Positive attitude and strong demonstration of Our Values: Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Diversity, Innovation, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited institution; or other relevant advanced degree.
Substantial leadership, supervisory, and budget experience in special collections and/or archives, preferably in an academic or research library.
Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: rare books, archives, born digital materials, exhibits, and/or preservation.
Demonstrated experience in the promotion of special collections for research, teaching, and learning through outreach initiatives.
A strong record of collaboration with other units within an organization.
Evidence of the ability to be appointed with continuing status (equivalent to tenure) at the rank of Associate or Full Librarian, including contributing to the information/library profession and to fulfilling the responsibilities of a library faculty member through service and scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated success in grant writing.
A successful record of fundraising experience including donor cultivation.
Demonstrated experience with digital collection development, born digital collections, and digital exhibits.
Demonstrated successful experience working with diverse populations.
Speaking and writing fluency in Spanish.

FLSA: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40
Job Category: Administrative and Professional
Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits
Posted Rate of Pay: DOE
Type of criminal background check required: Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)
Posting Number A23523
Number of Vacancies: One
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2019
Position End Date (if temporary):
Limited to Current UA Employees: No
Contact Information for Candidates: Krissandra McNeill, klmcneill@email.arizona.edu

Open Date: 04/08/2019
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Review Begins On: 05/13/2019
Special Instructions to Applicant: In your cover letter, please describe how your qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.

Diversity Statement
At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As an Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.

Quick Link for Internal Postings http://uacareers.com/postings/36845