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Diversity Fellows

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Position description

Diversity Fellows

Library of the University of California, Davis

Overview of Position

The Library at the University of California, Davis, seeks two dynamic, user-oriented, early-career librarians to participate in a two-year Diversity Fellowship Program. The goals of the program are to
● Advance diversity and equal opportunity in the profession by recruiting individuals with the potential for leadership in addressing the barriers that have prevented individuals from traditionally underrepresented ethnic or racial minority groups, gender or gender identities, or physical or cognitive abilities from full participation in careers in academic librarianship
● Recruit to the Library of the University of California, Davis, for the duration of the fellowship, individuals relatively new to working in a research library by providing opportunities to
○ contribute meaningfully to defining the changing role of research libraries and the required workforce of the future
○ acquire meaningful, practical experience in a research library in a top-rated research institution
This program will provide the incumbents with a supportive environment to gain the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to thrive in an academic library setting with a focus on promoting undergraduate and professional student academic success and life-long learning.

Early-career librarians who are interested in pursuing academic librarianship and have an interest in contributing meaningfully to defining the changing role of research libraries and the required workforce of the future, as well as those interested in acquiring meaningful, practical experience in a research library in a top-rated research institution are encouraged to apply. The Fellows report to the Head of Student Services and will participate in a team of professionals to work collaboratively to develop, implement, and support library information services for students of UC Davis.

UC Davis and UC Davis Library

The University of California, Davis, is a global community of individuals united to better humanity and our natural world while seeking solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. Located near Sacramento, California’s capital, UC Davis has more than 38,000 students, the full-time equivalent of 4,100 faculty and other academics and researchers, and 17,400 other personnel. The university has an annual operating budget of $4.9 billion and a research budget of over $850 million, includes a major academic health system, and over two dozen specialized research centers. Recognized as one of the top ten public universities in the US and the number one university in the world for agricultural research and veterinary medicine, UC Davis offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than one hundred undergraduate majors in four colleges—Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools—Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Nursing.

The UC Davis Library is ranked among the top academic research libraries in North America and belongs to the Association of Research Libraries and other organizations that position it to collaborate with other top organizations. The Library is building a team of intensely collaborative, forward-thinking colleagues dedicated to providing excellent services to our students, researchers, faculty, and community members in a rapidly evolving information environment. The successful candidates will be immersed in information literacy concepts, pedagogy and teaching best practices, committed to problem-solving in collaborative and significant ways for the Library and library users, and able to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Position Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of Student Services, the Fellows will, by the end of the program:
● Participate in providing services that support the information and research needs of undergraduate and professional students, and effectively deliver services, resources, and outreach activities that advance the Library’s mission
● Be able to demonstrate requisite experience and skills to compete for a position in an academic library credibly
● Have had the opportunity to explore various roles in an academic library, shape their professional aspirations, and see how different functional units interact and contribute to the library as a whole
● Have cultivated collaboration and communication skills necessary to work effectively in a contemporary library organization through practical work experience and professional development opportunities
● Under the mentoring of colleagues, have gained demonstrable knowledge related to ongoing relationships with users and be able to articulate appropriate strategies to support education and research
● Be ready to speak to and model aspects of modern librarianship in an academic setting
● Be able to demonstrate the project and time management skills necessary to manage successfully complex projects
● Be able to apply supplemental professional capabilities such as conflict management, emotional intelligence, team training, persuasion methods, etc.
● Be able to contribute to shaping the field of librarianship through research and scholarship, and possess the communication skills and perspective to contribute to discussions about professional practice
● Have received specific professional development and training focused on beginning their professional career (such as carrying out a job search, negotiating an offer for a professional position, and seeking a professional mentor)

During the first year of the fellowship, the Fellows will gain knowledge and work experience in the UC Davis Library, primarily in the Student Services department. They will also be introduced to other facets of research librarianship, in areas such as research consultation and support, cataloging and metadata services, archives and special collections, health sciences, collection strategies, scholarly communications, online services, and data science and management.

The second year will be focused on appropriate project work, with specifics defined as the first year draws to a close in consultation among the Fellows, their supervisor, and others. The projects will be tailored to the Fellows’ expertise, interests, and skills, and ideally will address Library strategic or programmatic needs. The second year will culminate with a presentation, poster session, or paper, or some such similar effort, about the projects.

Over both years of the fellowship, the Fellows will be actively mentored by their supervisor and other relevant colleagues, and also gain experience with general skills, such as planning and project management, assessment and evaluation, meeting planning, and conflict resolution.

Required Qualifications for the Position

• Completion of or enrollment in an ALA-accredited master's degree program in Library and Information Science or equivalent; if degree is in progress, must be completed by January 2020
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with multiple constituencies in a complex and rapidly changing, matrix-based work environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work successfully in an intensely collaborative environment with complex workgroups comprising a broad range of people from culturally diverse backgrounds including colleagues, administrators, students, faculty, donors, and alumni
• Demonstrated effective use of analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to use and successfully experiment with technology to deliver information services to undergraduate and professional students

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Canvas or other learning management systems
• Working knowledge of relevant academic and instructional design technologies, such as Camtasia and Adobe Captivate, and the application of new technologies in instruction
• Understanding and interest in working with first-year experience courses and delivering library services to traditionally underserved students
• Demonstrated commitment to, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the library community

Salary and Benefits

Salary: Assistant Librarian, Salary Point 1, $55,014—Assistant Librarian, Salary Point 6, $62,854, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a two-year temporary position.

The incumbent will be a member of the LX Collective Bargaining Unit represented by the University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT).

Benefits: the University of California is one of the largest employers in California, and offers excellent health and retirement benefits to its employees and their families. Librarians Series employees are academic appointees and earn twenty-four days of vacation and twelve days of sick leave per year. In addition, there are thirteen university holidays. See http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Application Information

Recent or imminent graduates are particularly encouraged to apply; no prior professional experience is required.

Applications must be submitted via the UC Davis RECRUIT website at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply. Candidates applying by October 7, 2019, will receive first consideration. The positions will remain open until filled. See https://www.library.ucdavis.edu/careers/ for this posting and information about working at the UC Davis Library. Please contact Beth Callahan, bacallahan@ucdavis.edu, Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning, with questions.

Please include a letter of interest addressing qualifications and experience related to the position, a Curriculum Vitae, and names and contact information for at least four references.

Applicants are also required to complete a Statement of Contributions to Diversity. Please see http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for information about why diversity statements are requested and guidelines for writing a diversity statement.

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, including criminal history and identity checks.

The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Please include a letter of interest addressing qualifications and experience related to the position

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 4-6 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Davis, CA