Head, Sciences and Technology Team and Mercer Library

Head, Sciences and Technology Team and Mercer Library

The George Mason University Libraries seek to fill the position of Head, Sciences and Technology Team and Mercer Library. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Purpose and Understanding of the Organization:

Part of the Learning, Research, and Engagement (LRE) unit, the Science and Technology Team supports the research and instruction needs of students, staff, and faculty in science and technology related programs and departments. More directly, Mercer Library, which is part of the SciTech Team, supports the George Mason University Science and Technology campus community.

About the Position:

This position is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of innovative library services in the areas of reference, research, instruction, and in support of faculty and students within the fields of earth sciences, physical sciences, health sciences, life sciences, biomedical sciences, engineering, and computing, as well as the overall management of the Mercer Library at the Science & Technology campus. As a faculty librarian position, the SciTech Head is also responsible for engaging in professional development and scholarly endeavors as part of an ongoing reappointment process.

Responsibilities:

Team and Functional Leadership

• Contributes to planning, policy development, resource management, and decision-making within LRE and, as a member of the Libraries’ leadership team, to the university library system as a whole; and
• Directly supervises and evaluates five (5) subject librarians in their reference/research/instruction/outreach roles; supervises and evaluates three (3) additional library staff members who (a) support the Science & Technology Team and (b) contribute to the daily management of the Mercer Library.

STEM-H Strategy and Operations

• Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research & Engagement, plans, implements, manages, and evaluates reference/research consultations, outreach, and instructional services and programs designed for students and faculty in the broad range of STEM-H fields.

Outreach and Engagement Strategy and Mercer Library/SciTech Campus Strategy and Operations

• Responsible for the operations of the Science & Technology Campus’s Mercer Library. Responsible for coordination of instruction, reference services, collections services, and outreach to programs supported on the Science & Technology Campus including, but not limited to, the Governor’s School at Innovation Park and the George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program.

Required Qualifications:

The following education and/or skill sets are required:

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program OR an equivalent certified foreign degree;
• Progressively responsible management level professional experience (typically 3+ years);
• Demonstrated capability in providing responsive and quality reference, instruction, and collaborative library research services to users in STEM-H in face-to-face and online settings;
• Understanding of the changing educational and research needs of STEM-H program students, faculty, and researchers;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Ability to build collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships with people of varying backgrounds; and
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following education and/or skill sets are preferred:

• Graduate degree in a STEM-H discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated leadership potential; and
• Experience in an academic research library environment involving multiple libraries and campuses.

Salary / Appointment / Benefits

Salary is commensurate with professional experience and academic qualifications. Salary at appointment is dependent upon rank: Librarian I (not less than $65,000), Librarian II (not less than $70,000), Librarian III (not less than $75,000), and Librarian IV (not less than $80,000). 12-month professional faculty appointment with rank; health plan options and paid life insurance; several retirement plans, including TIAA-CREF; 24 vacation days and 12 paid holidays; tuition waiver for self.

The George Mason University library system, comprised of a large central library and three other distinctive libraries, is located on three campuses in the Northern Virginia-metropolitan Washington, D.C., region. Serving an R1 University, the Mason Libraries pursues an ambitious programmatic agenda in all areas that are key to a contemporary academic research library—innovative technologies and services, expert library faculty and skilled staff members, growing collections, digital scholarship, publishing, modern facilities, and transformational partnerships. For more information, visit us at https://library.gmu.edu.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA457Z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and three current professional references. References must include name, address, phone number, and email address. Questions should be directed to University Libraries HR (ulibhr@gmu.edu), Office of the Dean of Libraries.

Equity Statement: 

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.