Head of Instruction Services

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

2d

About The Position

Purpose: The Head of Instruction Services leads Santa Clara University Library’s information literacy program, including envisioning goals, setting priorities, and directing implementation. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Learning & Engagement, this role directly supervises a team of three in the Instruction Services department, and coordinates the work of teaching staff across the library to advance program level information literacy priorities. This role also monitors the professional landscape for emerging areas of instruction focus and engages library staff and related stakeholders in discussions around how to respond to those trends or opportunities. The Head of Instruction Services works closely with the Assistant Dean for Learning & Engagement, the Head of Research, Outreach & Inclusion, and the Undergraduate Learning Librarian to integrate information literacy throughout the curriculum and to support teaching librarians in continuing to develop their instruction skills and pedagogical approaches. The Head of Instruction Services is also responsible for building relationships and engaging with campus stakeholder groups to ensure that the information literacy program activities are aligned with and reflect Santa Clara University institutional needs and priorities. This position will also provide research assistance to students, faculty, and staff; work with faculty as a subject liaison to academic departments; create instructional opportunities for use and evaluation of information resources; and manage and develop collections in assigned subject areas.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited (or equivalent) library science or information science program
• Minimum three years of increasingly responsible, professional, relevant work experience in an academic library, with a particular expertise in the delivery of user-centered teaching
• Strong commitment to information literacy instruction, with demonstrated experience teaching both in-person and through online platforms
• Experience in designing and coordinating instruction assessment projects, defining research questions, documenting and analyzing data, and providing recommendations for improvements
• Experience conducting analyses and creating customized reports using software applications
• Prepared with the foundational knowledge and interpersonal skills necessary to lead teams, conduct performance appraisals, and support staff development
• Demonstrated skills in leadership and creative problem solving
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and an ability to lead in a shared decision-making environment
• Demonstrated commitment to and support for diversity and inclusion
• Record of scholarly ability and community/professional service appropriate for appointment at the rank of Senior Assistant, Associate Librarian or Librarian

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of current technologies for data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Experience with online survey design tools (such as Qualtrics and Google Forms)
• Experience using Canvas (or equivalent), LibGuides, Camtasia, HTML
• Demonstrated commitment to monitoring and responding to emerging trends in information technology, including Generative AI and algorithmic literacy
• Understands how to design assessment projects, define research questions, document and analyze data, and provide recommendations for improvements
• Proficient in teaching with and assessing student learning within the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy
• Conversant with the tenets and practices of critical information literacy and inclusive pedagogy
• Familiar with a wide range of research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative)
• Awareness of emerging trends in higher education and academic librarianship
• Commitment to serving the needs of library users and to advocating for their needs
• Current with technologies for data collection, manipulation, analysis, and reporting
• Experience providing in-person and virtual reference work, preferably in an academic library
• Experience conducting analyses and creating customized reports using statistical software applications (such as Excel or qualitative analysis software)
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, written, collaboration, and presentation skills for communicating in multiple formats with a wide range of constituencies
• Aptitude for designing and delivering teaching in diverse modalities (in person, online, and hybrid), including creating web-based learning modules
• Ability to lead a team, exercising strong analytical, problem solving, and decision making skills
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively, both as a team member and independently
• Ability to manage human resources (supervision, staff development, mentoring, etc.)
• Ability to delegate responsibility appropriately
• Ability to provide exceptional service to a diverse community.
• Ability to engage in professional development activities and contribute to scholarly conversations within the profession

Responsibilities

• Management, Supervision and Leadership (25%) Provides vision and leadership in directing and managing library instruction programs and initiatives
• Participates in library strategic planning and works collaboratively with other library department heads to carry out the Library’s strategic goals
• Directly supervises a team of three (Undergraduate Learning Librarian, Life Sciences Librarian, and Humanities Librarian) in the Instruction Services Department and may supervise additional staff/students as needed
• Leads department assessment efforts and participates in and advances the library’s shared assessment framework activities
• Serves on the Library Management Council, an advisory administrative body made up of the Dean, Assistant Deans, and department heads
• Information Literacy Activities (45%) Designs, implements, delivers, and assesses a comprehensive information literacy instruction program in person and online that aligns with institutional priorities and reflects emerging areas of information literacy professional practice and interest
• Advances a critical information literacy approach to the Library’s instruction program by providing librarian and faculty professional learning opportunities, and by developing shared curriculum for classroom settings and other learning environments
• Promotes adoption and integration of instructional technologies, including deepening use of the learning management system and Springshare LibGuides platform, and remaining attentive to evolving technologies that would expand the Library’s instructional reach
• Collaborates with the Undergraduate Learning Librarian in constructing repositories of digital learning objects to facilitate re-use and scalability of information literacy activities
• Leads assessment efforts with the Undergraduate Learning Librarian and the Instruction Services Department to assess the information literacy program’s impact on student learning and overall effectiveness
• Partners with the Assistant Dean for Learning & Engagement and the Head of Research, Outreach & Inclusion to extend and deepen information literacy instruction across the curriculum and co-curriculum
• Extends instructional expertise to support other high-priority campus initiatives, providing educational interventions and supports for diverse student and faculty populations
• Subject Liaison Activities (20%) Acts as liaison for one or two academic departments
• Provides in-person and virtual research assistance and consultations to students, faculty, staff, and visitors
• Designs, develops, implements, and assesses in-person and virtual library instruction and technologies
• Selects and evaluates library material in liaison subject areas to support the University’s curricular and research needs
• Works with assigned subject area faculty on scholarly communication issues
• Service and Scholarship (10%) Serves on and/or chairs University and University Library committees, working groups, and task forces
• Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations
• Conducts research related to library science and/or another appropriate academic discipline; presents results at conferences and/or through publication
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Santa Clara University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level