Head of Instruction Services

Santa Clara University•Santa Clara, CA

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

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
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
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
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