19-45 Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - Library Services (Special Collections)



19-45 Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - Library Services (Special Collections)

Location

700 S. High St. West Chester, PA

Job Type

Regular / Full-Time

Job Number

19-45

Department

Library Services

Division

Special Collections

Opening Date

10/08/2018

Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success.  West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Libraries seek an experienced and innovative librarian to join the faculty as our Special Collections Librarian.  The Special Collections Librarian will provide vision and leadership in the ongoing development of West Chester University Special Collections, housed on the sixth floor of the Francis Harvey Green Library and home to a rich collection of scholarly materials. This position will be responsible for expanding the impact and reach of Special Collections by guiding the collection's growth and providing instruction and outreach to the University and wider communities. The Special Collections Librarian will have frequent contact with established and potential donors, provide research consultation and instructional support for faculty and other researchers, and oversee programs, exhibitions and publications involving Special Collections materials.
 
This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty position carrying full faculty status and responsibilities, including scholarship and service to meet both the Libraries' and the University's requirements for tenure and promotion. West Chester University Libraries is an evolving organization, and to be successful the Special Collections Librarian must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills and the ability to work in an environment where flexibility and collaboration are essential.
 
Responsibilities Include:
 
Instruction

  • Provides instruction for the use of Special Collections materials, research methodology, and primary resource materials across the curriculum to students, faculty, and others.
  • Collaborates with faculty to create information literacy instruction sessions both in specific departments and in general education courses.
  • Creates instructional materials that support both research and teaching.
Special Collections
  • Works with the University Advancement division and the WCU Foundation and others on campus to support the cultivation of donors and the marketing of West Chester University.
  • Plans and implements programs, exhibitions, publication and other outreach efforts in collaboration with the wider University and surrounding communities.
  • Collaborates with the Library's Digital Collections Initiatives Team as well as other librarians and support staff that interact with the Special Collections unit.
  • Establishes and manages functional priorities for processing, preservation, access, reference, instruction, outreach and assessment of Special Collections.
  • Manages physical and intellectual access to content in collections that support research and learning, and coordinates the processing and developing of finding aids using ArchiveSpace.
  • Manages the activities and duties of support staff/student worker/interns assigned to the department.
  • Evaluates the need for equipment and supplies and administer the unit's budget.
Research Assistance
  • Provides in-depth research assistance to Special Collections users.
  • Provides in person, chat, email, and telephone support at the Francis Harvey Green Library Research Help Desk during assigned day, evening, and weekend hours.
Continuing Scholarly Growth
  • Pursues scholarly growth through publications, presentations, professional activities, and other contributions to advance the profession.
  • Engages in scholarship that includes research, scholarly, or creative activities required for tenure and promotion.
Service
  • Provides service to the library, the university, and the profession through committee work, conference attendance, or similar endeavors.
  • Participates in library and university governance (shared governance).

Minimum Qualifications

  • An earned Master's in Library Science (MLS) or equivalent from an American Library Association accredited institution, including the completion of a concentration in archives/special collections, or a certificate in Arrangement & Description (A&D) from the Society of American Archivists (SAA).
  • 2 years-experience in special collection in an academic or in a research library.
  • Substantial experience in the instruction of special collections materials and other primary sources.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven ability to work effectively with colleagues, students, faculty, and staff.
  • Successful completion of an on-campus interview process that includes a teaching demonstration.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Second master's or advanced degree.
  • Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining successful donor relationships.
  • Experience with archival collections management platforms such as ArchiveSpace.
  • Experience with archival description standards such as EAD and DACS.

Special Instructions

Interested applicants should apply online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wcupa/default.cfm
West Chester University offers a competitive benefits package.  Rank and salary commensurate with experience.   
 
Application materials must include:

  1. Cover letter / letter of application.
  2. Curriculum Vitae.
  3. Names, affiliations and phone numbers of three professional references.
  4. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (pdf suggested); official transcripts will be requested prior to hire.
Review of applications will begin November 8, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.  Applicants must successfully complete the interview process, including a teaching demonstration, to be considered as a finalist.
 
Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU's educational mission and strategic plan Building on Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
 
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF)

Benefits available to permanent, full time faculty (including temporary, full time faculty with at least an academic year contract) or permanent, part time faculty (including temporary, part-time faculty with at least an academic year contract) scheduled to work at least 50% of full time.

 
Health Care Coverage

MEDICAL
COVERAGE – effective with date of hire

Faculty members may enroll in Highmark Preferred Provider Organization (PPOBlue). Newly hired employees pay 18% of coverage cost. Continuation of 18% cost for PPO Blue is contingent on participation in wellness program with non-participants paying 28% of coverage cost.

For employees hired on or after July 1, 2013 – if spouse is eligible for coverage under their own employer's plan, they are required to enroll in their own employer's plan as their primary coverage as a condition for eligibility for secondary coverage under the State System plan.

• PPOBlue – Plan from Highmark Blue Shield includes in-network office visits with co-payments and services at 100% with network deductible of $400 single / $800 family and no coinsurance; deductible of $800 single / $1,600 family and 20% coinsurance applied to out-of-network providers.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

Prescription drug coverage is included as part of the medical coverage, administered by Highmark Blue Shield and includes both retail and mail-order pharmacy coverage. Co-payments of $10 (generic), $30 (brand name formulary) and $50 (brand name non-formulary) for retail.

FACULTY HEALTH AND WELFARE COVERAGE

Administered by the Faculty Health and Welfare Fund for dental and vision benefits. Benefits are funded through employer contributions.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Pay for select medical and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis through payroll deductions. The Medical Reimbursement Account includes a debit card for immediate access.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

Term life policy provided by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education for permanent faculty members is based on one-time salary up to a maximum of $50,000.

VOLUNTARY LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE 

Income protection equal to 60% of gross annual base salary to a maximum of $5,000 monthly benefit with an option for a 90-day or 180-day benefit elimination period.

VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE & PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Optional Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for eligible faculty members and their family, with premium contributions made through payroll deduction. Maximum employee coverage is five times annual salary up to $500,000.

RETIREMENT PLAN OPTIONS (choose one):

Defined Benefit Plan* - State Employees' Retirement System (SERS)

Retirement income is based on a fixed formula that considers your years of service, age, and final average salary. The retirement benefit amount for vested participants is guaranteed and not affected by the investment earnings of the plan. Participants are 100% vested after 10 years of service (5 years if enrolled prior to January 1st, 2011). Visit the SERS website http://www.sers.pa.gov for more information.

OR

Defined Contribution Plan - Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

Retirement income from the ARP plan is determined by your account balance at the time of retirement, which is comprised of your employee contributions (5% of salary), the State System contributions (9.29% of salary) and any investment earnings based on the performance of the investments you choose. Participants are 100% vested from date of enrollment. Employees may enroll in any of the three available vendors, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF or VALIC.

*The Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) is a defined benefit plan for Pennsylvania's public school employees. If you are a current member of PSERS, the State System is able to continue your enrollment in PSERS or you may elect SERS and opt for multiple service which combines service in both SERS and PSERS to receive a single retirement benefit, or you may enroll in the ARP plan.

SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN OPTIONS

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education faculty members have the option to contribute additional pre-tax funds for retirement. You can choose either or both a 403(b) plan (Tax Sheltered Annuity) and/or the 457 plan (Deferred Compensation). Roth 457 after-tax pay option is also available.

STATE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) is a confidential program which provides a wide range of no-cost services to address a broad range of problems. This program is administered by the Commonwealth's Office of Administration who has contracted with United Behavioral Health (UBH) to provide SEAP services. Employees and family members are entitled to up to three (3) counseling sessions at no charge. SEAP's phone number is 1-800-692-7459.

TUITION WAIVER

• Faculty members are entitled to a total waiver at any of the 14 State System universities

• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner is entitled to a total waiver at the university where the faculty member is employed up to the first undergraduate degree

• Children including children of same-sex domestic partner are entitled to a total waiver at the university where the faculty member is employed; 50% waiver at State System universities other than at the university where faculty member is employed. This waiver is up to the first undergraduate degree or until they reach age 25.

SICK LEAVE

• Permanent faculty members accrue 15 days leave for each academic year of service

• Permanent part-time faculty members accrue leave on a pro-rated basis

• Temporary faculty members appointed full-time for one academic year accrue and may use 15 days leave during academic year

• Temporary faculty members appointed full-time for one academic semester accrue and may use 7.5 days leave during the semester

• Temporary part-time faculty members accrue one day of leave per semester

This summary highlights the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Health Program and Health and Welfare Fund for State System faculty members covered by the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) collective bargaining agreement. The benefits described are available to most faculty; however, certain eligibility requirements must be met.

Information is provided for general purposes only. Legal Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies that may arise. For additional information concerning these benefits, contact your human resources office. Questions on health and welfare fund benefits should be addressed to the Faculty Health and Welfare Fund. Additional information is also available at http://www.passhe.edu/inside/hr/syshr/Pages/unit_info.aspx?q=apscuf . Benefits, benefit levels, and eligibility rules are subject to change.

Agency
West Chester University
Address
201 Carter Drive, Suite 100

West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19383
Phone
610-436-2591