Head of Instructional Services

Portland State University Library
Head of Instructional Services
(Unclassified, Tenure-Track)
Position Announcement
July 2010

General Description:
The Head of Instructional Services leads the design, implementation, and assessment of the Portland State Library’s instructional services; coordinates the teaching activities of the Library; and integrates information literacy into the curriculum. The Head of Instructional Services develops creative strategies to deliver library instruction; identifies best practices and standards of excellence for teaching; develops a positive and shared vision of library instruction; and provides training and continuing education to library instructors. The Head is responsible for the collection and reporting of data for the instructional program and student learning outcomes assessment. She or he also manages and develops library teaching facilities, including the Library instruction classrooms, participates in providing reference services, and serves as a liaison to one or more departments within the Graduate School of Education. The Head of Instructional Services supervises the Distance Learning Librarian and the University Studies and Education Librarian ( responsible for the coordination of general education). The Head of Instructional Services is professionally active and contributes to developments in the field. Portland State faculty contribute to faculty governance activities within the Library and the University, engage in community and professional service, and pursue an active publication and research agenda. This full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position with the rank of Assistant Professor, reports to the Assistant University Librarian for Public Services. All faculty members must adhere to University and Library policies and procedures, including Portland State University’s Professional Standards of Conduct.

Specific Responsibilities
• Coordinate instruction services at the Portland State Library, including the teaching activities of the department's fourteen reference librarians, ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of instruction services.
• Work collaboratively with librarians, teaching faculty, student services units, and Library personnel, to integrate information literacy into the curriculum and increase access to Library instructional services.
• Teach students formally and informally, in person and online, in the use of research tools and methods, and foster the development of their information literacy skills.
• Establish goals and assessment methods for student learning outcomes in General Education and departmental instruction.
• Work with departmental liaison librarians to develop instructional services for academic departments.
• Work with the Distance Learning Librarian to integrate library instructional services into the University’s Learning Management System (LMS) and develop innovative services for distance learners.
• Partner with the General Education Coordinator to develop instructional services in University Studies and writing classes.
• Establish short and long-range goals, objectives, and priorities, aligned with those of the Library and the University. Participate in continual instruction program planning and assessment activities, including the collection and reporting of relevant data on program effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with community partners on University initiatives such as the articulation of Pre-K-20 information literacy standards and outcomes.
• Build on existing relationships with academic departments, the Writing Center, University Studies, and the Skills Enhancement and Tutoring Center to develop additional partnerships to expand library support of the University curricula.
• Act as resident expert on Library instruction and information literacy, keeping colleagues informed of current issues and developments in Library instruction, including learning technology and pedagogy. Train and support new providers of library instruction.
• Maintain current expertise through participation in workshops, classes, professional associations and networks, and through continued awareness of the scholarly literature.
• Provide reference and information services for the University’s students and faculty as well as members of the general public through work at the reference desk and through various information and communications technologies. Includes work during some evening and weekend hours.
• Select books, serials, databases, and other information resources to support the instructional and research needs of students and scholars in an assigned discipline. This assigned area may change according to the needs of the University.
• Contribute to the work of relevant committees and workgroups in the Library and the University, as well as to the work of professional associations, locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally.
• Pursue active publication and research agenda and meet expectations for faculty service and scholarship in accordance with the Library and University’s promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
• ALA-accredited MLS;
• At least 3 years experience coordinating, developing, and delivering broad-based library instruction services within an academic library;
• Demonstrated teaching and group communications skills;
• Supervisory and training experience;
• Experience assessing instruction services and student learning outcomes;
• Experience delivering information literacy programming using learning management systems;
• A strong customer-service orientation;
• Experience managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
• Knowledge of relevant trends, techniques, and issues in academia and library service and instruction;
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear statistical and executive reports;
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications
• A graduate degree in an education-related field;
• Experience working in a fast-paced, changing environment while collaborating with diverse colleagues, faculty, students, and the general public;
• Experience serving Latino populations.

The Environment:
• Located in one of the most livable cities in the United States, Portland State University is a nationally recognized leader in community-based learning, and is located on the tree-lined blocks of downtown Portland. The University offers its 28,000 students more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

Salary and Benefits:
• Compensation and rank are commensurate with experience The salary range begins at a minimum of $61,320, and includes an excellent benefits package including fully paid health care, reduced tuition rates, and a generous retirement and vacation package.

Deadlines:
• Review of applicants will begin approximately September 1, 2010, and will remain open until finalists are identified.

To Apply:
• Send cover letter; resume; and names, address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of four references to: Anne Keech, Search Coordinator, Keecha@pdx.edu. Transcripts and background checks will be required for finalists. In cover letter, address how your knowledge and experiences meet qualifications. Electronic application materials are strongly preferred (Word or .pdf documents). However, materials may be mailed to:

Portland State University Library – LIBW
Post Office Box 1151
c/o Anne Keech, Search Coordinator
Portland, OR 97207-1151

Portland State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity