Grinnell College Head of Technical Services

GRINNELL COLLEGE LIBRARIES – HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES (START SPRING/SUMMER 2025).

Grinnell College Libraries seeks applications from innovative, dedicated, and team-oriented librarians interested in becoming our Head of Technical Services.  This is a renewable, non-tenure-track position reporting to the Librarian of the College and appointment is possible at either the Assistant or Associate Professor rank, depending upon qualifications.  The person moving into this vital leadership role will supervise and facilitate the work of cataloging, ERM, and acquisition staff; perform original and copy cataloging; create metadata for licensed and open source information resources; manage critical components of the electronic resources life cycle; and collaborate with other library departments to support our systems and discovery platforms, including our Unified Library Management System (Ex Libris Alma/Primo).  All librarians have departmental liaison responsibilities which include collection development and library instruction, such as one-shot sessions and research consultations in liaison area(s). The Libraries will support the successful candidate in conducting scholarship and service activities consistent with a faculty appointment and in maintaining skills and knowledge through continuing professional development. Partial remote work is possible. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, but minimum starting salary would be $75,000 for Assistant Professor and $82,000 for Associate Professor.

 Required:

• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant library experience, pre- or post-MLS
• Working knowledge of cataloging conventions, such as metadata standards and schema, MARC21, LCC, LCSH, RDA, FRBR, and emerging linked data standards.
• Supervisory experience and/or evidence of the ability to be an effective team leader who fosters an inclusive, efficient, and collegial workplace.
• Knowledge of issues related to electronic resource management, record loading, and batch processing.
• Interest in the instructional and liaison responsibilities of the position and advancing the Libraries’ foundational commitment to research education.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Flexibility, self-motivation, and a strong interest in joining a collaborative work environment.
• Ability to be effective and inclusive in working with a diverse campus community that makes heavy demands on library services.

Grinnell College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college with a strong tradition of social responsibility. In letters of application, candidates should discuss their interest in developing as a librarian in a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction.  They should also discuss their potential to contribute to a college community that maintains a diversity of people and perspectives as one of its core values.  Candidates will need to upload a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and provide email addresses for three professional reference.

Review of applications will begin Feb. 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.  Please visit our application website at https://jobs.grinnell.edu to find more details about the job and submit applications online. Questions about this search should be directed to the search chair, Mark Christel, at librarysearch@grinnell.edu or 641-269-3351.

Grinnell College is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and nondiscriminatory educational environment for all College community members. It is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admission, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, and activities. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, disability, creed, or any other protected class.

An offer for this position will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.