Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Portland State University
Position Details
Proposed Start Date11/03/2025RankC - Assistant ProfessorWorking TitleSocial Sciences LibrarianPosition NumberD98796RepresentationAU - AAUP Faculty TypeTenure TrackFixed Term End Date:Position FTE1.0Term of Service12 month
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
The Portland State University Library seeks an enthusiastic Social Sciences Librarian to join the vibrant community of Oregon’s most affordable and diverse research university.
Position Summary
The Social Sciences Librarian consults and collaborates with scholars; participates in a dynamic instructional program, including classroom and online instruction; provides reference and information services for the University’s students and faculty as well as members of the community; and selects information resources to support the instructional and research needs of a diverse institution. This position serves as the liaison to academic units such as Public Health, Urban Studies and Planning, and Politics and Global Affairs, and other social sciences departments, depending on the needs of the Library. Some evening and weekend instruction and/or reference duty is required. Portland State University faculty members contribute to faculty governance activities within the Library and the University, engage in community and professional service, and pursue an active scholarly agenda including publication, and research, and seeking grants as appropriate. This full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position reports to the Research & Instruction Services Manager.
Instructional Activities
- Supports the instructional and research needs of assigned units. Collaborates with these units in assessing information needs and the availability of information resources; cultivates bridges for service and teaching; works with teaching faculty to develop discipline-appropriate instruction; and provides research consultations for faculty and students
- Participates in the Library’s information literacy and general instruction program, face-to-face and online. Shares in the development and delivery of course-related instruction in the general education program
- Provides reference and information services for the University’s students and faculty as well as members of the community at the reference desk and through various information and communications technologies. May include some evening and weekend hours
- Develops learning objects, video tutorials, and guides
- Participates in continual library planning and assessment activities, including the collection of relevant data on inputs, outputs, and outcomes
- Maintains awareness of scholarly communication and copyright issues in general and within assigned disciplines and contributes to advocacy efforts. Keeps colleagues informed of current issues and developments in liaison areas
- Occasionally directs the work of part-time student employees or interns
Research/Scholarly Activities
- Pursues an active publication and research agenda
- Meets expectations for faculty scholarship in accordance with the Library and University’s promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review guidelines
University Service Activities
- Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the Library and the University
- Establishes short and long-range goals, objectives, and priorities; aligned with those of the Library and the University
- Contributes to the work of relevant Library and University committees and work groups.
- Supports Library and University development efforts
Professional Service Activities
- Contributes to the work of professional associations: local, regional, national, or international
- Maintains current professional expertise through participation in workshops, classes, professional associations and networks, and through continued awareness of the scholarly literature
Other Responsibilities
- Engages in community endeavors that may benefit from one’s professional expertise, and be a good ambassador for the University
- Contributes to a positive and collaborative environment based on mutual respect, service, open communication, and cooperation
- Maintains effective and productive communications with colleagues, administrators, and community users and organizations
- Other duties as assigned
Primary ActivityI - InstructionalMinimum Qualifications
- ALA-accredited or equivalent Master’s degree in library and information studies
- Two years of experience working in an academic or research library
- Evidence of effective communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience providing instruction or training
- Experience developing online learning objects such as tutorials, videos using multimedia software and platforms
- Demonstrated familiarity with information literacy concepts
- Degree in the social sciences or prior experience as a liaison working with a social science or public health department
- Evidence of professional service and scholarship
- Ability to work positively and flexibly in a fast-paced, changing environment in collaboration with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders
Key Cultural Competencies
- Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
- Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
- Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Professional Standards of Conduct
At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/professional-standards-conduct-policy.
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity. The starting annual salary for this position will be $89,460 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Supplemental Questions Reference Requests
Accept ReferencesNoMinimum Number of References0Maximum Number of ReferencesCutoff DateSpecial Instruction for Reference Provider
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you have an ALA-accredited or equivalent Master’s degree in library and information studies?
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU website
- Indeed
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Higher Ed Jobs
- HERCJobs
- Referral
- Professional Listserv- please specify in comment box in the next question
- Professional Journal- please specify in comment box in the next question
- Other- please specify in comment box in the next question
- If you selected Other, please describe.
(Open Ended Question)
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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