Serials & Electronic Resources Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Serials & Electronic Resources Specialist Department Clark Library Staff Job Code C66513 Job category Full Time Staff Terms and Hours Full time Non-exempt hourly; 40 hour work week Salary Range Starting at $21.05 hourly rate; commensurate with experience Job Summary

The Serials & Electronic Resources Specialist provides critical support for student and faculty research and learning in all campus discipline by performing essential tasks throughout the continuing resources' lifecycle, including ordering, invoicing, receiving, activation, subscription maintenance, and troubleshooting. Working closely with colleagues in Collections Services and liaison librarians, the person in this position will manage and maintain access to the resources in the library's collection, in both print and electronic formats. This position reports to the Collections Technology Senior Librarian.

Core Duties

• Develop and maintain serials acquisitions and check-in records, working within time and cost constraints to ensure the timely and efficient management of processes and workflows.
• Secure access for new electronic journals and ensure accurate portfolio information for electronic collection content.
• Prepare and receive periodical binding shipments.
• Process incoming print journal issues for collection services, claim periodical titles, and oversee the cancellation and replacement of periodicals upon request.
• Oversee serials weeding projects by managing the removal of materials deemed dated, damaged, missing or marked as limited retention while maintaining accurate record keeping using both electronic and manual processes.
• Monitor Community Zone updates for content additions, deletions, and updates.
• Oversee the ordering and renewal of continuing resources in all formats. Process, reconcile, and record payments for continuing resources, ensuring accuracy in amounts and fund codes.
• Maintain all purchasing information for databases, eBook packages, and journal packages.
• Collaborate with Collection Services Librarians to identify and perform serials cataloging maintenance tasks including but not limited to processing title changes, frequency changes, and ceased or dead titles.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve routine and non-routine complex access problems related to continuing resources in a timely manner, working in direct collaboration with library staff and vendors.
• Communicate with subject liaison librarians regarding renewal terms and recommendations based on historical assessment of pricing, usage, and cost per use, serving as a point of contact with agents and publishers concerning subscription service problems and changes.
• Oversee and direct the work of one to two student employees assigned to support related serials and electronic resources duties, assist in the backup of student employee supervision in the absence of lead staff or supervisor.
• Collect and compile usage statistics on a monthly and annual basis, drafting reports and documents as assigned.
• Create and maintain policy and process documentation associated with related duties and responsibilities.
• Collaborate with member libraries of the Orbis Cascade Alliance to strategize and recommend shared benefits and innovations that are emerging in academic libraries.
• Participate in library-wide and staff development activities and meetings.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
• Required: One to two years of recent (within 5 years) professional experience in a library technical service setting, including familiarity with technical services processes, continuing resource standards and emerging library technologies.
• Preferred: Prior experience in higher education library
• Preferred: Familiarity with COUNTER reporting standards.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• None.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of standard library systems and procedures as they apply to the position; working knowledge of serials and acquisitions subsystems of an integrated library system (preferably Alma and Alma Analytics); familiarity with MARC21, MARC Format for Holdings Data.
• Ability to follow through with and completing projects, including multiple projects being worked on at the same time.
• Strong orientation towards taking initiative and ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, quality, professional development, and process improvements.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, be flexible with changing circumstances, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of policies, processes, individuals, and groups.
• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner and communicator with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Proficient computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software, email applications, and library automation systems; ability to quickly learn and use new technologies and applications in depth and at level of proficiency required for duties of the position.
• All University of Portland positions require the ability to quickly learn and use new technologies, software, and applications in depth and at level of proficiency required for duties of the position. In most situations, the necessity of learning, using, and supporting new technologies, software, and/or applications does not change a job description nor make the position one that involves higher level duties.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, preform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• As needed: stand and walk; twist, bend, lift, and carry objects up to 25 pounds; move from floor to floor; push and pull fully loaded book carts (carts may weigh up to several hundred pounds when fully loaded with books and related materials.)
• As needed: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.
• As needed: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others.

Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours when required by projects.
• Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.
• Working environment: library setting with books (including book-related dust particles) and other library materials.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University's mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University's mission statement states in relevant part: "we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world." The University's Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: "Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity."

• The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.

• The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.

• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable laws and University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.

• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting University business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.

• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University's home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S358-2023 Number of Vacancies 1 Estimated Start Date Open Date Close Date Open Until Filled No Special Instructions Summary

Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).