Grinnell College
Library - Head of Technical Services Job at Grinnell College in Grinnell
Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, US, 50177
Description
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 five cataloging, ERM, and acquisition staff. This position leads the development, implementation, and assessment of processes essential to information discovery and access, including processes for: original and copy cataloging; metadata creation for licensed and open source information resources; strategic approaches to electronic resource acquisition and management; and collaboration with other library departments to support our systems and discovery platforms, primarily Ex Libris Alma/Primo. The Head of Technical services will join a team of teacher-librarians and share in 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 $76,000 for Assistant Professor and $85,000 for Associate Professor.
Required:
• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant library experience, pre- or post-MLS
• 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.
• Working knowledge of cataloging conventions, such as metadata standards and schema, MARC21, LCC, LCSH, and emerging linked data standards.
• 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.
Qualifications
• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant library experience, pre- or post-MLS
• Supervisory experience and/or evidence of the ability to be an effective team leader who fosters an inclusive, efficient, and collegial workplace.
Application Instructions
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 references Review of applications will begin Nov. 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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. Discrimination and harassment on any of the bases covered by state or federal antidiscrimination statutes is unlawful and a violation of Grinnell College policy.
Grinnell College recognizes that harassment can relate to an individual's membership in more than one protected class. Targeting individuals on the basis of their membership in any protected class is also a violation of Grinnell's Community Standards and Responsibilities and may violate the College's Hate Crime and Bias-Motivated Incident Policy. Under these circumstances, the College will coordinate the investigation and resolution, provided that doing so does not unduly delay prompt and equitable resolution under this policy.
This policy prohibits sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence against Grinnell College community members of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This policy also prohibits gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature.
The College has grievance procedures for any individual who has experienced harassment or discrimination and wishes to pursue resolution.
An offer for this position will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.
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 five cataloging, ERM, and acquisition staff. This position leads the development, implementation, and assessment of processes essential to information discovery and access, including processes for: original and copy cataloging; metadata creation for licensed and open source information resources; strategic approaches to electronic resource acquisition and management; and collaboration with other library departments to support our systems and discovery platforms, primarily Ex Libris Alma/Primo. The Head of Technical services will join a team of teacher-librarians and share in 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 $76,000 for Assistant Professor and $85,000 for Associate Professor.
Required:
• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant library experience, pre- or post-MLS
• 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.
• Working knowledge of cataloging conventions, such as metadata standards and schema, MARC21, LCC, LCSH, and emerging linked data standards.
• 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.
Qualifications
• Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant library experience, pre- or post-MLS
• Supervisory experience and/or evidence of the ability to be an effective team leader who fosters an inclusive, efficient, and collegial workplace.
Application Instructions
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 references Review of applications will begin Nov. 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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. Discrimination and harassment on any of the bases covered by state or federal antidiscrimination statutes is unlawful and a violation of Grinnell College policy.
Grinnell College recognizes that harassment can relate to an individual's membership in more than one protected class. Targeting individuals on the basis of their membership in any protected class is also a violation of Grinnell's Community Standards and Responsibilities and may violate the College's Hate Crime and Bias-Motivated Incident Policy. Under these circumstances, the College will coordinate the investigation and resolution, provided that doing so does not unduly delay prompt and equitable resolution under this policy.
This policy prohibits sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence against Grinnell College community members of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This policy also prohibits gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature.
The College has grievance procedures for any individual who has experienced harassment or discrimination and wishes to pursue resolution.
An offer for this position will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.