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Pittsburg State University invites applications for the position of Dean/Academic Rank of the Library. The primary function of the Dean is to provide oversight for all areas of library administration including strategic and long-range planning, policy and program development, fiscal management, personnel supervision and mentorship, utilization of emerging technologies, and development of internal and external partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities

35% - Leadership
• Ensure the Library collaborates to develop and advance the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the division in alignment with the university strategic plan.
• Provide overall leadership of the unit by creating an environment based on open communication and trust which stimulates and supports quality improvement.
• Communicate priorities to the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, as well as institutional priorities to the unit.
• Advocate for Library and work to enhance research support and library resources for faculty and staff.
• Attend required division and university meetings, contribute to shared governance and communicate unit and university information to faculty and staff.

20% - Management and Administration
• Share responsibility with the unit for achieving the Library’s strategic goals.
• Ensure reporting and assessment results are submitted to the Provost & Vice-president of Academic Affairs in a timely fashion.
• Manage and monitor the Library’s budget, facilities, and equipment and prepares recommendations and requests for new resources as needed to support enrollments and the unit’s strategic priorities.
• Responsible for learning the institution's software to be a resource for the unit.
• Identify new library technologies and initiatives impacting the colleges and university and facilitate their implementation in support of students, faculty and staff.
• Meet administrative directives for planning, unit review, measurement of learning outcomes, assessment and other initiatives.
• Work closely with other PSU Departments such as Information Technology and PSU Foundation to further Library goals and services.
• Ensure faculty and staff searches are coordinated and targeted to the needs of Library.
• Encourage faculty and staff to take advantage of appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Recruit, evaluate, and recommend qualified candidates in the search process.
• Ensure comprehensive training, foster integration within the unit, and provide access to appropriate professional development opportunities for new and current faculty and staff.
• Monitor office schedules, work assignments and provide supervision for administrative support staff.
• Ensure all faculty and staff receive written performance reviews as required.

15% - Financial Stewardship
• Plan and prepare a budget in consultation with the Provost & Vice-president of Academic Affairs.
• Administer the college strategic plan and budget within fiscal guidelines.
• Maintain planning and financial records.
• Ability to negotiate contracts, work with vendors, and manage product licensing.

10% - Curriculum, Instruction, and Librarianship
• Support the college’s strategic priorities and meet relevant accreditation or other standards and stakeholders needs.
• Contribute and promote innovative and high-quality librarianship to enhance the teaching capacity of Library staff.
• Ensure library instruction is current, supports the needs of students in university academic programs, offer community programs, and promote high quality librarianship.
• Receive input from faculty and staff concerning the equipment and supply needs of the Library.
• Supervise the review, evaluation, and selection of equipment and supplies in consultation with the Provost & Vice-president of Academic Affairs.
• Oversee the ordering, purchase, distribution and maintenance of Library equipment and supplies.
• Identifies Library resources in support of academic programs and research.

10% - Promotion and Tenure
• Ensure the promotion and tenure documents are consistent with university policies and criteria, and that criteria for tenure and promotion are appropriate to the profession and to the Library’s mission.
• Provide mentoring assistance to pre-tenure faculty preparing to go up for tenure.
• In recommending faculty for reappointment, promotion and tenure, the dean ensures that relevant criteria are met and standards upheld.
• Provide support and mentoring for instructional faculty and specifically assist pre-tenure faculty as they proceed through the Tenure and Promotion process.

10% - Miscellaneous
• Encourage and create opportunities for collegial community involvement for faculty, staff and students.
• Initiate evaluations of programs, functions and activities.
• Participate in University committees as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required Education and Experience -

• Master’s degree in Library Science, Master of Library and Information Science, or equivalent terminal degree from an American Library Association accredited institution or equivalent required; additional advanced degree preferred.
• 1 year leadership experience in higher education.
• 1 Year oversight of financial resources.
• 1 year experience with faculty search and recruitment efforts.
• 1 year of administrative experience in a Library setting including personnel supervision.

Preferred Education and Experience -

• Doctorate in related field.
• 4 years of progressively responsible administrative and leadership experience in an academic library or similar setting that includes personnel supervision.
• 1 year experience with shared governance in a collective bargaining unionized faculty environment.
• 1 year fundraising and grant-writing experience.
• Research or publication evidence by professional presentations, articles, book chapters, or similar scholarly products.

Job Type: Unclassified

Appointment length: 12 months

Screening Services (Background Checks): Your employment with Pittsburg State University is contingent on satisfactory criminal background and sex offender checks.

Application Documents Required:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information (email and phone) of three professional references.
• Unofficial Transcript

*Consolidate documents into a maximum of 2 to upload.

First Consideration Date: April 18, 2025

Search Committee Chair: Emily McElwain (emcelwain@pittstate.edu)

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Pittsburg State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.