Career Center

The Oklahoma State University Library seeks a Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) Department Head to lead a unit that includes the campus archives as well as materials documenting the histories and cultures of Oklahoma. We desire someone who is creative, has a passion for learning and teaching, and is eager to drive their own projects, collaborate, innovate, and take on challenges.  The SCUA Department Head is a member of the OSU Library faculty reporting to the Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections.  This is a tenure-track position with anticipated initial appointment at the rank of Assistant/Associate/Full Professor. 

Responsibilities: As the Department Head, you will provide administrative oversight and direction of SCUA and its teams, with a reparative approach in mind. Among other tasks, this will include: promoting SCUA materials and extending the impact and influence of the collections; supervising departmental staff and students; planning, assessing, and overseeing departmental services and projects; selecting archival and collections material, with attention to diverse representation and community-engaged projects; collaborating with others both within and outside of the Library; and working with Library leadership in support of the program. The Department Head will also serve as part of the Library’s Disaster Planning and Response Team (DPART) and as a point person for campus records management, which will include fulfilling the Library’s role in dealing with University records retention and destruction requests.

In addition to undertaking traditional responsibilities such as reference, research, and instruction, we seek someone who is knowledgeable about current archival trends and conversations and who is open to newer digital technologies and their application to archives.  The successful candidate will develop creative projects and services reflecting priorities adopted by the OSU Libraries and will participate in weekly Library team meetings. 

Required Qualifications:  A masters or doctorate in library or information science or a relevant field; a minimum of five years of relevant professional archival experience; a proven commitment to public and reference services; past supervisory experience; participation in community-driven, community-engaged, or community-based projects; demonstrated collegiality, an appreciation for diversity, and the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment; and exceptional core competencies including leadership, communication, and organization.

Candidates are encouraged to view Dean Sheila Johnson’s expectations for Library leaders:  https://library.okstate.edu/about/dean-of-libraries/. For general information about the Library, see https://library.okstate.edu/about/dean-of-libraries/.

The salary is a minimum $85,000 annually for a 12-month appointment with a generous holiday schedule, health care plans, and retirement options.  As a new library faculty member, you will receive start-up funding for research and/or professional travel and have access to the Library’s grant writer and development team as well as a full communication team.    

Deadline: Application review begins on July 5, 2022 and continues until the position is filled. For consideration of your application materials, you should apply through the University’s website at https://hr.okstate.edu/employment-opportunities. Along with the listed qualifications, please indicate in your cover letter any other professional experiences, certifications, or accomplishments that you would bring to this position. Questions about the application process may be directed to Mary Larson, Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, at [email protected] or (405) 744-6588.  Candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation to faculty and staff.  The successful candidate will be required to submit to a background check.

Oklahoma State University is committed to excellence in diversity and inclusion and has received over twenty-five numerous awards for their efforts and progress in this area. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for open positions.

OSU is an AA/EEO/E-Verify Employer.  Hiring contingent upon available funding.