Career Center

The University of Southern California (USC) Libraries (Los Angeles, CA) seek an innovative, service-oriented librarian to join the Social and Behavioral Sciences library service team, which supports students and researchers in the fields of education, social work, gerontology, and applied psychology. Reporting to the Head of the team, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Librarian will develop services for the diverse user communities of the masters and doctoral programs in the Rossier School of Education. 

We value qualified candidates who can bring to our community a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, who are motivated by a passion to develop transformative library services and an investment in the future of librarianship and archives, and who are creative in identifying and solving problems within a collegial and collaborative environment. The successful candidate must be knowledgeable of current relevant library and scholarly information trends and practices and be able to apply this understanding to make a significant, positive impact on the USC community. Duties may include weekend and evening hours.

USC Libraries

USC Libraries faculty and staff work to advance consequential engagement with our academic and arts communities. We are committed to USC’s unifying values of accountability, integrity, excellence, open communication, well-being, and diversity, equity and inclusion as we support the university’s students, faculty and staff. USC Libraries take pride in our Digital Library, the Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study with its Ahmanson Lab, our data and visualization services, and the library’s strong primary source collections including the history of Los Angeles and Southern California; LGBTQ history and culture, particularly relating to West Coast activities and activism; Cinematic Arts; and the Holocaust and genocide and exile studies. For more information on how our libraries support critical, creative, and ethical habits of mind at USC, visit https://libraries.usc.edu/facts-and-figures  and https://libraries.usc.edu. 

Visit USC’s website for information about our students, academic programs, campuses and research. 

Position Responsibilities and Duties
 
Reporting to Head of the Social and Behavioral Sciences library services team, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Librarian will: 

•    Provide instruction, research consultations and outreach services to graduate programs in education
•    Develop online tutorials, modules, and other asynchronous materials
•    Provide reference and information services within the unit
•    Work collaboratively with librarians, faculty, and students on emerging social science research methodologies, such as systematic reviews and evidence-based research syntheses
•    Participate in the USC Libraries reference, user engagement, and instruction programs 
•    Engage in activities that improve services and resources aligned with the USC Libraries’ commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism
•    Participate in library and other committees 
•    Engage in professional and/or subject discipline organizations, research, or publishing that will have a significant, positive impact on the Social and Behavioral Sciences library service team and advance the strategic plans of USC Libraries and the university.
•    Participate in a hybrid work environment
•    Provide evening and weekend service as assigned

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: MLS from an ALA-accredited program or non-U.S. equivalent is typically required for a librarian appointment at USC. In addition, candidates must provide evidence of: 
•    Experience working in an academic or research library setting 
•    Evidence of a strong commitment to public services and user-centered reference and instruction within an academic or research library setting
•    Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team within a culturally diverse user community of faculty, students
•    Knowledge of current professional trends in librarianship

Desirable qualifications: 
•    Graduate degree or graduate coursework in education
•    Experience using information literacy standards and frameworks to improve learning outcomes
•    Experience applying instructional technology to improve learning outcomes
•    Experience supporting doctoral and Ph.D. students
•    Demonstrated ability in developing and implementing curriculum-based instructional services in an online environment
•    Knowledge of evidence-based practice resources 
•    Knowledge of systematic reviews methodologies

Faculty Appointment Rank and Salary

Rank: Assistant University Librarian (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Librarians at USC have faculty status. This is a full-time, continuing appointment track position. Appointment to the continuing appointment track requires the potential to meet the University’s criteria for granting continuing appointment—excellence in librarianship—which librarians achieve by having a significant impact on the development and/or implementation of high-quality collections and/or services. Additionally, librarians must demonstrate the expectation of continued excellence and growth in profession expertise. 

This is a 12-month full-time position. The annual base salary ranges are listed below and in accordance to rank.

The annual base salary range for this position is $72,000-$90,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

 
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Benefits

Benefits include a choice of retirement programs, 22 paid vacation days per year, university holidays, a choice of medical and dental plans, and tuition assistance (for employees and eligible dependents).  

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload the following documents into a single PDF file: 
1) a cover letter, 
2) a curriculum vitae (including telephone and e-mail address), 
3) a list of at least three references that includes the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address for each referee, and 
4) a statement on fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion (no longer than one page in length). 

Closing date for applications: April 28, 2023, or until filled.

For more information about this position, contact Marje Schuetze-Coburn, Chair of the Standing Search Committee, at [email protected].

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.
 

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About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

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