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Circulation and User Services Graduate Student Specialist I

The University of Iowa Libraries
 
GRADUATE STUDENT SPECIALIST I POSITION DESCRIPTION

Salary: $12/hour           Estimated hours/week: 12

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 5 – 9 p.m. and weekends 1 – 5 p.m. or 5 – 9 p.m. Schedule may change depending on department needs and Main Library schedule changes.

Department: Circulation and Undergraduate Engagement

Reports to: Library Assistant

Requirement: Enrollment as a graduate student in the The University of Iowa Master of Arts in Library Science (second semester onwards)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This is a high-visibility position that will provide prompt, courteous and accurate service to a wide range of library users. The Graduate Student Specialist I performs a broad range of tasks, including working at the Main Library Service Desk, and helps advance the Libraries strategic research and education initiatives by promoting relevant tools, resources, and services. Candidates should have strong attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks, and the flexibility to meet the needs of both users and the department.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
·       Interact with all users (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, faculty, staff, community members) courteously and perform work accurately;
·       Help users on-site, online, or via telephone by:
o  Providing reference and research service and answering requests for assistance from users, including citation format questions;
o  Answering questions about services, equipment, facilities, and UI and community resources;
o  Referring users needing more specialized assistance to subject specialist librarians;
o  Providing directions and general assistance.
·       Use the Libraries Library Management System (Alma and Primo/InfoHawk+), Skype for Business, Outlook and SpringShare applications daily;
·       Respond to reports of facility, security, and other emergencies;
·       Attend required meetings and training sessions;
·       Participate in statistics collection as scheduled;
·       Other duties as assigned.
 
COMPETENCIES
·       Willingness to learn: know and stay updated on UI Libraries policies, services, and campus and community resources;
·       Good communication skills: listen and interpret users’ needs and communicate professionally in a way that users understand, adapting as necessary;
·       Problem solving: meet users’ needs in situations of time and/or resource constraint;
·       Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the unique contribution of an inclusive workforce that brings together the talents of people across multiple identities, including: race, creed, color, religion, national origins, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status, sexual orientation.

TRAINING
·       On the job technical training in the Library Management System and SpringShare chat interface by full-time staff;
·       On the job training on routine services and resources at the Service Desk by full-time staff;
·       Paid time to get familiar with Libraries, university, and community resources;
·       1-1 meetings with supervisor for instruction and Libraries’ updates.

EVALUATION
The Graduate Student Specialist I is evaluated by their immediate supervisor every 6 months. Evaluation criteria are:
·       Dependability: is on time and communicates in a timely manner with Libraries staff about schedule conflicts;
·       Cooperation: works well with other employees;
·       Quality of work: provides prompt, accurate, and courteous service to all users;
·       Professionalism: communicates professionally and projects professionalism when providing services;
·       Attitude: is respectful, interested, patient, and takes instruction well;
·       Motivation/Initiative: anticipates user needs based on interaction, is motivated to provide assistance.

WHY APPLY?
  • Develop advanced research, teaching, and communication skills relevant for future positions or careers in libraries;
  • Learn about key trends in scholarly communications, digital scholarship, information literacy, and other areas;
  • Network with faculty, graduate students, and librarians across and within disciplinary areas of interest;
  • Design and contribute to special projects aligned with your personal areas of interest.