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 and 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.
For more information about the position, or to apply: https://ebyf.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/32
PSU will only accept applications submitted through this process.
Pittsburg State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.