Job Summary
Guided by Like No Other, Athabasca University’s (AU) strategic plan, AU’s approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Our academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background.
Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, Alberta, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. We are a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 35,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world.
AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission.
Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to grow our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. With an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute, learn and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development.
Athabasca University's Library and Scholarly Resources is recruiting for a permanent full time Associate University Librarian, Learning and Research Services.
The Position:
Reporting to the University Librarian, the Associate University Librarian Learning & Research Services (AUL, L&RS) leads the library's learning & research services (L&RS) team, comprised of digital literacy, reference services, open educational resources, and public services (the library information desk, interlibrary loans and library mailroom). The incumbent establishes plans and priorities for the team, ensuring that university and library goals are met, and that provided services are assessed for effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with broader university goals. The AUL, L&RS works closely with other senior library staff in departmental planning and is responsible for expanding awareness of Library support for learning, teaching, and research at AU. The incumbent will also serve as delegate for the University Librarian when required.
Qualifications:
- ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science or international equivalent is required. Educational background in education, instructional design or a related field is a definite asset.
- Minimum of three years supervisory experience is required, including the provision of training and the assessment of employee performance, preferably in an academic library.
- Minimum three years' experience in increasingly responsible positions related to public service, reference, and instruction is required, preferably in an academic library.
- Experience leading, coaching, and mentoring staff for success, and ability to cultivate an environment of collegiality, respect, trust, and teamwork is required.
- Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and collaborative decision making is required.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills are required.
- Established user-centred approach to service, and ability to develop partnerships with colleagues, users, and internal and external partners is required.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver effective information literacy instruction to library users is required.
- Demonstrated understanding of online pedagogy is required.
- Attention to accuracy and detail, and the ability to meet deadlines is required.
- Demonstrated facility with online communication and presentation tools is required.
- Established understanding of library supports for research is required.
- Experience leading in a changing environment is required.
- Commitment to continual professional growth and lifelong learning is required.
- Effective time management skills are required.
- Experience supervising staff across bargaining units is a definite asset.
- A demonstrated understanding of graduate research requirements and processes and of the provision of library services in the context of a distance education environment is desired.
- Strong awareness of openness in education is highly desired.
A detailed job description can be viewed at: Associate University Librarian, Learning and Research Services.
Contact Information:
For more information regarding this role, please contact Elaine Fabbro, University Librarian, Library & Scholarly Resources at elainef@athabascau.ca.
Athabasca First
Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to the Town of Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.
To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.
What AU Offers:
Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:
- Defined Benefits Pension Plan
- Alberta Health Care
- Extended Health Care
- Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Vacation
- Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
- Discretionary Benefit Fund
- AU Course Allowance
- A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Educational credentials will be verified before an offer of employment is extended. An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials.
All educational credentials must be recognized in Canada.
E-Transcripts shared directly from your Post-Secondary Institution via email are acceptable.
WES https://www.wes.org/ca/ may be used to verify international educational credentials. Processing time for verification of international qualifications may take up to one month; please plan accordingly.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.
Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference.
Working outside of Canada is not supported by Athabasca University. You are legally not permitted to work for Athabasca University if you are living outside of Canada.