Technical Services Specialist

BCIT’s Library Services is seeking a regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) Technical Services Specialist. This position contributes to core library functions such as access to print and digital resources, information services, cataloging and metadata creation, open-access services, and document delivery, content procurement and licensing, content creation, and outreach. In consultation with the librarians determines method of procurement, source of supply, pricing, and availability of information resources. Rotates, shares and/or backs-up each team-member in key areas such as acquisitions, interlibrary loan, cataloging/meta-data, print and electronic serials, e-resources management, digital projects and digitization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Procurement and Licensing Content:

• Procures library collections such as print (books and journals), electronic resources, and media selected by librarians.
• Determines methods of procurement source of supply, pricing, and availability of information resources, in consultation with the librarians. Arranges demos/trials.
• Engages in routine vendor communication for Technical Services activities.
• Ensures collections accounts are accurate and up-to-date including: accounts payable/receivable; payment and invoice processing; tracking and record keeping of materials received and processed to serve as audit trail.
• Trouble-shoots and investigates access issues to digital and e-resources.
• Maintains vendor contact information and login information.
• Activates new databases in the knowledge base ensuring that the urls are linked/added to the integrated library system.

Information Resources and Content Creation:

• Supports access to print and digital resources through cataloging and meta-data on a variety of platforms, including the library system, information repository, archives, open access and open education systems
• Performs complex original and adaptive cataloguing of all formats using various electronic and manual sources in accordance with current and cataloguing practice and applications (such as RDA and MARC).
• Creates metadata records by applying specialized knowledge.
• Ensures ongoing maintenance of metadata post-cataloging.
• Resolves catalog record problems in consultation with staff in other departments or units.
• Ensures accurate access by removing records for withdrawn items and revising records for reclassified material.
• Supports media format update requests. Including searching for new format availability, or finding copyright owner and seeking permission to transfer/digitize/copy item. Maintains records according to Canadian Copyright Act.

Interlibrary Loan Service:

• Performs interlibrary loan activities.
• Maintains knowledge of the parameters of regional, provincial and national consortia interlibrary loan agreements.
• Maintains current knowledge of reference tools and resources through in-house training and external continuing education opportunities.

General:

• Provides reference services, online and in-person. Assists students and faculty to find library resources and use library services and technology. Refers research questions to librarians.
• Assists in training new members of technical services.
• Participates on library teams, workgroups and committees.
• Uses a variety of library technology platforms to manage technical services applications such as: electronic-resources, metadata, procurement, licensing digitization and document delivery.
• Creates and maintains documentation for technical services procedures.
• Retrieves data from vendor sites. Provides statistics from various sources and reports-out on metrics as appropriate.
• Orders and maintains technical services supplies.
• Reconciles and submits monthly corporate procurement statement.
• Acts as records custodian for Technical Services. Review records for storage and destruction following records management policies and practices. Participates in records training to remain current.
• Supports library outreach and community engagement activities such as information sessions and special events.

Other:

• Undertakes related duties as assigned, consistent with the job grade of this position.
• Participates in Records Custodian training and remains current with record keeping practices, policies and procedures (both BCIT and FOIPOP).
• Undertakes the duties and responsibilities of Records Custodian in compliance with FOIPOP and Institute policies and procedures, including: maintaining index and retrieval system of office files through the Directory of Records Database (DRDB), or appropriate alternative’ procuring file folder labels through the DRDB, or appropriate, indicating the classification to which files belong; filing incoming documents into the records management system to support the business process; and, as appropriate, assisting other office staff with proper security levels to identify and retrieve active records.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Definition: The qualifications section for this position was developed using the approved job evaluation plan, agreed to between the BCGEU and BCIT. The qualifications represent the minimum qualifications required in the future (i.e. to be reflected in job postings) and do not reflect the incumbent’s existing qualifications.

Education:

• Completion of grade 12, plus completion of a two-year Certified Library and Information Technology Diploma.

Experience:

• Two years general experience, plus up to four years of experience working in a library technical services unit/department.

Software/Computer Application(s) and Expertise:

• Experience using a wide variety of library operations software such as: integrated library system, electronic resource management, interlibrary loan management.
• Intermediate knowledge and demonstrated use of MS Suite.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills:

• Flexible and adaptive.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills: ability to deal courteously, tactfully and discretely with students and faculty; staff from other departments within library; external contacts.
• Able to work as a high-functioning team member to meet numerous and conflicting deadlines.

Administrative Skills (e.g. prioritizing, minute taking, wp speed, etc.):

• Keyboard skills of 50 wpm.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage workload and projects efficiently and effectively.

Other Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to use relevant library technical standards and protocols such as MARC, RDA, EDI.
• Ability to carry out physical requirement of the position, lifting up to 35 lbs.