Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian

Are you a motivated self-starter who delights in experimenting with new approaches to solve problems? Also, would you enjoy 310 days of sunshine a year, combined with a mild, dry climate and four distinct seasons, in a vibrant multicultural setting? If you answer yes to both questions, we at The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences (CULLS) have a great opportunity in the newly created Open Educational Resources (OER) faculty librarian position.

OER is a top priority for the College, and we will provide support for the OER librarian to actively engage stakeholders in the awareness, use, adoption, and creation of open educational resources. The librarian will be empowered to develop an OER program in an environment with a diverse student population that could benefit from greater access to affordable educational materials. Through sustained collaboration, education, and advocacy, the successful candidate will lead UNM’s efforts and will connect with colleagues in the state working on OER initiatives. The OER librarian will also be responsible for actively seeking funding opportunities in support of OER-related initiatives.

The successful candidate will be the first OER Librarian for the College and will leverage a flexible, dynamic working environment to develop an innovative program that aligns with University and College goals for OER. The OER librarian is part of the Digital Initiatives and Scholarly Communication (DISC) department whose mission is to develop, cultivate, and support transnational, national, and regional digital cultural heritage, scholarly, and educational resources. This mission relates to the College’s broader focus on two distinctive collection areas: Native American and Latin American. These distinctive collections and the campus researchers engaging with these materials create a unique environment for OER adoption and development at UNM. The OER Librarian reports to the Director of DISC in this full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. The desired start date is June 1, 2022. The annual salary is negotiable based on qualifications and includes full benefits. Prioritizing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, the College strongly encourages interested candidates from members of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups to inquire and/or apply.

Responsibilities:

The OER librarian will be an advocate for open educational resources on campus and throughout the state. The primary duties of the position are the following:

• Initiate an OER program for CULLS and UNM.
• Provide leadership, vision, support, and assessment of OER services for UNM.
• Work collaboratively to guide faculty in the discovery, creation, dissemination, identification,    adoption, and assessment of open and affordable course content.
• Provide advocacy and outreach for OER and open access across UNM and the state of New Mexico.
• Contribute to CULLS initiatives that further UNM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Actively engage in anti-racist work to advance inclusive excellence and redress systemic inequities.
• Participate in CULLS faculty governance and in library management as required.
• Meet librarianship and teaching, scholarship, and service requirements for promotion and tenure as detailed in the UNM Faculty Handbook. |

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library/information sciences program or equivalent OR a terminal degree in a related field by the start date.
• Two years' experience with open educational resource adoption in an academic library or higher education environment.

Preferred (Desired) Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with and/or knowledge of open educational resources and open access resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in open education and open access including assessment and accessibility of digital resources.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with open education pedagogy and instructional design.
• Demonstrated leadership and initiative in response to new opportunities in a rapidly changing field.
• Experience with relationship and community building as well as a strong service orientation.
• Experience successfully pursuing funding opportunities to support educational/community efforts.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish or an Indigenous language of the Southwestern U.S.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

The University Environment:

Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship with Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history. UNM is a Tier I Research Institution, a Hispanic-serving institution, and the flagship university in a majority-minority state. To support UNM’s diverse campus constituents and colleagues, the College affirms its commitment to honor diversity, ensure fairness and access, and create an environment where all employees are treated respectfully. These commitments include the support of the CULLS IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Committee and the College’s Anti-Racism statement. UNM is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, and the Greater Western Library Alliance and leads the LIBROS Consortium of seventeen academic libraries in New Mexico. The College is comprised of the University Libraries, an academic degree-granting unit (Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences), and the University of New Mexico Press. The UNM Libraries contain over 3.5 million volumes and include three libraries: Centennial Science & Engineering Library, Fine Arts & Design Library, and Zimmerman Library (humanities, social sciences, business, and education). Zimmerman Library houses the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator.

Application Instructions:

Applications must include a CV, cover letter, and a sample email to a faculty member making the case for open educational resources. All applications must be submitted through: https://unm.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/18/home/requisition/18649?c=unm

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