Technology Development Librarian

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA LIBRARIES

Technology Development Librarian

The University of Alabama Libraries seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced librarian to work in a collaborative technology and research-focused environment. Reporting to the Director of Library Technology, this position is responsible for providing project leadership and technical direction within the unit. This position assists in planning and managing application development processes and will supervise and train staff and student programmers, helping guide developers to the successful completion of complex technology projects. The position will also be responsible for working with University Libraries faculty on curriculum and pedagogical enhancements that support the Library Instruction and Data Services Programs, will work to train librarians on new technologies, and will participate actively in faculty affairs.

This position will take a user experience approach in analyzing complex business needs and will provide recommendations for commercial and/or open-source options, and, when necessary, design solutions to meet those needs. The successful candidate will keep abreast of new technologies, particularly those that can bolster instruction. The position is also expected to create and maintain complex applications and customizations, as well as internal documentation according to University Libraries standards. The successful candidate will maintain knowledge of current best practices in all areas of responsibility with special attention given to security and accessibility. They will identify promising new technologies, tools, and APIs that can positively impact services and curriculum or generate a better user experience while implementing, troubleshooting, and maintaining both proprietary and open-source software with varying levels of external support.

This position is also responsible for technical management and development of existing projects using EBSCO Discovery Service, SpringShare Suite, ILLiad, CONTENTdm, DSpace, ArchivesSpace, Omeka, and WordPress. Many of these tools require various forms of systems integration for full operation. The University Libraries is also a development partner in the FOLIO Library Services Platform, and this position may be engaged in development work for this international project. The candidate must also possess the ability to deal with change, ambiguity, and complex problems in an academic setting.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Library & Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution or advanced graduate degree in a related field.
• Fluency developing in HTML 5, CSS 3, and JavaScript (TypeScript, node.js, npm, and familiarity with at least one of the major JavaScript frameworks, such as, Angular, React, or Vue)
• Experience supporting and developing for content management systems, such as, Word Press and Omeka.
• Experience developing software functionality leveraging RESTful APIs and JSON arrays.
• Experience developing with technologies such as Linux (SuSE Enterprise, CentOS, or RedHat), Apache/Tomcat, Solr, MySQL/PostgreSQL, and PHP.
• Expert knowledge in one or more server-side programming languages, specifically, PHP, Java, Ruby, and Python.
• Experience incorporating WCAG standards into websites; familiarity with ADA/Section 508 accessibility standards.
• Experience providing management, vision, and direction to a development team.
• Ability to creatively perform analysis and problem solving as necessary to complete specific assignments.
• Having an inclusive leadership style including welcoming diverse perspectives and acknowledging the significance of differences and complexities in background, cultures, values, and viewpoints.
• Aptitude for learning new technologies and working in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Job duties continue to change with the evolving research library environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, collaboratively, and creatively in a software team environment with diverse constituencies, using an agile development process, and to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with enterprise-level systems maintenance and software development, demonstrating significant responsibilities and achievements.
• Experience leading various phases of technology infrastructure projects (concept, investigation, deployment, operations, migration, decommission); in particular projects which require coordination with developers and service stakeholders.
• 4+ years of progressive programming and development experience in two or more programming languages, such as Java, C, Python, or Ruby.
• Experience in full-stack development, both backend and frontend.
• Experience configuring and supporting common open-source library applications such as Omeka, ArchivesSpace, DSpace, etc.
• Experience with IT standard workflows, using task runners and repositories.
• Experience with Containers and VMs.
• Familiarity with Node.js, React.js, Bootstrap, Angular.js.
• Familiar with UX methodologies and processes.

ENVIRONMENT:

The University of Alabama, The Capstone University, is the State of Alabama’s flagship public university, and the senior comprehensive doctoral level institution in Alabama. UA enrolls over 38,320 students, with record breaking freshman classes for each of the past three years. UA has also increased graduate student enrollment by seven percent for Fall 2021. Ranked among the top 70 public universities in the nation by U.S. World and News Report’s annual college rankings for more than a decade, UA ranked 67th among public universities in 2020 rankings. UA made the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for New Graduates in 2021. University of Alabama students continue to win prestigious national awards. Fifty-nine UA students have been named Goldwater Scholars. The University of Alabama has produced a total of 15 Rhodes Scholars, 16 Truman Scholars, 32 Hollins Scholars, and 11 Boren Scholars. The University of Alabama is a leader among public universities nationwide for enrollment of National Merit Scholars with more than 900 currently enrolled, the highest number in UA’s history. Under the leadership of President Stuart Bell, UA has launched a strategic planning process that includes an aggressive research agenda and expansion of graduate education. There are currently 36 faculty who have received NSF Career awards, the nation’s most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists. UA was also recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for the fifth time in six years in 2021-2022. UA is located in Tuscaloosa, a metropolitan area of over 250,000, with a vibrant economy, a moderate climate, and reputation across the South as an innovative, progressive community with an excellent quality of life. Tuscaloosa provides easy access to mountains, several larger cities, and the beautiful Gulf Coast.

The University Libraries maintains memberships in the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Coalition of Networked Information, centerNET, LYRASIS, HathiTrust, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, LOCKSS, the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, and the Alabama Digital Preservation Network. As a U.S. Government Documents Regional Depository since 1860, the UA Libraries serves Alabama libraries and the public. The University Libraries homepage may be accessed at http://www.libraries.ua.edu

Prior to employment the successful candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

12 month clinical faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor rank. Salary range is $70,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and advanced degrees. Strong benefits, including professional development support, tuition fee waiver, and matching retirement contributions.

TO APPLY:

Applications are accepted online only at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu Click Search Positions, University Libraries in the drop down box. Please include your application, Curriculum Vitae, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three references, including one current supervisor.

Position open until filled. Applications received by March 10, 2023 are assured of receiving full consideration.

The University of Alabama is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. Applicants from a broad spectrum of people, including women, members of ethnic minorities, and disabled persons, are especially encouraged to apply. For questions regarding the search, contact Michael Arthur, Senior Associate Dean at maarthur@ua.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

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