Mentor Consultant

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) seeks a consultant to facilitate the mentor-matching process for the Kaleidoscope Program in 2024. This short-term, part-time consulting appointment (up to 60 hours, US$225/hour) will be responsible for matching 15–20 Kaleidoscope Program Scholars with professionals in the research library and archives community to serve as mentors for two years. The ARL Kaleidoscope Program is a two-year commitment that aims to prepare IBPOC graduate students for purposeful and consequential careers in research libraries and archives through enriched leadership development and community building opportunities.

The timeline for the project is from the time of hire until October 31, 2024. 

JOB SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

The incumbent will work closely with ARL's director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and senior program manager to:

• Develop a process to facilitate the mentor-matching process and communications for scholars and mentors
• Conduct surveys and interviews, as needed, with scholars to learn of their needs in a mentor
• Use their professional networks and other methods, as advised by the senior program manager, to find prospective mentors
• Interview prospective mentors to determine a successful match
• Connect the scholars with their respective mentors

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of experience in the library/archives field
• Demonstrated expertise in facilitating mentoring relationships
• Demonstrated knowledge of the library and archives field
• Participation in professional organizations
• Deep understanding of the unique challenges associated with mentoring IBPOC individuals
• Ability to meet deadlines and track project work in a timely manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

SELECTION PROCEDURES 

The review team will use a criteria-based process, meaning that applications are assessed as a whole (not individual items) based on several criteria. Strong applications will include multiple sources of evidence detailing applicants’ experiences and ideas related to the criteria as well as demonstrated results and impact as relevant.

CRITERIA

Application materials will be reviewed using the following four criteria, which are listed in descending order of importance:

Professional network within research archives & libraries in Canada and the United States

• Knowledge of and connection to multiple professional networks
• Familiarity and experience with navigating professional networks
• IBPOC networks

Integrated application of diversity, equity, and inclusion in work

• Recognition of identity-specific considerations and needs for IBPOC mentees
• Strategies for building rapport and mitigating harm when exploring mentee goals and interests, particularly related to social identities
• Experience effectively engaging with individuals with varying working and communication styles

Organized and strategic project management skills

• Ability to perform within project parameters with autonomy, initiative, and integrity
• Awareness of personal strengths and talents as well as areas for growth and improvement
• Demonstration of effective communication and documentation practices

Experience with mentoring programs—especially from multiple perspectives/roles

• Knowledge of trends and common themes within mentoring relationships
• Ability to identify resources to support mentees and mentors at various stages of mentoring relationships—with a focus on the initial connections
• Experience using data to make informed decisions for the needs of individuals as well as overall programs

TO APPLY

Applicants who would like to request accommodation(s) can email dei@arl.org with “Mentor Consultant Application” as the subject.

To apply for this position, interested persons should:

Complete this application form, which will collect personal information, responses to the reflection prompts, and references. In lieu of a cover letter, applicants are requested to respond via the application form to the following reflection prompts (up to 1,500 characters each including spaces):

• Share why you are interested in serving in this position.
• Identify the strengths and expertise you would bring to this position.
• Describe your prior experience(s) with mentoring programs and what you learned from the experience(s).

Email a résumé/CV (PDF) to Mira Swearer <mira@arl.org> with “Mentor Consultant Application” as the subject.

Please submit materials via the form and email by 11:59 p.m. Hawaiʻi–Aleutian standard time (UTC-10:00) on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. We welcome applications from those who have previously served as a mentor consultant. An individual can serve in the role no more than two times in a five-year period.

Questions should be sent via email to dei@arl.org.

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