Library Associate 2 (Business Reference Support Associate) – University of MN Twin Cities

Job  Working Title: Business Reference Support Associate
Job Classification: 8416A2 Library Associate 2

Salary: $44,928 plus DOQ.

Position Overview:
The Social Sciences Program Support Associate provides research support for business reference and instruction, including responding to reference questions, helping craft instructional materials, and creating online research guides. In addition to this primary role, this position will also support various social science research services, outreach, and projects as needed. This will include help with complex research questions, designing instructional materials, supporting data and systematic reviews services, developing outreach materials for students, and more. The position will report to the Director of Social Sciences, and specific direction will be provided in consultation with departmental staff.

Responsibilities:
Business Research and Instructional Support: 60%

• Act as initial referral/consultation contact for service desk staff when immediate patron assistance is needed for in-person business related questions.
• Actively monitor the business LibAnswers queue and the Business email account and provide timely, thorough, and accurate responses for assigned questions. Following specified procedures, proactively communicate questions and concerns to business liaisons.
• Attend regular business research support meetings to discuss and evaluate answered questions and review existing practices and procedures.
• Develop and maintain online business research guides as requested.
• Develop instructional modules on business topics.
• Provide in-depth business research assistance, with training and guidance, for student groups in experiential learning courses.
• Collaborate with the Toaster staff to provide office hours and relevant programming.
• Support complex resources (such as Bloomberg) and other resources requiring close management and monitoring.
• Provides collection development support as assigned (using Alma, GOBI, and other software).

Experts@Minnesota Support: 10%

• Serves as user support for Experts@Minnesota, manages questions and comments from users about their Experts profiles and data.
• Utilizes ticketing system to troubleshoot, resolve, and escalate requests in accordance with established workflows.
• Develops and updates procedures and other documentation as needed.

Systematic Reviews Support: 10%

• Supports the Research Services Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis Service by helping to find full text articles and clean and maintain citation libraries.
• Attends the service meetings and assists with assessment and general project management.

Social Sciences Research and Student Success Support: 15%

• Helps with programmatic information literacy instruction, such as WRIT 1301, CLA 1002, and other undergraduate programs.
• Contributes to special departmental/liaison programs, projects, and events as assigned.
• Develops and updates reference/instructional resources including library course pages, FAQs, subject guides, handouts, print publications, web content, quick reference files, database descriptions, and other tools to help users navigate collections.
• Does outreach for the department, including helping to stage exhibits, events, attend outreach opportunities, and produce handouts and other materials.

Committee Work, Special Assignments & General Department Support 5%

• Keeps current with technological advances within University Libraries. Learns new software packages and applies them to support library functions/activities.
• Provides backup support as needed for other activities of the department.
• Special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience equal to six years.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing demands, work independently, re-prioritize, and demonstrate flexibility in anticipating and responding to the various needs of administrative decision-makers.
• Demonstrated time management and project coordination skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including evidence of ability to work with a wide variety of individuals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced facility with office and communication technologies (spreadsheet, presentation and word processing software) including Google applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with business information.
• Experience with reference and/or instruction in a library setting.

The Social Sciences department (SSD) advances the research and learning of the University’s social sciences and professional program disciplines, departments, and colleges. The SSD liaisons and reference specialists provide course-integrated instruction, research consultations that range from simple to sustained and advanced, and connect their constituents to services and experts from around the Libraries. Social Sciences is also home to Mapping Prejudice, the Map Library, and the Government Publications unit. The professionals who work in these units manage complex and specialized collections, provide focused research support, and serve on highly collaborative initiatives in and beyond the Libraries such as Digital Arts, Sciences and Humanities (DASH), the BTAA Geoportal, the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), and more. Social Sciences staff are tied together through our deep grounding in social science disciplinary subjects, content, methods, and related emerging approaches to research, teaching, and community engagement.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.