Hiring Department
Digital Collaboration Studio (DCS), University Libraries
Job Description
The Digital Collaboration Specialist is responsible for daily operations in the Digital Collaboration Studio (DCS) in Miller Nichols Library (MNL) during specified hours. The DCS is a technology-rich space designed to support research and teaching across all disciplines with an emphasis on Digital and Public Humanities. This position oversees the DCS service point, space, and staff, which includes undergraduate and graduate student assistants. The position will provide support for DCS patrons,…
including answering questions on space usage and technology, providing basic user training, and independently applying policies and procedures. The position requires general knowledge of current trends in digital scholarship in academic libraries, the ability to effectively supervise the work of others, and the ability to work independently. The Digital Scholarship Specialist reports to the Head of Digital Scholarship Services.
Position duties:
- Manages the daily operations of the department’s primary service point in the Digital Collaboration Studio (DCS) in coordination with the Libraries’ Service Point Heads and the Head of Digital Scholarship Services.
- Directly hires, supervises, and mentors undergraduate student workers, including training, enrichment, building teamwork, managing work schedule for the DCS service point and recognition for achievement.
- Oversees graduate research assistants.
- Oversees room reservations in the DCS using LibCal.
- Oversees loanable technology checkout within the DCS, maintains technology inventory, and makes recommendations for additional hardware and software purchases based on observations and user feedback.
- Provides initial training for new users of DCS technology, including but not limited to: the Podcast Studio, the Retro Media Lab, and the Bookeye scanner, using provided documentation and makes referrals as needed.
- Maintains effective relationships with other departments and staff within the Division, Library, and University relevant to DSS operations.
- Contributes to DCS data collection for assessment and evaluation and works with the Head of Digital Scholarship Services to assess digital scholarship technology instruction and space needs.
- Documents activities, accomplishments, and problems to the supervisor for annual reporting in a timely manner.
- Maintains department website and LibGuide content under the guidance of the Head of Digital Scholarship Services and in collaboration with the Web Services team.
- Assists with administrative planning and execution of events, workshops, and other activities in the DCS and elsewhere on campus.
- Assists Head of Digital Scholarship Services with administrative duties related to the DCS.
- Professional development and service:
- Participates in appropriate committees and professional development as defined by and with the approval of their Supervisor.
- Maintains sufficient expertise in skills and proficiencies required by the position.
Supervisory authority:
- Supervises, hires, evaluates, trains, and appraises student workers as necessary to ensure smooth operations that follow established policies
Shift
40-hours, Monday-Friday, during standard business hours (i.e. between 0800-1800), in the Digital Collaboration Studio, Room 310 on the 3rd floor of Miller Nichols Library.
Anything outside of this regular schedule is considered a Flexible Work Arrangement. The UMKC University Libraries support flexible work arrangements in keeping with the Flexible Work Arrangement Guidelines. Flexible work arrangements should support the mission, goals and functional role of the employee, department and university. Due to job responsibilities of staffing an in-person service desk and supervising onsite student assistants, routine remote work is rare for this position.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
- Relevant experience in media production or digital scholarship methods, tools, and skills (e.g. any one of: audio/video recording and editing, podcasts, digital publishing or exhibits, web and digital content design, etc.).
- The ability and willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies.
- Basic understanding of and willingness to learn about current research, technologies and scholarly trends in digital scholarship, open access, and scholarly communications.
- Supervisory experience or successful experience leading a collaborative team.
