Teaching and Learning Specialist

About the Department:

The University Libraries fosters innovation, creativity, and imagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarship and information, providing expert consultation in the research process, and actively teaching the effective and critical use of information. The Learning, Research, and Engagement Division (LRE) of the University Libraries has primary responsibility for the spectrum of services and programs related to the outward-focused, direct engagement with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty pertaining to teaching, learning, and research, including the assessment of such services and programs. Through the Teaching and Learning team and the three disciplinary teams (Arts and Humanities, STEM, and Social Sciences), the LRE division works continuously with individual faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on their individual learning and research needs through collaboration with academic departments and colleges. Additionally, the LRE division advances the University Libraries’ goals and plans.

About the Position:

The Teaching and Learning Specialist provides all levels of high quality face-to-face and online information literacy instruction on the Teaching and Learning team. The position works with the Teaching and Learning team librarians to teach, promote, and assess the educational mission of the team. This role provides reference and research support while maintaining a high level of patron satisfaction. The Teaching and Learning Specialist is instrumental and critical to achieving the Teaching and Learning team, Libraries’, and the university’s mission of teaching, learning, and engagement. The position participates in committees and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and implement and advance the work of the Libraries. This position may work a combination of days, nights, and weekends, depending upon the time of the semester.

Responsibilities:

Instruction:

• Conducts individual, group, and class library instruction sessions and workshops;
• Creates and maintains technology-based tools to support the Libraries' reference, instruction, and outreach services; and
• Coordinates and facilitates professional development sessions for library instructors at George Mason University and regionally.

Assessment:

• Manages statistics and assessment data for instruction;
• Creates statistical and written reports on the Libraries’ learning activities; and
• Collaborates with the Teaching and Learning team librarians and staff, as well as other Learning, Research, and Engagement librarians, to assess instruction programs in the University Libraries.

Coordination:

• Collaborates with the Teaching and Learning team librarians and staff to facilitate the library instruction request process;
• Participates in and contributes to the university, Libraries, and departmental meetings;
• Facilitates University Libraries' and departmental-wide project tasks, and handles other departmental or library duties assigned, scheduled, or requested;
• Serves on library, campus, IT, or university committees and working groups as assigned, to plan, develop, and implement improvement(s) and research, and select resources;
• Participates in formulating policies, procedures, and priorities for improving work processes on the Teaching and Learning team; and
• Trains new staff in instruction policies and procedures.

Research and Reference:

• Provides high-level reference, research, and information services and point-of-need user instruction to the George Mason community in person or via chat, text, phone, and email.

Outreach:

• Schedules, plans, and/or conducts orientations, tours, presentations, and campus events to describe and promote library services and programs;
• Develops and maintains knowledge and use of current multimedia resource development software and other available instructional technologies applicable to library reference and research services;
• Serves in a lead capacity in implementing new instructional technologies; and
• Serves as a library liaison to other campus unit(s).

Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Teaching and/or training experience working with both individuals and groups;
• Customer service experience;
• Knowledge of library public services, instruction, and user engagement;
• Demonstrated strong communication skills to convey complex ideas with clarity;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, foster trust, and collaborate across diverse teams;
• Ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines; and
• Familiarity with library systems and resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Teaching experience in academic libraries or another related higher education environment;
• Academic library experience;
• Library public service experience, particularly in instruction, user experience, and/or marketing and outreach;
• Experience leading team/group projects;
• Experience assessing user learning or user needs;
• Experience with desktop publishing, including publication design and editing;
• Proficiency with current course management software, web authoring tools, multimedia creation tools, library instructional tools, citation management tools, and/or social media; and
• Ability to use, train, and/or explain current research tools and methods.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Teaching and Learning Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Additional requirement: Please note that candidates selected for the final interview will be expected to come to the Fairfax campus and present, based on an assigned prompt, to a hybrid audience (in-person and online) consisting of Library faculty, staff, and students.