ARL Recruits for Diversity Program Officer

Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) invites applications and nominations for the position Program Officer for Diversity.

Purpose

North American research institutions are being transformed by an increase in the diversity of scholarly and learning communities with profound implications for how these institutions support international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning and research. To engage effectively in this environment of change and innovation, research libraries need a diverse workforce of professionals who thrive in and are actively engaged with these new scholarly communities.

Reflecting this need, ARL conceptualizes diversity issues broadly and encourages attention to them within all three of the Association’s strategic directions: scholarly communication; public policies; and new library roles in research, teaching, and learning. Within this broad framework, ARL has also adopted an action agenda that is focused on the development of a diverse research library workforce. Specifically, the Program Officer for Diversity provides leadership for initiatives that increase the “pipeline” as well as the preparation and advancement of librarians from under represented racial and ethnic groups into leadership positions in ARL libraries.

Major Responsibilities

1. Promote, manage, enhance, and ensure funding streams for existing ARL initiatives that increase the number of individuals from under represented racial and ethnic groups pursuing careers in research libraries. These include:
• Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (stipends for graduate work)
• Career Enhancement Program (fellowships for research library experience)
• Leadership and Career Development Program (midcareer enhancement)
• Annual Leadership Institute (held in conjunction with ALA Midwinter Meeting)
• National Diversity in Libraries Conference (next event, 2010 at Princeton University)
• ARL Career Resources Web site (http://www.arl.org/resources/careers/)
2. Serve as expert advisor and contributor to other ARL leadership and organizational development activities, looking for synergy between these and diversity initiatives, and as needed, provide oversight of administrative support for these projects. For example:
• Research Library Leadership Fellows (RLLF) program (to develop executive leadership).
• ClimateQUAL™ and, in particular, Organizational Climate Improvement Service (OCIS), a consulting service based on follow up activities from the ClimateQUAL™ survey protocol (a tool for collecting library staff perceptions about how well the library is achieving a climate for diversity and organizational health).
3. Support the work of the ARL Diversity Initiatives Working Group, a group of directors of research libraries charged by the Association to:
• Advise on strategies to increase the number of librarians from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the research library workforce;
• Serve as a review panel for applications for the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce and the Leadership and Career Development Program; and
• Monitor the environment of research institutions to identify diversity issues or initiatives beyond the scope of “pipeline” issues that may warrant discussion with any ARL Strategic Direction steering committees or with all ARL members at Membership Meetings.

Nature and Scope of the Position

A. Organizational Relationships

Operates as part of the ARL Executive Office in the capacity of Program Officer for Diversity. This position reports to the ARL Executive Director. Works with directors of ARL member libraries and library staff to assess needs, promote, and deliver services. Provides direct support for the ARL Diversity Initiatives Working Group. Collaborate with other program officers on opportunities to infuse diversity issues into ARL strategic directions and contribute expert advice to other leadership and organizational development activities. Expected to reach out and network with ethnic caucuses in professional associations and the leadership of LIS graduate programs and minority serving institutions. Works with organizational representatives of foundations, government agencies, and educational institutions and associations.

B. Supervisory Responsibilities

Coordinates consultants and supervises 1.5 FTE staff (includes a grant-supported position) and others assigned to diversity programs and projects. Works with support staff to maintain files; to prepare routine correspondence, reports, mailings, and promotions; and to support institutes and other training events.

C. Skill Requirements

Project management, budget administration skills, entrepreneurial fund-raising and cost-recovery skills are core components of this position. Establishment of successful relationships with a wide variety of academic and research library administrators, professional staff, and support staff is a requirement of this position. The ability to evaluate needs and the judgment to determine appropriate responses is essential. An understanding of research libraries within the context of the higher education community is also required. This is a professional position with both management and administrative components; it requires energy and flexibility to balance and adjust competing priorities. Well-developed written and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, are necessary.

D. Problem Solving and Decision Making

Most problems and decisions faced by this position relate to the conduct of ARL diversity initiatives, matching needs with resources and services (either available or to be designed). Considerable flexibility is available for design and operation of new products and services. New programs and design efforts are developed in consultation with other program staff and Executive Director.

E. Authority/Independence

Position operates at a professional level with major program responsibilities. In dealing with member libraries, participants in events, and professional colleagues, this position is autonomous. This position is expected to secure, by grants or cost recovery, revenue sufficient to support diversity initiatives; this includes a minimum of $50,000 annually. Requires extensive travel and time away from home and office. In contact with other organizations, position may represent and speak on behalf of ARL. Executive Director conducts annual performance review.

Requirements

1. A master’s degree and a minimum of three years experience in a higher education or related nonprofit setting advancing recruitment, diversity education, leadership development, and/or fund raising;

2. Experience in program or project management or training;

3. Ability to communicate and work effectively with senior leadership;

4. Enthusiasm and commitment to increasing the diversity of the research library workforce;

5. Proven public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

1. MLS degree and/or experience in higher education and academic or research libraries in particular;

2. Prior facilitation or consulting experience.

Institution

ARL comprises the 123 largest academic and research libraries in the US and Canada. It operates as a forum for the exchange of ideas and as an agent for collective action.

Compensation

Salary is in the range of other professional staff at ARL and commensurate with experience. ARL offers standard benefits including sick leave, 22 days vacation, TIAA/CREF.

Applications

Screening of applications will begin immediately. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Send letter outlining interest and experience in the areas of diversity and broader facilitation and consulting, a resume, and a list of three references to:

Mary Jane Brooks
Executive Officer
Association of Research Libraries
21 Dupont Circle, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-1118

E-mail address: maryjane@arl.org

Nominations are actively sought and will be given serious consideration.

ARL is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity in the Workplace.

---

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.