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Penn State Job Catalog

Library Services Specialist – Supervisor (PSU2524)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Library Services Specialist demonstrates in-depth knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of information resources and services such as, acquisitions, circulation, collection maintenance, cataloging and metadata creation, digitalization, preservation, information assistance and consultation, reference and/or instruction.

  • Maintain and apply comprehensive knowledge of information resources within specialized subject areas; conduct subject area research; develop and deliver workshops
  • Provide subject-based reference, information, cataloging, and referral services to users combining a wide range of library and information sources
  • Develop, evaluate, and curate collections; establish goals; identify and implement recommendations to enhance and promote the collection
  • Stabilize, reformat, and safeguard collections requiring an advanced knowledge of preservation programs
  • Conceive, design, and implement outreach materials, programs or instructional sessions for unique and specialized collections or programs
  • Coordinates reformatting and editing operations to convert print materials to alternative formats for accessibility purposes
  • Analyze vendors for availability, pricing, and acquisition logistics; communicate with prospective donors to acquire materials for collections, appraise potential acquisitions, secure ownership of new materials
  • Create original bibliographic cataloging records and perform complex cataloging; ensure cataloging procedures adhere to national standards; manage data maintenance projects to improve data integrity; coordinate cataloging workflows across departments
  • Create descriptive metadata, ensure alignment with metadata standards, implement changes to optimize discoverability
  • Negotiate arrangements for material use, apply library guidelines and appropriate copyright laws to loan processing
  • Provide supervision and expertise over a library function or department including cataloging, access services, digital collections, special collections, library technology, or Interlibrary Loan
  • Collaborate with other service teams to develop policies and procedures, improve workflows, and synchronize practices; coordinate activities and communication between library units and committees; serve as primary contact in specialized areas
  • Maintain knowledge bases available to library administration across locations; develop and deliver training
  • Identify and facilitate opportunities to integrate collection materials into course curriculums; collaborate with faculty

Level Matrix

Level:
– Supervisor
Base Description:
– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates appropriate knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. Demonstrates baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Reviews completed work of others to verify accuracy and quality. Follows recommended approaches to assigned work. Supervises assigned staff and coordinates routine work activities. Monitors employee interactions and facilitates a productive working environment. Communicates instructions and policies in a consistent, effective and timely manner. Identifies and addresses concerns appropriately. Makes recommendations for possible solutions.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Support track, performs work at Senior Support level or higher; for Professional track, performs work at the Advanced Professional level or higher)
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows standard operating procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems
– Applies proven and tries new approaches when solving problems
Independence of Action:
– Works with minimal supervision on difficult work assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– Organizes work of direct reports and may set priorities within general guidelines established by manager
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and conformance to required procedures and special instructions
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 6
  • Minimum – $42,100.00
  • MidPoint – $51,600.00
  • Maximum – $61,000.00
Critical Skills
  • Attention To Detail
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Collection
  • Data visualization
  • Document management
  • Metadata management
  • Program management
  • Vendor management
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
3+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience accepted