Position Summary

As a Library Services Specialist IV, you’ll support Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) through diverse tasks, manage public services, and oversee student employees. This role offers a chance to contribute to collection management, exhibit curation, and user services in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities:

• Collection Support: Assist with acquisitions, organization, and maintenance of Special Collections.
• User Services: Handle reference inquiries and guide users to librarians as needed.
• Public Services: Coordinate and oversee all public service activities.
• Team Leadership: Hire, train, and schedule student employees; manage budgets.
• Administrative Tasks: Order supplies and manage office tasks.
• Exhibit Assistance: Support exhibit curation and instructional sessions.
• Preservation: Engage in preservation and stack maintenance; manage environmental controls.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a supportive team dedicated to enhancing Special Collections. Enjoy professional growth opportunities and contribute to meaningful library services that support our academic community.

Position Information

• Full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits-eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Non-exempt under FLSA; eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard work hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (may vary based on needs).
• On-campus work location at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) houses rare, fine, unique, and valuable books, periodicals, manuscripts, and documents which require security and care in handling. Other valuable historical items such as photographs, prints, postcards, memorabilia, scrapbooks, oral histories, and audio-visual materials are also held in Special Collections. University Archives retains materials that document the history of San Diego State University since its founding as a Normal School in 1897. In addition to the duties and activities listed below, SCUA also greatly assists the University and the broader research community through its function as a preservation agent.

Departmental duties and activities include public service (remote and on-site); research assistance; archival accessioning and processing; duplication services; exhibits; outreach; instruction; preservation and environmental monitoring; collection management and stacks maintenance; digital initiatives; employment of student employees; maintaining a web presence; creating and maintaining archival finding aids; and liaising with Technical Services to ensure timely cataloging of materials.

The unit consists of three tenured librarians, one tenure-track librarian and two permanent library services specialists. The department also regularly employs 2-4 hourly student employees, 1-3 hourly Research Foundation employees and occasional volunteers to support daily and project-based unit functions.

The SDSU Library has adopted a Diversity Plan to guide our efforts to realize an institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To meet the goals of this plan, we seek applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and historically underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

For more information regarding the University Library Department, click here.

Education and Experience

These qualifications for entry to Position Skill Level I normally would be obtained through the completion of a high school education or equivalent certification plus two to three years of related library and/or clerical experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Key Qualifications

• Public service experience.
• Working knowledge of copyright law and fair use.
• Experience with archival management systems.
• Knowledge and ability to apply preservation standards and guidelines to rare books, manuscript collections and exhibits.
• Comprehensive knowledge of search techniques, bibliographic record formats, and location and holdings information in an online library management system.
• Comprehensive knowledge of special collections practices and code of ethics, especially in regard to user and donor confidentiality, as well as security.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,400 per month. 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,408 - $8,132 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on September 23, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by September 22, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.