Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian

Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant.  We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries:

The Stanford Libraries connects the Stanford community with academic information resources and services. The Libraries are home to a world-class collection of more than 9 million items, including books, e-books, journals, films, maps, data sets, special collections, archives, and more. The Libraries also employ more than 400 full-time staff across its director groups. These staff provide research counseling, data management services, discovery tools, training, digitization, and a host of other services to ensure that the collection is both effectively used by current researchers and well preserved for the future. Much more information about the Libraries is available on the website https://library.stanford.edu/ .

The Branner Earth Sciences Library and Map Collections is one of five science and engineering research branch libraries that form the Science and Engineering Resource Group. The collection contains approximately 250,000 volumes, 275,000 maps, and 2,200 serial subscriptions. Branner provides GIS/Maps services to the entire Stanford community. Branner has primary responsibility for providing services to the faculty, students, and staff within the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences. On September 1, 2022 the School of Earth will be subsumed by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability focused on climate and sustainability.  The school is expected to double in faculty and student size over the next ten years.

The Science and Engineering Resource Group is part of the Collections and Services Program and reports to the Assistant University Librarian for Science and Engineering Libraries. SERG’s focus is on fostering responsive, dynamic, and flexible services inside modern libraries geared toward up-to-date support services. Innovative ideas and an ability to adapt to and create change are highly valued skills for the person in this position. In short, the Librarian should be a strategic, energetic, and flexible colleague who is looking towards the future and wants to be an integral part of creating a library designed to meet the needs of a fast-changing School of Earth.

Core Responsibilities:

• Plans, develops, evaluates, and manages research collections in earth, energy, sustainability, and environmental sciences. Manages and expends one unrestricted fund and five endowed funds. Selects current and retrospective materials in all formats. Maintains close contact with faculty and students in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (to become the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability) to ensure that library collections support current and future research and teaching programs.
• Creates and actively manages the Branner Web space, which is on the Drupal and LibGuide platforms, and oversees the social media outreach for the library. Seeks out new applications and software to keep the library up to date on Web technologies and their use in an information setting.
• Provides reference, research assistance, data support, and instruction in the fields of earth, energy, sustainability, and environmental sciences. Maintains contact with faculty, students, and staff in the School and develops outreach programs for these groups.
• Collaborates with other subject specialists to assure collections coverage of interdisciplinary areas that lie outside conventional subject boundaries.
• Encourages and cultivates close relations with donors of funds and materials relating to earth, energy, sustainability, and environmental sciences.
• Contributes to planning, policies, and programs of the Science and Engineering Resource Group. Serves on committees and manages library projects as appropriate.
• Coordinates with campus service providers outside of the Libraries to ensure successful research and teaching practices within the School of Earth.
• Responsible for identifying resources for the Libraries’ internal development of digital resources, for identifying externally produced digital resources and data that should be collected and archived locally, and for working with appropriate staff to develop the infrastructure for delivering these digital resources.

• Provides instruction in one or more software classes such as R, MATLAB, Python, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Experience in research libraries and the research environment, as well as a subject background in earth or allied sciences (environmental, sustainability, physical geography, marine sciences, petroleum engineering, etc.) are required. Strongly desire an advanced subject degree and/or a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science school or the equivalent in training and experience in understanding and providing information to a user population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of the research and trends covered by the faculty, researchers, and students in the relevant subject disciplines covered by the School of Earth.
• Knowledge of relevant aspects of library operations including understanding of contemporary library practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people including faculty, students, and staff.  Ability to perform effectively in and contribute successfully to a diverse, multicultural workplace environment is required.
• Effective problem solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of library discovery environments, office automation software, and online resources. Ability to evaluate online information products and services is strongly desired.
• Strong understanding of computers and data are required.
• Ability to quickly learn and use print and online tools and resources and in area of specialization.
• Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills.

Other Relevant Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities May Include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the commercial and non-commercial sources of materials in earth, energy, sustainability, and environmental sciences and their channels of distribution and acquisition.
• Demonstrated information seeking skills, including database and Internet searching, and familiarity with earth sciences resources in digital formats.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills. Ability to manage time and multiple projects in a complex, changing environment with a positive, flexible, creative, and innovative attitude.
• Demonstrated potential to make professional accomplishments relevant to the responsibilities of this position. These may include scholarly publications, teaching, and library-related publications and presentations.

Physical Requirements*:

• Constantly sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasps lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).
• Rarely use a telephone, operate hand controls.
• Must be able to push and maneuver a fully loaded cart weighing up to 650 pounds that requires an initial push force up to 50 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Working Conditions:

• May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings, and weekends.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

We believe Stanford’s future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

Why Stanford is for You:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, and course auditing. Join a TedTalk, watch a film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

A strong internal candidate has been identified for this position.