Job Posting Title:

John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services, The Harry Ransom Center

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Hiring Department:

Harry Ransom Center

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes About the Harry Ransom Center:

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.  Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. The Ransom Center welcomes and respects all individuals and communities by valuing and maintaining awareness of under-represented perspectives and experiences. To learn more about our institutional mission and values, visit: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/about/#mission-values.

Purpose

The John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services reports to the Director and provides leadership and vision for the Ransom Center’s Research Services Division with responsibility for all research operations including Reader Services, Reference, Instruction, and Fellowships (24 FTE).  Serves as a member of the Ransom Center’s senior leadership team.  

NOTE: To ensure your application is given priority consideration, please submit your materials by 9/22/24. Applications received after this date will still be reviewed, but those submitted by the deadline will be given preferential consideration.

Responsibilities

Develop researcher-centered strategies and policies that foster a rich and productive research experience for more than one thousand onsite researchers a year and a high volume of virtual reference queries.Provides strategic leadership for an active program of instruction with rare and unique primary source materials that serves the pedagogical goals of our faculty and enriches the student experience.In collaboration with the Fellowship Coordinator, design and manage a fellowship program which awards approximately 50 competitive fellowships a year that support onsite use of the Center’s distinctive collections.Cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and advance the growth and professional development of the Research Services staff, graduate student assistants, and undergraduate interns.  Collect and track key metrics for ongoing assessment of teaching and research impacts.  Participate in national professional associations and continuing education and remain current in research services best practices.Serves on the Ransom Center’s senior leadership team and works collaboratively with the Director, with four Associate Directors (Division of Technical & Digital Collections, Exhibitions & Public Programs, Preservation & Conservation, Curatorial Affairs), and the Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager, Chief Development Officer, Head of Marketing & Communications, and the Facilities Manager to manage resources and advance institutional strategic goals.Other related functions as assigned.

Required QualificationsALA-Accredited master’s degree in library or information science.Four or more years of successful leadership experience in reference and instruction within a university or independent research library, special collections department, archive, or museum.Excellent written and oral communication skills.Successful record of collaboration in a team environment.Service oriented with a demonstrated commitment to access and to collection care.Knowledge of current theory and best practices in library and archival research services.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred QualificationsPh.D in one of the Ransom Center’s areas of collection strength (e.g. literature, theatre and performing arts, film, photography, or art).A second language (French or Spanish preferred).Experience with collection management systems (e.g. TMS or Qi) and Aeon.

Salary Range

$82,000.00+ depending on qualifications

Working ConditionsMay work around standard office conditions.Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.Use of manual dexterity.Lifting and moving.Work ShiftRegular M-F work shift with occasional Saturday and evening hours required.

Required Materials

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisorLetter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.