University Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more. Posted Job Title Library Specialist, Math/Physics/Astronomy Library Job Profile Title Library Specialist Job Description Summary The University of Pennsylvania Libraries Math/Physics/Astronomy (MPA) Library seeks a resourceful, service-oriented, and solution-focused Library Specialist, Math/Physics/Astronomy Library. Working independently, the LS performs public services work at advanced levels and handles a full range of duties necessary to operate a small library unit. The Library Specialist is responsible for advanced problem solving and coordination of patron services based on knowledge and experience acquired working in libraries. The MPA Library, located in David Rittenhouse Laboratory, currently supports the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The library’s staff consists of one librarian, 1.5 bargaining unit staff, and 15-20 student assistants. Reporting to the librarian, the Library Specialist manages the library’s daily operations and space, ensuring the library is always appropriately staffed. The Library Specialist supervises student assistants and manages the library’s patron and access services. As the student assistant supervisor, the Library Specialist hires, trains, attentively manages, and continuously coaches student assistants. The Library Specialist works collaboratively with departmental library colleagues and provides staffing assistance to the Chemistry Library if needed. The position frequently interacts with patrons at the service desk, and the Library Specialist must efficiently switch their attention to resume interrupted work. The successful candidate will be exceptionally flexible and organized, as patron and operational needs can cause work to change on very short notice. This is a permanent, full-time, on-campus bargaining unit position represented by a labor union. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hours may change with operational needs. Job Description Responsibilities Supervise student assistants. + Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise student assistants and ensure the library is sufficiently staffed at all times, including during breaks and shift changes. + Collaboratively work with departmental library colleagues, such as in the Chemistry Library, to coordinate student staffing assistance. + Proactively communicate with student assistants in person, by email, and other appropriate channels; frequently check student work; and consistently coach performance. + Update and maintain the student assistant handbook. Regularly revise the student training program and materials to improve accountability and patron service. + Collect and compile student assistant statistics as directed. + Participate in relevant student supervisor meetings and activities. Manage patron and access services. + Assist patrons in navigating library collections, services, and systems. Address questions, resolve issues, and, if appropriate, refer inquiries to other individuals or departments. + Supervise the library circulation desk. Answer patron questions in person and by telephone. Frequently check MPA Library and work email accounts and promptly respond to inquiries. + Assist with wayfinding, basic reference, and using library equipment. Address library account, circulation, and electronic resource access issues. + Troubleshoot and report library equipment, software, and systems issues. + Perform access services functions, including requesting, retrieving, circulating, and scanning items. Assist with collection maintenance. + Regularly monitor designated communication platforms and library systems to complete work according to established standards. + Participate in relevant library-wide meetings and activities. Learn new skills, library systems, and programs independently and through training. Share information with stakeholders. Handle the full range of duties necessary to operate a small library unit. + Ensure daily library operations and services continue uninterrupted during planned and unplanned library staff and student assistant absences. Coordinate with colleagues to provide and receive staffing assistance and training. + Promptly report and track environmental and other facility issues to appropriate personnel; take reasonable action to minimize disruptions to patrons and operations; and follow up until the issues are resolved. + Under the supervisor's direction, assist with developing, coordinating, and implementing modifications to library operations, services, and programs. + Create and maintain library records and files. Collect, analyze, and report library statistics. Regularly document workflows, procedures, and policies. Check the mailroom and receive deliveries. + Carry out standard operating procedures, such as opening the library. Communicate and enforce university and library policies. + Full range of duties may include but are not limited to organizing the unit; performing physical processing, collections management, and course reserves functions; creating informational and promotional materials; and acting as a backup to meet operational needs. Perform additional duties as assigned. Qualifications Required + Extensive skills in public service matters developed through a combination of experience and specific training. Actual experience in the work assigned and the ability to work independently. + Undergraduate degree and 3-5 years of patron and access services experience in an academic library --- OR --- equivalent combination of education and experience. + Ability to perform operational duties for a physical library location, such as opening and closing procedures, reporting facility issues, and communicating policies to patrons. + Ability to effectively direct the work of others and ensure accountability. + Strong record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and resourcefulness. + Patron service focus and commitment to creating a welcoming library environment. + Demonstrated organizational skills, adaptability, and good judgment. + Strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills. + Proven ability to successfully work independently and collegially with patrons and colleagues. + Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and willingness to learn new skills and technologies independently. Preferred + Experience in effectively supervising staff and building a customer service ethos. + Collection maintenance experience. + Experience with Alma, Springshare products, and Adobe applications. Application Requirement + A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV ; multiple documents are allowed. Please note that this position is a bargaining unit position represented by a labor union . Job related responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and compensation associated with this position are determined by a collective bargaining agreement. Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School University Library Pay Range $35.21 - $35.21 Hourly Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and the pay range assigned to the job profile. Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law . Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. University Benefits + Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. + Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions. + Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard. + Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be. + Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting. + Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance. + Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally. + University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free. + Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks. + Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures. + Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements. + Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household. ​ To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.