JOB DESCRIPTION. 4. DEPARTMENT: Learning and Information Services

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Subject Librarian (Institute of Medicine) 2. HR REFERENCE NUMBER: HR ROLE CODE: FINSULB 4. DEPARTMENT: Learning and Information Services 5. ORGANISATION CHART: The post will report directly to the Senior Librarian responsible for Seaborne, Broomhead and Kingsway Libraries 6. JOB PURPOSE: To support the teaching, learning and research needs of the departments in the newly formed Institute of Medicine. The post holder will also assist the Faculty Librarian for Science and Engineering through support of those faculty programmes that are Chester based. The role holder will provide user education for staff and student and on-going liaison with the Faculty is a key aspect of this role. The post holder will have a service manager responsibility for co-ordinating LIS support for the maintenance and development of the Institutional Repository, including working on material and records deposited in the Repository (validating and approving metadata), have the ability to understand and interpret research funder OA deposit policies, and knowledge of copyright (liaising with appropriate colleagues as required).the post holder will also support the alternative formats service in terms of the acquisition and formatting of alternative formats of core texts. Operational service management of one of the following areas will also form part of role: Collections and Acquisitions Database and Authority files Journals and document delivery Stock management including relegation. Bibliographical Referencing Copyright and legal compliance. These responsibilities may be reallocated by mutual agreements or reviewed to meet the needs of the service. The Subject Librarian is currently responsible for the Collections Management policy which includes strategy and procedures for relegating materials and bibliographic referencing guides. 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: University of Chester library provision includes the Seaborne and Riverside Libraries at Chester, the Broomhead Library at Warrington and Faculty of Health and Social Care libraries at Clatterbridge in Wirral and Leighton near Crewe. In addition the Faculty of Health and Social Care has a number of

2 service level agreements in place across the region. The Thornton campus formerly Shell Technology Centre outside Ellesmere Port was acquired by the University in March 2013 and provides accommodation for the faculty of Science and Engineering. New libraries are planned during summer 2015, one library at the Guildhall in Shrewsbury and a library to support the Faculty of BELL in Handbridge, Chester. 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively The role holder communicates with academic staff on a daily basis by phone, or face to face to deal with subject specific queries, library orders and budgets or user education matters. The role holder should be approachable, with good communication skills and a good telephone manner is required to explain and demonstrate both simple and complex sources of information to users. Subject Librarians are required to attend Faculty Boards of Study, staff/student liaison meetings, validation events and must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Effective and accurate communication is a key part of the role in particular in relation to the Institutional Repository. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively The subject librarian is expected to lead the team encouraging the development of new initiatives and technologies as appropriate and to share best practice with other teams. Close collaboration and liaison across all teams within the department is essential in managing the repository, accessible books and stock management. 8.3 Liaison and Networking The role-holder is proactive in maintaining links with colleagues within LIS and in academic and support departments, and relevant staff at partner colleges. The role holder is expected to develop external links within the HE sector to keep up to date with professional developments and share best practice within the relevant subject areas and in matters related to the Repository and stock relegation. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service The subject librarian leads the team in delivering a high quality of service by ensuring book fund is spent effectively, resources are ordered and catalogued in a timely manner and online learning materials are made available as and when required. Enquiries from both staff and students are dealt with in a professional and competent manner and all user education and training is provided at the appropriate level. 8.5 Effective Decision Making The role-holder will consult with academic departments in order to make informed decisions about which resources to order to best support students, and about how to promote the use of these resources through user education

3 and effective publication of information about the resources on the University intranet. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others The role holder manages the workload of the team ensuring that tasks are prioritised to meet high demand at certain times of the year. The role holder manages the book fund for the Institute ensuring budget is wisely spent and that the Institute is assured of value for money This particular role also involves training and advocating the use of the Institutional Repository to other members of staff. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) The role-holder is creative in resolving issues for example providing alternative resources or offering other solutions and the role-holder leads the team in constantly monitoring and reviewing service provision. 8.8 Analysis and Research The role holder is expected to monitor use of key electronic resources to ensure that budget is being wisely spent. The role holder is responsible for ensuring that data collection systems are in place, for example weeding statistics relating to stock management and requirements for the Institutional Repository. The role holder should check that meta data standards are being meet in terms of information added to the Institutional Repository, and review the alternative formatting service to identify and develop change plans. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands The role holder will use regular office equipment MFD, PC and scanner. The role holder may be required to shelve and trolley books at peak times and to participate in major stock moves Work Environment The role holder is required to work in an environment which is relatively stable and has little impact on the role holder or the way in which work is completed. If the role holder is the most senior member of staff they have responsibility for the health and safety of customers and other colleagues in the Seaborne Library and are expected to take appropriate action in accordance with health and safety guidelines. Travel to other sites or partner colleges will be required at times Pastoral Care and Welfare The role holder is required to show sensitivity to those who may need help or - in extreme cases - are showing signs of obvious distress; initiate appropriate action by involving relevant people. The role holder is expected to deal with any issues arising within the team in an appropriate manner adhering to standard University guidelines.

4 8.12 Team Development The role holder is responsible for the induction of new team members and to participate in induction programmes across the wider department. The role holder is responsible for completing Performance and Development Reviews for team members. As repository/stock relegation manager the post holder is responsible for training staff in these areas. The role holder may be asked to mentor new members of staff 8.13 Teaching and Learning Support The role-holder creates and delivers a range of user education programmes to support staff and students across their departments. This may involve both formal and informal user education and literacy skills programmes eg searching the library catalogue and key databases or explaining how to use Endnote bibliographic software. It also involves writing guidelines in print or electronic format Knowledge and Experience The role holder is expected to have a degree and professional library qualification. The role holder will be expected to demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development by attending relevant staff development events and acquiring and updating skills requisite for the role. Qualified Librarians who are not yet chartered will be considered providing that they undertake to become chartered within three years. Work towards a Masters degree or postgraduate qualification in management, librarianship or information science. At least two years experience in an academic or special library service including user support and experience of supervising staff or leading teams. A good working knowledge of automated library systems and cataloguing and classification is required General The role holder will undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. The role holder will take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. The role holder will comply with all University Health and Safety policies.

5 Job Title: Subject Librarian PERSON SPECIFICATION PERSON SPECIFICATION Department: Learning & Information Services Criteria / Desirable Method of identification Qualifications: First degree Professional Library/Information qualification Master s degree or willingness to work towards ECDL or equivalent Desirable Application Application Application Application Proven Experience: Relevant experience at an appropriate level in an academic or special library service Experience of managing change Experience of working with institutional repository data or open access publishing Desirable Delivering academic and service excellence: Experience of high level customer care Experience of delivering a range of IT literacy programmes Relevant subject knowledge in at least one of the subject areas taught Strong interpersonal skills Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail Application/ Interview Managing self and inspiring others: Ability to set team priorities in line with LIS strategy Proactive approach to team management Interview Interview Working together: Ability to manage projects effectively Ability to work flexibly and to encourage flexibility and agility within the team Interview Interview

6 Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Ability to make effective decisions Interview Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Method of identification is where the selection panel will match the candidate s skills and abilities to the required criteria outlined (i.e. application form, interview, test)

7 UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT LEARNING AND INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT LIBRARIAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE SALARY SCALE University Scale OS7, points 23-26, 25,513-27,864 per annum, payable monthly in arrears. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK 36.5 hours per week to be worked as follows:- Monday to Thursday 9.00am pm Friday 9.00am pm (less one hour for lunch each day) One early morning and evening duty are requirements of this post. A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly.

8 SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Candidates should apply for this vacancy via our online recruitment website ( by Monday 10 th August 2015 quoting reference number HR14432.