University Librarian - Oregon Health & Science University
Thursday, April 26, 2018 12:00 AM

Position: University Librarian
Institution: Oregon Health & Science University
Location: Portland, Oregon
View position profile. 

The University Librarian’s Role

Reporting to the Executive Vice Provost, the Univer sity Librarian is responsible for the leadership, and administration of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Library. The University Librarian will be responsible for developing and implementing a long-term strategy for how the Library will position itself as an innovative leader both locally and nationally in knowledge technology and informatics, emphasizing and being inclusive of data sciences, educational outreach, information literacy, research communication and analytics, translational research, interoperability, and reproducibility.

The duties of this position include:

  • Formulating and implementing effective customer-centered service strategies that enhance the library’s ability to become deeply integrated into OHSU's healthcare, research, and education missions;
  • Cultivating and enhancing partnerships with academic departments, research centers, institutes, and learning communities;
  • Creating an environment which recruits, retains, and supports the professional advancement of high-quality faculty and staff;
  • Assuring effective use of material and resources in the achievement of Library objectives;
  • Uncovering future needs and placing the OHSU library in a position to make a strong impact locally, regionally, and nationally;
  • Recommending budget allocations and assuring responsible application of fiscal resources given to the Library;
  • Assisting OHSU Executive Leadership in setting policies, operating priorities, and rules in support of Library activities;
  • Incorporating the skills and experience of OHSU library faculty and staff into the planning and decision-making process;
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues and organizations within and outside of the OHSU community;
  • Advocating on behalf of the library and making visible the value the OHSU library brings to the OHSU community and external stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

  • The ideal candidate will have a MLS from an ALA-accredited program, and an advanced degree preferred in information science, informatics, education, business, or other related disciplines.
  • Extensive experience in academic health sciences or medical library, with a minimum of 10 years of increasingly higher levels of responsibility, including strong supervisory experience.
  • A strong record of professional scholarship and service is preferred.
  • Outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to action with the ability to inspire and mobilize others.
  • An appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, staff, faculty, and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the educational, research and clinical needs of the health sciences community; commitment to the goals of scholarship; enthusiasm for developing a world-class library, and a vision of the library as the intellectual gathering place within the academic community.
  • Outstanding communication skills, with experience in effectively collaborating with institutional peers.
  • Abilities to develop and manage budgets, to plan and implement complex projects, and a record of solid management skills and creative leadership. 
  • Record of success in developing and/or implementing technological and/or educational innovation and in securing external funds through grants and/or private fund-raising preferred.

About OHSU Library

At a time of unprecedented transformation in information technologies, culture, and practices, the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Library, the largest health sciences library in Oregon, seeks to inspire scholarship, discovery, and collaboration in the face of such rapid change. The OHSU Library is committed to leveraging innovative tools and service models to meet new challenges faced by its diverse users. The library system is home to six collections including the OHSU Library, Oregon National Primate Research Center Library, Struble Library, Historical Collections & Archives, Digital Collections, and Trunkey Rare Book Collection. The OHSU library serves all faculty, staff, and students, as well as health professionals and residents across the State of Oregon through both physical and digital resources, as well as, the expertise of its librarians and staff.

About Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University is a thriving institution that has seen enrollment increase by 20 percent over the last decade. OHSU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and/or certificates in over 89 accredited education programs, several of them joint with other institutions. Of the 2800+ students enrolled at OHSU in Fall 2017, approximately 70% were graduate and professional students. Nearly all of OHSU’s undergraduate students are in nursing and public health programs. Additionally, OHSU provides training to over 800 interns, residents and fellows in over 80 accredited residency and fellowship programs and delivers continuing education to thousands of healthcare professionals each year.  

Over the past six years, OHSU has undergone structural and programmatic changes that have fostered innovation and growth across the University’s academic programs. State-of-the-art facilities have come online, dynamic leaders have been recruited and a multitude of major initiatives have transformed the University’s science and health professions educational programs. These exciting developments have put OHSU on a firm trajectory towards educational innovation and excellence.

OHSU has over 16,000 employees including nearly 3,000 faculty and also engages over 2,000 volunteer faculty at clinical sites throughout Oregon to help train its students in a community setting. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, OHSU’s operating budget totaled approximately $2.8 billion with about 75% of revenue coming from clinical fees, 20% from grants, and 1.3% from state appropriations.

The University’s history and current activities demonstrate a deeply felt commitment to community service, improving the health and well-being of people in and around Oregon, and educating Oregon's healthcare providers of the future. OHSU cares for more than 258,000 patients annually through about 1,000,000 visits and is the primary resource in the region for many types of highly specialized or tertiary care cases. The University’s patient care services also include dozens of general and specialty clinics and diagnostic laboratories.

Patient care connects directly to the thriving research on the same campus. OHSU is currently conducting 657 clinical trials to accelerate the translation of research from basic science lab discoveries into treatments that directly benefit patients. The University attracted $410 million in the past year to fund promising studies to add to the body of knowledge about prevention, detection and the treatment of disease. OHSU has faculty members who are Howard Hughes Investigators, members of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, and fellows of the Royal Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Nursing.

View OHSU’s Mission.

Procedure for Applications:

While applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, parties who apply by May 31, 2018 will be given first consideration. Please submit a PDF version of your curriculum vitae and letter of interest upon application. All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.

For nominations or further information:
Stephanie Fowler
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 530-677-9945 

How to apply: Apply online!

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. OHSU is proud of its commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or [email protected].