Job Category
Faculty Bargaining

Job Title
Indigenous Initiatives Librarian

Department
UBCO | Associate Chief Librarian, Engagement Access | Faculty | Library (Matthew-Jim D’Elia)

Posting End Date
April 21, 2021

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Indigenous Initiatives Librarian
(Fixed Term Appointment, Full-time, 24 months)

The University of British Columbia | Okanagan Campus

NOTE: This is a limited term position for a fixed period of two years with the possibility of extension.

The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus is situated in Kelowna on the traditional, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Peoples.

DESCRIPTION:

The Library at UBC’s Okanagan campus invites applications from innovative, collaborative Librarians committed to supporting research excellence and transformative student learning experiences for a fixed term contract position as the Indigenous Initiatives Librarian. We are an engaged group that values collaboration, flexibility, and creativity, and we are looking for candidates with up to two years’ relevant experience who welcome an opportunity to work closely with staff, faculty, students, and campus colleagues and the broader Okanagan community. The Okanagan Library prides itself on being an inclusive place, a service-oriented team, and a nexus of scholarly engagement. We lead by example and empower by design as outlined in the Library’s Strategic Framework. Our work is also informed and guided by UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC Okanagan’s Declaration of Truth and Reconciliation Commitments. This position reports to the Associate Chief Librarian, Engagement and Access. The nature and scope of responsibilities for this position may change as the Library evolves.

The job description can be viewed at: https://library.ok.ubc.ca/about/work-at-the-library/

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree from an accredited program of library, or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program;
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and/or experience of Indigenous scholarship, Indigenous information services, and Indigenous Peoples’ histories and cultures in what is now called Canada;
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous relationality, or relationship building;
• Familiarity with academic library systems and their applications to reference and research services used in an academic environment.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

We at UBC Okanagan Library want to emphasize that the preferred skills and qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping and supporting our future colleague develop these preferred skills and qualifications as needed.

• Instructional experience;
• Reference and research service experience;
• Experience employing relevant technologies to enhance online and face-to-face engagement with various communities on and off campus. Examples include but are not limited to: Learning Management Systems, tutorials, videos, research guides (such as LibGuides), citation guides, and virtual reference;
• Experience in or knowledge of assessment activities to support continuous improvement of library services that enhance student learning, engagement, and retention.

This is a new position, and the specific work this position will be developed based on the successful candidate’s skills and in conjunction with existing relationships, projects, and activities that are currently being supported by the UBC Okanagan Library.

EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS AND PROJECTS:

UBC Okanagan Library is already engaged with multiple programs and initiatives related to Indigenous Initiatives. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to support, engage, and contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Contribute to curricular innovations in Indigenization, including the development of the Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Fluency, in collaboration with relevant campus departments and partners, and external organizations (i.e.: En’owkin Centre);
• Support the conceptual and technical development of the BC Regional Digitized History project with emphasis on stewarding appropriate inclusion and representation of Indigenous Knowledges;
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance relationships with Aboriginal Programs and Services, the Aboriginal Access program, and other campus partners;
• Develop and implement the Library’s Indigenous engagement priorities, in alignment with UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC Okanagan’s Declaration of Truth and Reconciliation Commitments, through collaboration with Indigenous students, faculty, communities and organizations in the Okanagan.

POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Many of the following activities and responsibilities are currently being supported by members of our Library team. The successful candidate for this position will have the opportunity to strengthen, contribute, expand, and/or take on elements of this work, as well as identify new opportunities in collaboration with colleagues, depending on capacity and interest:

• Liaise with assigned academic departments and support subject librarians to enhance the value of the Library as a partner in teaching, research, and scholarship related to Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation;
• Maintain and develop Indigenous content for teaching and research including workshops, subject guides, and online learning materials;
• Identify, source, and purchase materials across genres and formats that correspond to an Indigenous-centered collecting focus in collaboration with librarian colleagues;
• Serve as a strategist and resource person for the Library on Indigenous programs, services and engagement in academic libraries, liaising with colleagues at UBC Vancouver’s Xwi7xwa Library and Indigenous Research Support Initiative;
• Provide specialized reference and research services to students, staff and faculty members as well as members of the general public who visit the Okanagan Campus Library and the UBC Innovation Library in downtown Kelowna;
• Network with the broader community of local, provincial, national, international Indigenous libraries. Participate in relevant conferences, committees and other professional development activities.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT:

This is a full-time fixed term appointment with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2021. The start date is flexible depending on candidate requirements. This successful candidate for this position will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by a collective agreement.

This position is anticipated to be filled at an annual starting gross salary of up to $6,000 monthly ($72,000 per annum equivalent) plus vacation and benefits. This salary reflects having up to and including two (2) years of relevant professional experience in accordance with the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications for this exciting opportunity are to be submitted in one consolidated file (PDF or Microsoft word format) and will include:

• A current curriculum vitae and cover letter detailing education, training, and work experience in the areas listed above;
• A statement of citizenship/immigration status in either the curriculum vitae or cover letter;
• The names and emails of three references, which can include both professional references from past work experience, but we also encourage references from Indigenous community organizations or leaders whom candidates have strong personal or professional connections to.

Please note candidates will be required to create a profile through the UBC system in order to submit an application.  

Please direct your questions to:
Lois Marshall lois.marshall@ubc.ca
Manager, Planning and Operations | Library
The University of British Columbia | Okanagan Campus
3287 University Way Kelowna BC V1V 1V7