Reference & Research Specialist

Date Posted: 11/01/2023
Req ID: 34765
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: UTM: Library
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Position Number: 00038922

Description:

About us:

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential.

Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

The University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system is the largest academic library in Canada and is consistently ranked among the top-10 research libraries in North America. The system consists of 40 libraries located on three University campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough that together provide access to more than 12 million print volumes, millions of electronic resources in various formats, and almost 30,000 linear metres of archival materials. The Libraries’ data centre houses more than 200 servers with a storage capacity of 1.5 petabytes.

The U of T Mississauga Library (UTM Library), located in the award-winning Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre (HMALC), is a leading, world-class Library committed to providing students with an open and collaborative environment – one that embeds rich information and technology resources, integrates expert services into a dynamic and imaginative experience, and inspiresand facilitates learning. The UTM Library offers inspiring study and research spaces, a dedicated team of Librarians and Library staff, and a suite of public, instruction and research support services that support faculty, staff and students.

Your opportunity:

The UTM Library offers a dynamic and professional environment that fosters a culture built on respect, accountability, teamwork, and a shared commitment to customer service. The incumbent will collaborate extensively with various Library units in offering innovative and comprehensive solutions for a variety of Library initiatives. Our core mission is to support the learning, teaching and research needs of all UTM undergraduate and graduate programs.

Under the general supervision of the Head, Public Services & Outreach, the incumbent is responsible for identifying and responding to reference requests, establishing reference needs through appropriate questioning, and delivering excellent customerservice. Other responsibilities include providing technical support and liaising with technical specialists to resolve end-user issues.

Your responsibilities will include:

Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures on the selection and appropriate use of reference resources
Clarifying the information needs of users through probing questions
Researching and recommending appropriate resources and materials to library users
Implementing plans and process improvements for reference administration activities
Keeping well-informed on reference sources and technologies
Editing digital objects to be used for brochures, newsletters, handouts, websites and/orhandbooks

Essential Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
Minimum four (4) years of experience providing reference or information services in a library or a comparable setting
Experience using an integrated online library system
Experience creating handouts and materials to support student learning needs
Experience delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/orinitiatives
Demonstrated academic research database and search engine skills
Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint
Excellent customer service skills, with demonstrated tact and diplomacy, and a strong commitment to the promotion of positive public relations amongst users
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work in a team environment and independently
Demonstrated analytical ability, initiative, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated time management skills with ability to handle and prioritize a high volume of demands and work under pressure
Accuracy and attention to detail in a complex and fast-paced work environment
Effective interpersonal skills to develop good working relations among project teams, staff, faculty, and peers
Ability to identify, assess, and respond to basic issues with computer software and hardware, and other devices used by library patrons

Assets (Nonessential):

Experience using Canvas or other comparable Learning Management System(s)
Knowledge of the Copyright Act of Canada and principles of fair dealing by postsecondary institutions in Canada
Knowledge of Sharepoint, Microsoft 365, or comparable collaborative applications
Knowledge of video conferencing software for remote meetings

To be successful in this role you will be:

Adaptable
Approachable
Possess a positive attitude
Problem solver
Resourceful

This role is not eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 11/21/2023, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing
Schedule: The incumbent will work fully on-site at the UTM Library with some evenings and weekends required.
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 10 — $69,455 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $88,819. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Library Services
Recruiter: Jessica Halteh

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.