Description:

The University of Houston (UH) Libraries seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking leader to serve as the Head of the Health Sciences Services (HSS) department. The Head of HSS provides vision, leadership, and strategy for health science services across two Libraries locations, the Health Sciences Library and the Medical Library. The position offers exciting opportunities to enhance library services during a time of growth and expansion, as the university seeks to become a designated Health Science Center, double health-related research expenditures, and grow health programs and partnerships.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Student Engagement (RASE), the Head of HSS collaboratively establishes departmental priorities in alignment with the Libraries’ strategic plan and in support of research and student success in the health sciences. This position leads the delivery of specialized services in the areas of medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, social work, and other health professional programs. The Head of HSS collaborates with other Libraries units to offer research support, information literacy instruction, and relevant collections across the health sciences disciplines. They also oversee onsite services at both HSS library locations and ensure alignment with workflows across departments. The Head of HSS is responsible for managing department personnel, including providing coaching and support for effective goal setting and professional development.

The Head of Health Sciences Services is a promotion-eligible librarian position. Librarians hold academic rank pursuant to the University of Houston Libraries’ Bylaws Document. They are expected to develop a record of service, scholarship, and professional involvement. UH Libraries supports the ongoing professional development of librarians, and our goal is to recruit librarians committed to continuous learning.

Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program
- Professional experience in a health sciences library, academic library, or relevant healthcare setting
- Demonstrated knowledge of best practices, current issues, and trends for health sciences and medical library services
- Demonstrated ability to provide vision and leadership for a library department
- Ability to work strategically and collaboratively in a complex, changing environment

Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing research and/or information literacy services
- Professional experience with budget management and reporting

Salary:
Salary is dependent on qualifications and rank. Department head salary ranges are $90,000-$92,000 for Assistant Librarians and $97,000-$99,000 for Associate Librarians. Comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs, including TIAA; tax-deferred annuity program available; release time to take a class up to 3 hours/week; no state or local income tax.

Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Visit the UH Libraries Employment page for more information: http://libraries.uh.edu/about/employment/. Potential applicants seeking further information should contact Santi Thompson, Interim Associate Dean for Organizational Development, Learning, and Talent, at 713-743-9685 or sathompson3@uh.edu.

As part of their application, candidates should include contact information for three (3) professional references and an unofficial transcript of their ALA-accredited library/information science degree.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.