Date:	January 26, 2016
Reports to (Job Title):	Head, Information Services and Resources, Dana Porter Library
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	GIS Specialist; Library Associate, Geospatial Centre
Department:	Library
Location:	Geospatial Centre, Dana Porter Library, Main Campus
Grade:	USG 8-13 35 hr/wk

Primary Purpose

The Geospatial Services Librarian is the Coordinator of the Geospatial Centre and responsible for the development and coordination of Geospatial Centre activities for the Library. He/she is accountable for developing, coordinating, delivering, monitoring, assessing, and advancing the use of mapping and geospatial resources for the University of Waterloo community through the Library. He/she works in close collaboration with colleagues within the Library and campus partners to develop and support services around the use of maps and geospatial data for research, teaching and learning.

Key Accountabilities:

1. As a member of Porter Information Services and Resources (ISR),the Librarian:

Supports and advances the Library’s strategic directions to further the Library’s contribution to the campus Strategic Plan for learning, teaching, and research in the campus community
Consults with the library and campus community to develop, implement, coordinate, and review initiatives/services/resources that support teaching, learning and research
Promotes the use of Library services and resources to the campus community, with particular respect to cartographic and geospatial resources
Provides instruction in areas related to expertise
Remains current and conversant with trends and practices within the geospatial community by:

Maintaining general awareness of trends and developments in geospatial librarianship and the use of geospatial resources in academia
Maintaining awareness in areas of expertise and exploring potential local impacts or applications including emerging technologies and technical developments within the field of geomatics and libraries
Transferring knowledge to Library committees and staff, as well as faculty, staff and students, as appropriate

Participates in, and at times leads, Library, University, and as appropriate, non-University committees and groups, and fosters collaboration, information sharing, partnerships and expertise as required
Works with colleagues at other TriUniversity Group of Libraries (TUG), Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL), and American Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions, as appropriate, in collaborative ventures
Participates in professional development in areas such as research, courses, conference presentations, posters and ongoing skills acquisition/

2. As the Librarian who is responsible for the daily activities and advancement of the Geospatial Centre (GSC) and supervising staff, the incumbent:

Establishes priorities and develops long- and short-term goals within the context of the Library’s overall goals in collaboration with Head, Porter ISR
Advocates for and allocates resources necessary for the achievement of goals in consultation with Head, Porter ISR
Identifies changing circumstances and trends that require review and revision of policies and practices
Day-to-day management of allotted budget, timesheets etc.
Manages change, including the temporary redeployment of staff
Hires, trains, and supervises staff

Ensures that staff providing information services are aware of and remain in compliance with the terms and conditions of signed data license agreements
Coaches, trains and develops employee(s) to assure growth and development of that (those) individual(s)
Conducts regular performance reviews with direct report(s), and supports achievement of performance goals
Makes decisions on the hiring of his/her direct report(s), in consultation with the Head, Information Services and Resources, Dana Porter Library and the AUL, Information Resources & Academic Excellence

Oversees casual staff supervision by Library Associate
Responds to anything that requires immediate supervisory attention
Serves as a resource person for staff who are expected to apply high-quality customer service skills as trained in the department
Represents the unit or department library-wide or beyond in committee work or on special projects such as with TUG or OCUL
Plans and manages projects that maintain or enhance Geospatial Centre services and resources
Coordinates and directs the work of the Geospatial staff, including full time staff, co-op students and student workers

3. As the Librarian accountable for geospatial information service development and delivery, the incumbent:

Oversees and participates in Geospatial Center information services delivery, including:

Overseeing and/or providing training for other Library staff for geospatial information service delivery
Providing information services at virtual and/or physical service points
Providing research consultations to faculty, students, and staff

Organizes and develops the Geospatial Centre through evaluation, revision and improvement of the existing services in collaboration with the department head
Works with TUG colleagues and the OCUL’s Map Group to plan and develop collaborative geospatial data services and projects, such as the Scholars Geoportal
Develops new tools and improves accessibility of resources in collaboration with Digital Initiatives, and as appropriate Information Resource Management Committee (IRMC)
Regularly uses, evaluates and recommends, and advocates for emerging software applications for online mapping programs, and computing/communications hardware and peripherals in consultation with the Geospatial Systems specialist, Digital Initiatives, and Library Technologies and Facilities Services
Builds case and advocates for emerging software applications for GIS products, such as Esri GIS products, open source applications, other GIS tools, in collaboration with GIS specialist
Develops outreach/promotional services, publications and programs which support the Geospatial Services and data resources
Set goals and establish procedures and guidelines for service delivery in consultation with Head, Porter ISR

4. As a Librarian providing instruction or support for instructional activities, the incumbent:

Participates in the Library’s instructional activities, by:

Developing, designing, delivering, and assessing instruction programs, including designing instructional materials, whether in person, online or in a blended environment
Developing modules for instructional activities as related to cartographic and geospatial knowledge and skill development and the use of geospatial centre resources
Maintains effective online and print instructional content

Works with liaison librarians and faculty to integrate the use of the collection and GIS technology into course assignments and research activities
Enables/facilitates and as appropriate delivers GIS instruction at Musagetes Architecture Library
Develops and is accountable for the content of the GSC webpages and instructional guides/tutorials and handouts

5. As a Librarian responsible for collection management of geospatial centre resources, the incumbent:

Develops and maintains collection development and retention policies that reflect the needs of the campus and support long term management and relevance of the collection
Maintains current knowledge about the Acquisitions Budget and manages the budget allocations in a fiscally responsible manner, with particular attention to cartographic and geospatial resources
Selects, acquires, develops cartographic and geospatial collections in a fiscally responsible manner aiming to maximize the scope and depth of the collection, including:

collaborating with cataloguing to ensure access to digital resources
overseeing maintenance of print cartographic collection

Collaborates with other Librarians and Library Department Heads regarding the selection and evaluation of interdisciplinary collections
In co-operation with the Head, Collection Development and Heads, ISR, as appropriate:
Interacts and negotiates with publishers/vendors
Assesses vendors platforms & products and service
Remains in close contact with data providers and participates in ongoing GIS discussions with federal, provincial and local agencies to negotiate access to and updates of geospatial data and related materials
Participates in the exploration and piloting of innovative collection development initiatives
Develops and implements innovative and effective ways to provide improved access to the library’s cartographic and geospatial collections
Analyzes the use of collections, and applies gained information to collection decisions
Evaluates the print and electronic collections and recommends actions based on condition and relevance of the collection
Collaborates with the Library’s Cataloguing Department to ensure the creation and/or modification of metadata records to enable effective access, retrieval and use of geodata and related materials

Position Requirements

Education:

ALA-accredited Master of Library & Information Science degree, or equivalent,GIS training or certificate.

Experience:

Academic background and/or applicable knowledge of the specific subject area demonstrated through undergraduate or advanced degree, coursework or work experience
Experience with information services delivery, in-person or virtual
Experience providing instructional sessions, workshops, or presentations

Proven ability to work effectively in a service-oriented environment, which values collaboration and collegiality, and to interact with all staff in a respectful and sensitive manner

Proven excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and commitment to fostering positive working relationships & build partnerships
Ability to maintain effective working relationships across library and campus departments or groups

Experience in effectively leading and managing staff or team projects, including staff development and coaching as well as the use of participatory, evidence-based decision-making principles and processes

Proven self-starter with superior customer service ethics and a demonstrated commitment to innovation, creativity, and excellence

Demonstrated ability to independently, as well as collaboratively, plan, coordinate, implement and assess effective services and collections projects, including managing multiple and simultaneous projects

Ability to identify and evaluate new opportunities effectively and efficiently, including managing multiple and simultaneous projects, ensuring their feasibility and sustainability

Demonstrated ability to analyze data and synthesize recommendations

Demonstrated experience in addressing challenges and opportunities associated with a rapidly changing environment

Technical:

Knowledge of current practices and trends in the areas of interest to the specific liaison portfolio(s)
Ability to develop, deliver and assess instructional content, in person and virtually, such as web content, screencasts, webinars
An understanding of the collection development process including principles of proactive information resources development and management, licensing and strong vendor relationships
Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability and aptitude to use and learn new technologies to enhance and deliver information services
Ability and aptitude to collaborate in an online, technology-rich environment

Knowledge of current practices and trends in the areas of information services, information seeking, information literacy and instruction, information resources development and management, scholarly communication, and higher education
Experience with financial and budget information
Understands how research contributes to evidence-based decision-making

Assets:

Experience in an academic Library setting
Demonstrated experience in leading and managing staff, including staff development and coaching

Technical:

MS Word	Excel	PowerPoint	Other
Intermediate	Advanced	Basic	Advanced (see Technical Above)

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

Internally, communicates with employees in all groups and departments throughout the University community and at all levels to gather ideas, envision, articulate, update and inform on projects s/he is leading or otherwise accountable for. Externally, communicates frequently with vendors and colleagues at other institutions in order to execute work.

Level of Responsibility:

The position is responsible and accountable for day-to-day running and advancement of the geospatial centre, staffing, information service development and delivery, collection management and instruction.

Decision-Making Authority:

Responsible and accountable for the development and maintenance of high quality user-focused services & information resources in the Geospatial Centre. As required, the position consults with the Department Heads, ISR, and members of the Library Managers Group.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions typical of an office position exposed to stress and pressure associated with those responsibilities.

Working Environment:

Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions typical of an office position exposed to stress and pressure associated with those responsibilities