User Experience and Digital Accessibility Librarian

Academic

Job Category
Faculty Bargaining

Job Title
User Experience and Digital Accessibility Librarian

Department
UBC Library jobsincanada.one Digital Initiatives jobsincanada.one Library Systems (Paul Joseph)

Posting End Date
May 13, 2023

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

User Experience and Digital Accessibility Librarian

Technology, Discovery, and User Experience (TDUX), UBC Library jobsincanada.one Vancouver Campus

Full-time, Confirmation-track Librarian

Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2023

UBC LIBRARY:

As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world. 

We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated. 

The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the X wi7x wa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Over 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.

The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).

Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us .

TECHNOLOGY, DISCOVERY, AND USER EXPERIENCE (TDUX):

Technology, Discovery, and User Experience (TDUX) is a centralized library unit charged with managing technology and metadata functions to ensure oversight, coordination, and responsibility for a wide-range of library technologies. These functions include discovery, metadata, web services, user experience, accessibility, identity management, and technology infrastructure. With a focus on the user experience, TDUX is comprised of librarians and staff who work in partnership with library stakeholders, UBC IT, and library vendors to manage and deliver technology systems, services, and solutions to diverse library user groups.       

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As a member of the Technology, Discovery, and User Experience Unit (TDUX), the User Experience and Digital Accessibility (UXDA) Librarian plans and implements services that respond to the changing needs of UBC’s user communities. In support of UBC Library’s Strategic Framework, the UXDA Librarian is primarily responsible for developing and sustaining the Library’s UX services across its public-facing web, application, and physical technology infrastructure within the context of the TDUX unit and a cross-functional team of subject matter experts focused on UX. The UXDA Librarian develops usability testing and digital accessibility programs as well as incorporates into technology solutions user-centred design principles through user engagement, data gathering, assessment, analysis, and recommendations. The UXDA Librarian coordinates an integrated and holistic approach to UX and digital accessibility that includes Library websites, content strategy, 3rd party and locally-developed application interfaces, search and discovery functions, Library workstations, and other publicly-accessible physical technologies. Working with members of TDUX, the User Experience Team, and colleagues across the Library, the UXDA Librarian ensures that UX and digital accessibility inform the implementation and sustainment of the Library’s various technology solutions. The UXDA Librarian provides leadership, training, mentorship, and supervision to Library employees whose work intersect with UX and digital accessibility activities. The UXDA Librarian works in a collegial environment of iterative and consultative decision-making and participates in the development of library policy, procedures, and services.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The User Experience and Digital Accessibility (UXDA) Librarian works in the Technology, Discovery, and User Experience (TDUX) Unit to engage from a UX and digital accessibility perspective with the many facets of technology management, including access, discovery, metadata architecture, identity management, and privacy. The UXDA Librarian contributes to process development and priority setting within TDUX. The UXDA Librarian works with colleagues across the Library system in various facets related to UX and digital accessibility, including usability testing, data analysis, service design, requirements gathering, and implementation for new technologies; developing documentation; and troubleshooting problems as they arise in relation to UX and digital accessibility. The UXDA Librarian works with groups, such as the Chapman Learning Commons team, to prototype new and emerging technologies. The UXDA Librarian works with colleagues and stakeholders across both campuses of UBC on UX and digital accessibility-related topics and initiatives. This position also participates in professional development activities.

DUTIES:

User Experience and Digital Accessibility

• Develops and sustains the Library’s UX services by employing UX practices, including user-centred design principles, usability testing, information architecture development, data assessment and analysis, and digital accessibility compliance.

• Coordinates the integration of UX practices to Library websites, content strategy, 3rd party and locally-developed application interfaces, search and discovery functions, Library workstations, and other publicly-accessible physical technologies.

• Conducts systematic research and engages with Library end-users utilizing several tools and methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, card sorting and other usability testing activities.

• Collects and analyzes data in support of documenting end-user’s requirements for usability and digital accessibility.

• Advises the Library on best practices related to digital accessibility in the context of local and international guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the Accessible British Columbia Act, and the British Columbia Government’s Accessibility and Inclusion Toolkit.

• Leads the Library’s User Experience Team.

• Communicates developments and updates in UX and digital accessibility to Library employees and stakeholders.

Technology Management

• Participates in technology planning and advises on technology project requests from the perspective of UX and digital accessibility.

• Consults with members of TDUX to ensure applications and technology solutions are developed from a UX and digital accessibility perspective.

• Ensures consistent and integrated access to the Library’s services and resources in a technology-intensive collections, teaching, and learning environment.

• Provides technical advice, training, and troubleshooting related to technology projects, platforms, and tools involving discovery interfaces.

• Liaises with UBC IT and other UBC units, other academic library institutions, vendors and the library technology community regarding Library technical developments, needs, and opportunities.

• Acts as liaison between vendors and the Library for problem resolution and enhancement requests as the Library’s representative to product-related user groups.

• Participates in defining the set of strategic, core and support processes that cuts across functional and organizational boundaries in consultation with stakeholders across the Library and the University.

Library Collaboration

• Builds productive relationships and works collegially with a diverse population of Library employees.

• Collaborates with Library employees in other areas of the library system, such as through unit-wide and Library-wide teams and working groups.

• Keeps up-to-date on developments in the Library.

Supervision and Administration

• May be required to supervise student employees and staff.

• During assigned periods may have responsibility for operation of the Technology, Discovery, and User Experience Unit.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Works to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into professional practice, such as, UX, digital accessibility, and technology management.

• Contributes to the continued development of a library environment and culture that supports and celebrates EDI.

• Supports EDI through professional development opportunities and maintains an awareness of EDI initiatives at the departmental, campus, institutional and provincial level such as UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Professional Development and Scholarship

• Accepts responsibility for personal continuing professional education.

• Willingly develops and maintains skills, and assumes appropriate leadership relevant to the position.

• Keeps up-to-date on developments in library service, resources and technology, and on broader issues that affect the practice of librarianship and proactively seeks to implement and integrate into existing or new practices.

• Participates in appropriate professional organizations.

• Engages in professional development, scholarly, and service activities under the terms of the Collective Agreement.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• Masters-level degree from an accredited program of library, or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program.

• Ability to build relationships and work collegially in a diverse, proactive, and team-oriented environment, in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.

• Demonstrated knowledge of UX practices that support the operations and strategic initiatives of libraries, including user-centred design principles, usability testing, information architecture development, data assessment and analysis, and digital accessibility compliance.

• Demonstrated knowledge of usability testing in a library context, including tools and methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, card sorting and other usability testing activities.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate stakeholders in the development process for new and existing technology-based services.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to consult and work with others, incorporate learned technical knowledge, and make independent decisions.

• Evidence of strong professional communication skills, including: written and verbal, in-person and digital, active listening, responding to constructive feedback.

PREFERRED

• Experience or knowledge related to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into overall professional practice.

• Ability to recognize, respect, and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds; takes initiative in learning about language and issues relating to equity and diversity.

• Experience working in an academic library.

• Familiarity with digital accessibility issues, solutions, guidelines, and standards.

• Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Familiarity with web user interface design and development.

• Knowledge of current and recent industry trends in library web services, UX, and digital accessibility.

• Interest in leadership as related to committee and project work.

• Supervisory experience.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY:

 

Appointment: This is a full-time confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of 1 June 2023. The successful candidate will hold an initial three-year appointment, normally followed by an ongoing confirmed appointment. In most cases confirmation-track appointments are reviewed following the second year of appointment, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant an ongoing confirmed appointment. 

 

The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies ).

Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of five years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.

 

Salary: Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, and will meet or exceed the minimum salaries outlined in the Collective Agreement. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies

 

Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources: https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups

 

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

 

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

 

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

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status, and indicates the candidate’s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above. One consolidated PDF is preferred.