Digital Scholarship Associate

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-07-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University Library Center for Digital Scholarship (http://digitalscholarship.ucsc.edu) is a growing program that provides student access to technology and experiential learning in a low-barrier environment. We foster student engagement with digital research in and out of the classroom and support faculty growth through pedagogy and research support.

The Center encompasses our programming across two physical spaces: The David Kirk Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) in McHenry Library and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio (DSI) in the Science & Engineering Library. This position is based on site in both the DSC and the DSI. A key part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophy in our work (https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/about-us/about) is making both of our spaces open and inviting to students of all backgrounds along with targeted outreach to support these goals. The successful candidate will play a key part in our efforts to create an inclusive program.

More information can be found at: https://digitalscholarship.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of the University Library Center for Digital Scholarship, the Digital Scholarship Associate is responsible for:

• Directing and monitoring the daily operations at the Digital Scholarship Commons Service Desk (DSC) at McHenry Library
• Directing and monitoring the daily operations at the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio (DSI)
• at the Science & Engineering Library
• Managing and supervising students that work for the Library Center for Digital Scholarship
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures for use of library circulation systems
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures for the DSC & DSI
• Managing and maintaining equipment in both the DSC & DSI
• Participating in library-wide and system-wide committees
• Participating in section-wide cross-training and process improvement activities

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $83,598.52 - $86,976.98 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: CX - Clerical & Allied Services

Job Code Classification: 004445 (LIBRARY PROFL 4 CX)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

• Maintain Library Management System records for Digital Scholarship equipment and keep up with best practices.
• Work with Digital Scholarship librarians to manage the organization and ordering of equipment for the DSC and the DSI through CruzBuy and OneCard systems, including new equipment, replacement parts, pieces for equipment kits, and other operational needs.
• Supervise the work of the Digital Scholarship Student Leads to maintain equipment and equipment records.
• Oversee safe equipment use, safety procedures/training, and working with the library operations team and campus Environmental Health and Safety to ensure equipment and environment meet campus standards.
• Troubleshoot and perform repairs to equipment, including researching potential solutions, communicating with vendors, and consulting with digital scholarship librarians as needed.
• Maintain, update, and perform regular equipment inventory.
• Assist with implementation of new technology as needed.
• Serve as the Digital Scholarship point of contact for Library ITS in relation to DSC and DSI space needs, including lab software updates and lab and media viewing rooms equipment repairs.
• Maintain and update website content related to equipment and spaces.

20% - STUDENT MANAGEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

• Provide supervision to approximately 20 casual employees (student assistants) in both the David Kirk Digital Scholarship Commons and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio.
• Support the development of student employees with varying levels of prior work and technical experience.
• Manage student hiring process: Write job descriptions, recruitment justifications, post staff vacancies for recruitment, make hiring decisions or recommend student workers to be hired.
• Train Digital Scholarship student workers on Alma, Springshare, and other software systems
• Collaborate with Digital Scholarship Librarians to identify, schedule, and support training opportunities for Digital Scholarship related equipment for student workers.
• Maintain a student manual for student worker related work in collaboration with Digital Scholarship staff and librarians.
• Work with the Digital Scholarship team to maintain consistent student worker policies across both spaces, including performance expectations, monitoring performance, providing corrective action, and recommending employee selection, corrective action, and dismissals.
• Ensure that student schedules for the DSC and DSI provide adequate coverage for library users. Coordinate student backup where available. When student coverage is not sufficient to meet desk coverage needs, work on the affected desk or coordinate desk closure as a last resort.

20% - DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP USER SERVICES SUPPORT

• Serve as the Digital Scholarship lead on equipment checkout policy and collections best practices and implementation. Frequently collaborate with other library departments in support of equipment checkout such as Metadata Services and User Services & Resource Sharing.
• Provide input on strategic directions and goals related to Digital Scholarship policy, collections, and circulation, working with the Director of the Library Center for Digital Scholarship and other library departments as required to identify and lead related initiatives.
• Direct and monitor the daily operations of the Digital Scholarship Commons Service Desk at McHenry Library and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio Service Desk at the Science & Engineering Library.
• Inform patrons of library policies related to Digital Scholarship materials; teach patrons how to locate materials and how to look up digital scholarship equipment related materials; refer requests as appropriate.
• Provide patron education and support for Digital Scholarship supported technology in the DSC and the DSI, such as audio equipment in the Audio Production Studio, video equipment in the Video Production Studio, and makerspace equipment in the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio.
• Assist patrons in identifying the appropriate Digital Scholarship equipment for their needs and direct unresolved issues as appropriate.

10% - PUBLIC SERVICE

• Assist patrons in-person at multiple service desks and virtually through email and live chat.
• Manage and resolve difficult patron interactions.
• Assist in triage of Digital Scholarship email tickets
• Check materials in and out, place holds, recalls, and searches; renew materials; assign barcodes to materials that have never been checked out; answer phones, transfer calls and take messages; accept materials for digital scholarship equipment related processing.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by Library, University, and system-wide policy.
• Execute emergency procedures as outlined in the Library Emergency Manual.

10% - ADMINISTRATIVE

• Administer the Digital Scholarship billing/overdue and fine policies. Respond to Digital Scholarship billing appeals. Exercises independent judgment in waiving fines.
• Act as Digital Scholarship liaison to User Services & Resource Sharing team and Alma/Primo team
• Support the Director of the Library Center for Digital Scholarship with short- and long-term planning for the department.

10% - MISCELLANEOUS

• Participate in Digital Scholarship department meetings.
• Seek out and participate in recommended professional development opportunities.
• Participate in unit, department, library, and systemwide initiatives. Assist other units as necessary and participate in ad-hoc special projects as assigned.
• Support Digital Scholarship events, including event planning, setup/takedown of materials, and incorporating student help as appropriate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• At least 1 year demonstrated experience with troubleshooting, maintenance, and advanced use of one or more of the following equipment types: DSLR cameras, Audio mics/recorders, 3D printers, or Laser cutters.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and learn new technology and equipment to effectively support operations.
• Written and oral communication skills with sufficient ability to explain complex, technical concepts to users from a variety of technical backgrounds using various communication methods (e.g. in person or online, synchronous or asynchronous).
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to work collaboratively with library staff, student assistants, and users with diverse backgrounds including providing leadership to other library staff members
• Demonstrated ability to give, receive, evaluate, and apply constructive feedback.
• Experience leading the work of others including a demonstrated ability to monitor and direct the work of others.
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative, team-based work environment.
• Demonstrated experience working with the public in a service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing work dynamics such as setting priorities with competing deadlines
• Analytical skills sufficient to interpret numerical data to form reasonable conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability working with multiple software systems for the purpose of connecting workflows, tracking materials, and communicating.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Library experience, including knowledge of circulation practices, policy, and software management tools such as Springshare and Alma.
• Experience supervising, training, and developing student employees.
• At least 1 year experience in a makerspace environment (such as community, academic, or personal) working with technical equipment (e.g. a laser cutter, 3D printer, or computer aided cutting machine).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.