Director of the Learning Commons

New River Community College; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A community college in California is seeking a Director of the Learning Commons to lead the integration of library and academic support services. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in higher education and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. Responsibilities include managing operations, supervising staff, and developing innovative solutions to enhance student success. A Master's degree is required.

Benefits

Paid holidays

Medical premium coverage

Defined-benefit retirement plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of leadership experience in a related administrative role.
• Experience in higher education and community college settings.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of the Learning Commons.
• Provide leadership for library operations and academic support services.
• Supervise and develop faculty and staff.
• Contribute to curriculum development and student success initiatives.
• Create a dynamic Learning Commons environment.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Teamwork

Cultural competence

Education

Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution

Job description

Overview

Director of the Learning Commons

Campus: Skyline College

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Schedule: 35

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

Reporting to the Dean of Academic Support and Learning Technologies, the Director of the Learning Commons has primary responsibility to fulfill the college's mission by serving our diverse communities through engagement, collaboration, partnerships, innovation, and leadership to integrate library, learning center, and other academic support services. The Director provides vision, leadership, and management in developing innovative services and integration of technology in library, tutoring, supplemental instruction, and related student success functions. Public contact is extensive and involves staff, faculty, and administrators at all levels within the college. The Director of the Learning Commons supervises, assesses, trains, and develops faculty and staff so that they can provide exemplary service that focuses on student success.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Direct all aspects of the Learning Commons with a strong commitment to public service, customer satisfaction, and quality programming for students, faculty, staff, and community patrons
2. Provide leadership for all aspects of library operations, including acquisitions, reference, circulation, collection development, technical services, outreach, and programming
3. Coordinate and integrate academic support services with leadership from other functional areas, such as tutoring, testing, supplemental instruction, and professional development
4. Contribute to curriculum development, student success, and retention initiatives
5. Create a dynamic and innovative Learning Commons environment that meets the needs of students based on current research, best practices, and user assessments, assuring that services are provided in multiple formats and locations
6. Collaborate with students and academic partners to meet the needs of all types of learners in both face-to-face and online courses
7. Direct and supervise all aspects of staffing, including developing, scheduling, training, and evaluating Learning Commons employees
8. Make recommendations for innovations and improvement based on the review and tracking of system and process data, and keeping informed on advancements and changes in the fields of student learning, library, academic support, and academic technology
9. Provide leadership for the interpretation of college policies and establish and administer Learning Commons procedures
10. Develop, administer, and advocate for the Learning Commons budget, programs, and grant proposals when applicable
11. Serves as key emergency prevention, preparedness, and response personnel as assigned
12. Performs other duties as assigned

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

1. Best practices in student success strategies and learning-related support services

Skills and Abilities:

1. Foster a collegial work environment that encourages change and innovation
2. Interact effectively and work productively, collegially, cooperatively, and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and groups in a complex and rapidly changing environment
3. View issues from a college and campus-wide perspective, foster teamwork, and stimulate cross-functional collaboration
4. Customer service and proven ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships
5. Verbal and written communication, and presentation skills
6. Successful supervisory, management, and leadership experience with a demonstrated commitment to mentoring, training, and staff development
7. Plan and coordinate all aspects of library and/or learning center operations
8. Progressive administrative experience within a library, learning commons, or academic support center; minimum of three years of experience working in higher education
9. Engage in applying emerging and academic technologies that support the learning process in the classroom and online, and those that support process improvement and automation of services, and relevant experience
10. Communicate respectfully, sensitively, and effectively with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds

Job Requirements

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution OR the equivalent
• Two years of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff

Preferred

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution in library science or a discipline reasonably related to the position
• Experience in a Community college library and/or learning center
• Knowledge of specific programs and related college services available to the campus community, students, and other potential participants
• Experience in grant writing
• Knowledge of library operations
• Experience with Ex Libris Alma
• Knowledge of specific Learning Commons programs and related services

Additional Information

Safety: to promote a safe working and learning environment employees must report any unsafe working conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incident to their supervisor.

• Position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• Position is a Responsible Employee under the Equity in Education Act and Title IX

Work Demands

The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Environmental: typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available.

• Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online
• Comprehend speech at normal levels
• Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment
• Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Frequent bending at the waist
• Frequent travel on and off-sites of the District and San Mateo County
• Physical presence at on-site locations
• Lifting and carrying objects up to 20 pounds
• Communicate and interact with others; compose oral and written communications and reports
• Observe and interpret people and situations
• Learn and apply new information or skills
• Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks
• Use math/mathematical reasoning
• Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Academic employees participate in the State Teachers' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California (no contributions to Social Security). Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement

San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2024 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2021-2023) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2024 Annual Security Report outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report is available on the Public Safety website and can be obtained by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or on all three campuses. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.

Closes: To apply, visit the job posting details (no link provided in this refined version).