Library Engagement Lead for Student Success

hcu; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Christian University seeks an Assistant Director of Library Engagement & Student Success to serve as the Library Director’s primary administrative partner and a public-facing leader dedicated to fostering a vibrant, user-centered academic community. The role proactively develops people-focused programs to enhance student research confidence and connection to library services.

As a relational leader, this position oversees Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and the SearchWell triaged reference

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• Experience providing public services and/or reference in an academic or research library.
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring staff or student workers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a clear commitment to developing user- focused service.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, set priorities, and follow through on projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Library Director's associate, helping plan and implement library priorities, and providing operational leadership when the Director is unavailable.
• Share responsibility for planning, assessment, and budgeting for assigned areas (e.g., public services, student worker lines, selected services) in a small library environment.
• Lead public services, including the SearchWell triaged reference program and main service desk, to ensure welcoming, high-quality support for students and faculty.
• Oversee Interlibrary Loan and related resource sharing activities, including workflows and documentation.
• Develop and assess public service initiatives (especially SearchWell) that support student success and research confidence, using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Supervise and coach graduate student assistants (GSAs) and student workers who provide basic reference and front desk services in conjunction with the graduate student assistant in charge of student worker training and the Circulation Desk Manager.
• In partnership with GSAs, design and deliver training so student workers learn reference interviewing skills and understand when and how to elevate questions.
• Stay current with developments in generative AI and related research tools, model effective and ethical AI use in research workflows, and train higher level student workers to use AI appropriately in the SearchWell triage environment (e.g., brainstorming keywords, refining questions, evaluating AI output) to better support students at the front desk.
• Offer professional development to faculty and students.
• Observe and monitor student workers on the desk to ensure they are applying SearchWell techniques and referral practices appropriately and provide ongoing feedback.
• Develop student workers as ambassadors for the library, including preparing them to lead basic workshops and to represent the library in their own classes and organizations.

Skills

Public service leadership

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Education

ALA-accredited Master’s in Library and Information Science

Job description

Houston Christian University seeks an Assistant Director of Library Engagement & Student Success to serve as the Library Director’s primary administrative partner and a public-facing leader dedicated to fostering a vibrant, user-centered academic community. The role proactively develops people-focused programs to enhance student research confidence and connection to library services.

As a relational leader, this position oversees Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and the SearchWell triaged reference