Social and Behavioral Sciences Librarian

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Librarian. The role supports SBS departments, collaborates across library units, and advances information literacy, research, and scholarly output.

The position emphasizes liaison work, instruction, consultations, and collection strategies within a team-based model. It offers a hybrid schedule and opportunities for professional growth within academic engagement.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library/information science.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and diverse partners.
• Excellent oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to take initiative and complete projects.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of trends in academic libraries related to teaching and research in social sciences.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with SBS departments and serve as primary library contact for related programs.
• Lead workshops and course-related instruction in social sciences and information literacy.
• Provide research consultations and develop library guides and learning objects.
• Collaborate with cross-library teams to plan teaching, outreach and research support.
• Participate in assessment activities to demonstrate impact.
• Represent the library in professional contexts and participate in committees.

Skills

Collaborative skills

Oral & written communication

Independent work

Education

MLS (ALA-accredited)

Tools

LibGuides

LMS

Job description

Title: Social and Behavioral Sciences Librarian

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Other Academic Units

Department: Lib - Res & Learning Services

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: full time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

As liaison to multiple departments in UMass Amherst’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Librarian actively engages with faculty, staff and students in aligning library resources with their needs and cultivates relationships that support the university’s research, teaching, and learning goals. The SBS Librarian will be part of an evolving team-based liaison model, working closely with librarians supporting business, data services, innovation and entrepreneurship, Native American and Indigenous studies, and regional planning, among other areas. The SBS Librarian reports to the Head of Academic Engagement and delivers library instruction, provides research consultations, contributes to collection strategies, supports the dissemination of new scholarly work, and facilitates strategic, cross-disciplinary partnerships.

Essential Functions

• Liaise with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and serve as the Libraries’ primary contact for the Departments of Anthropology, Legal Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, and related programs and centers.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with campus faculty, staff, and students to develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships.
• Lead workshops and course-related instruction in the social sciences, including topics in information literacy, information seeking, ethical use of information, and Artificial Intelligence.
• Create library guides, web pages, and learning objects, and collaborate with faculty on course assignments and materials as appropriate.
• Provide advanced consultations to library users, in-person, synchronously, and asynchronously, supporting them throughout the research cycle.
• Partner with colleagues across the libraries, including liaison teams and functional teams (e.g., evidence synthesis), to plan and deliver teaching, outreach, and research support initiatives that advance institutional goals.
• Initiate or participate in assessment activities, such as collecting, reporting, maintaining, interpreting, analyzing, and using data, to improve services and demonstrate impact.
• Contribute to the Libraries and the University through committee service.
• Advance the field of librarianship and/or social science disciplines through professional service, publications, presentations, or other forms of research or scholarly activities.
• Participate in outreach events and represent the library in professional contexts
• Pursue ongoing professional development that supports library and institutional objectives.

Other Functions

Perform other duties and contribute to special projects as assigned, with occasional evening or weekend hours required.

Minimum Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library/information science.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and build relationships with diverse partners, such as campus units and community organizations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and complete projects.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines using organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of current trends or practices in academic libraries related to teaching, learning, and research in the social sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience providing relevant research services in an academic and/or legal setting.
• Experience delivering library instruction through synchronous and asynchronous modes
• Research consultation experience with faculty, staff, and student patrons.
• Experience developing digital learning objects and online instructional materials (e.g., LibGuides, LMS modules, video tutorials, infographics).
• Capacity to provide advanced subject research assistance and to support data literacy, data management, and digital scholarship needs.

Additional Details

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

The regular working schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, day hours.

The incumbent of the position is expected to work on a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Massachusetts Society of Professors, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Massachusetts Society of Professors collective bargaining agreement.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Salary Information

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $63,250 and $90,500. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Please Note

The low-end of the pay range in all faculty/librarian searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.

The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty/librarian experience.