Student Spaces Specialist

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University’s Fenwick Library seeks a Student Spaces Specialist to support circulation and user services, manage study spaces, and lead Access Services in the absence of supervisors. The role emphasizes customer service, ability to handle high-volume tasks, and collaboration across Library divisions.

This hybrid position requires a high school diploma, library systems experience (Alma, databases like EBSCO/JSTOR/ProQuest), and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with library systems and research databases preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with staff, students and the public.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service at the Fenwick Library service desk, including circulation and basic reference support.
• Maintain knowledge of circulation policies to assist patrons effectively.
• Explain and enforce library guidelines and procedures for accurate service.
• Lead library facilities operations when supervisors are unavailable, including opening/closing and weekend work.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Library experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Alma Library System

EBSCO/JSTOR/ProQuest

Job description

Department:

Library

Classification:

Library Specialist 2

Job Category:

Classified Staff

Job Type:

Full-Time

Work Schedule:

Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk);non-traditional work schedule of 9:45 am - 6:15 pm,Tuesday-Saturday; supports the closing of the Fenwick Library onFriday evenings; opens/closes the library on Saturdays.

Location:

Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:

Hybrid Eligible, up to 1 telework day

Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band:

04

Salary:

Anticipated hiring range for this position is from $50,000 -$55,000

George Mason University provides salary ranges representing a good-faith estimate of the compensation the university reasonably expects to offer for this position. The salary for a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as — but not limited to — qualifications of the individual; internal equity; and alignment with the university's approved pay structures.

At George Mason University, base salary is one component of a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive health and wellness benefits, retirement contributions, generous leave, tuition benefits for employees, and the opportunity to contribute to the mission of Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university.

Criminal Background Check:

Yes

About the Department:

The University Libraries foster innovation, creativity, andimagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarshipand information, providing expert consultation in the researchprocess, and actively teaching the effective and critical use ofinformation. The Access & Resource Management (ARM) divisionworks across the libraries to support the University’s strategicgoals and plan by acquiring, managing, and providing access toscholarly resources that enhance curricular and research needs. Thedivision manages the lifecycle of the University Libraries’scholarly collection from budget development to point of orderingto provision of access and all associated maintenance andassessment. The division is comprised of three departments:Collection Management, Discovery Services, and AccessServices.

Within ARM, Access Services is responsible for the Fairfax Campus’smain library service point – the Fenwick Library Information Desk –where students and faculty receive assistance with their myriadinformation and resource needs. The department manages coursereserves, circulation, consortium loan services, student spaces androoms, and point-of-service information needs. Access Servicescollaborates internally and externally on building maintenance andsecurity issues.

About the Position:

The Student Spaces Specialist supports the circulation and userservices functions of the information desk and manages studentspaces and the related booking system. The position serves as a departmental lead within Access Services regarding Fenwick libraryfacilities issues. Participates in the development, recommendation,implementation and administration of Access Services policies,procedures, and processes. This position participates in internaland external collaboration on security issues and on committeesand/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop bestpractices, and advance the work of the Libraries.

User Services & Engagement

• Provides customer service at the Fenwick Library service deskon the Fairfax campus, including circulation services and basicreference service;
• Maintains knowledge of circulation operations, policies andprocedures in order to provide courteous service assistance topatrons;
• Explains and enforces library and departmental guidelines,policies, and procedures to provide accurate and satisfactoryservice and/or information to patrons;
• Responds to and resolves routine and progressively complexinquiries regarding library services, rules, regulations, policies,and procedures;
• Uses discretion and independent judgment to help resolve issuesand provide exceptional service; and
• Serves as the lead in charge of library facilities and serviceswhen staff in library administration and/or supervisor are notavailable, and opens or closes Fenwick Library and/or work weekendsas assigned.

Student Spaces Management

• Manages study room bookings and student spaces in FenwickLibrary, including managing the reservation system for thedepartment;
• Interacts with library patrons to answer questions, resolvecomplaints, etc.;
• Reports problems with software or equipment to appropriateparties (DSS, physical plant, Admin coordinator, etc.);
• Tracks and maintains headcount data on a weekly basis to ensureall information regarding student space usage;
• Works with the User Services and Experience Coordinator andFacilities Manager to identify and adjust student spaces for noiselevels and furniture needs;
• In conjunction with supervisors, determines best practices toensure room access equitability (cancellations, exceptions, policychanges, etc.);
• Manages Fenwick Library’s Lost & Found: weekly, transfersLost & Found items from the Information Desk to Access Servicesstorage area, boxes previous week’s items and sends to CampusPolice; and
• Maintains familiarity with Campus Police’s policies regardinglost items and sends items in adherence with their policies.

Facilities Management Support

• Serves as the Access Services point of contact for facilitiesmanagement, supporting facilities-related needs and issues asneeded in coordination with Access Services managers and theFacilities and Operations Manager;
• Coordinates student workers for facilities management-relatedtasks and projects; and
• Reports building, facilities-related, or security issues usinglibrary and university processes and systems to engage Facilitiesor other appropriate departments as needed.

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Customer service experience;
• Library work experience;
• Experience with library systems (such as Alma) and researchresources (such as EBSCO, JSTOR, ProQuest, etc.);
• Experienced remaining calm and arrive at fair and equitablesolutions in a customer service environment;
• Experience collaborating within and outside of department toachieve common goals;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competingpriorities for self and others;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills forinteracting with library staff, faculty, students and members ofthe public;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, production, and service-oriented environment; and
• Able to skillfully navigate sensitive or challengingconversations with professionalism and diplomacy, ensuringalignment and mutual understanding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Academic library experience;
• Knowledge of facilities-related issues;
• Knowledge of student spaces coordination and management;
• Ability to utilize and navigate a room reservation system;
• Ability to work with library staff and patrons to addressfurniture and noise issues with student study rooms and spaces;and
• Ability to train others.

Posting Open Date:

October 30, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

November 13, 2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foret employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/