Student Spaces Specialist

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

Job summary

George Mason University is seeking a Student Spaces Specialist in Fairfax, VA. The role supports circulation and user services at the Fenwick Library information desk and manages student spaces and the booking system.

It acts as a department lead on Fenwick library facilities issues and participates in policy development for Access Services. The position requires library experience, strong customer service, and the ability to work with staff, students, and the public.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Customer service experience.
• Library work experience.
• Experience with library systems such as Alma and research databases like EBSCO, JSTOR, ProQuest.
• Ability to stay calm and provide fair, equitable solutions in service environments.
• Strong collaboration with internal and external teams to achieve goals.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service at the Fenwick Library service desk, including circulation and basic reference service.
• Maintain knowledge of circulation operations, policies and procedures to assist patrons.
• Explain and enforce library guidelines, policies, and procedures to provide accurate service.
• Respond to and resolve routine and complex inquiries about library services and policies.
• Lead in charge of library facilities and services when supervisors are unavailable; open/close Fenwick Library and work weekends as assigned.
• Manage study room bookings and student spaces, including the reservation system.
• Interact with patrons to answer questions and resolve complaints; report software or equipment problems.
• Track weekly headcount data for student space usage.
• Coordinate with Facilities Manager to adjust spaces for noise and furniture needs.
• Ensure equitable room access and update policies as needed.
• Manage Fenwick Library's Lost & Found and coordinate with Campus Police.
• Maintain familiarity with Campus Police policies.
• Coordinate with facilities management and supervise student workers.
• Report building, facilities-related, or security issues to appropriate departments.

Skills

Customer service

Library work experience

Communication skills

Team player

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Alma

EBSCO

JSTOR

ProQuest

Job description

Student Spaces Specialist

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 on Friday 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.

• 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, and imagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarship and information, providing expert consultation in the research process, and actively teaching the effective and critical use of information. The Access & Resource Management (ARM) division works across the libraries to support the University's strategic goals and plan by acquiring, managing, and providing access to scholarly resources that enhance curricular and research needs. The division manages the lifecycle of the University Libraries' scholarly collection from budget development to point of ordering to provision of access and all associated maintenance and assessment. The division is comprised of three departments: Collection Management, Discovery Services, and Access Services.

Within ARM, Access Services is responsible for the Fairfax Campus's main library service point - the Fenwick Library Information Desk - where students and faculty receive assistance with their myriad information and resource needs. The department manages course reserves, circulation, consortium loan services, student spaces and rooms, and point-of-service information needs. Access Services collaborates internally and externally on building maintenance and security issues.

About the Position

The Student Spaces Specialist supports the circulation and user services functions of the information desk and manages student spaces and the related booking system. The position serves as a departmental lead within Access Services regarding Fenwick library facilities issues. Participates in the development, recommendation, implementation and administration of Access Services policies, procedures, and processes. This position participates in internal and external collaboration on security issues and on committees and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and advance the work of the Libraries.

User Services & Engagement

• Provides customer service at the Fenwick Library service desk on the Fairfax campus, including circulation services and basic reference service;
• Maintains knowledge of circulation operations, policies and procedures in order to provide courteous service assistance to patrons;
• Explains and enforces library and departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures to provide accurate and satisfactory service and/or information to patrons;
• Responds to and resolves routine and progressively complex inquiries regarding library services, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Uses discretion and independent judgment to help resolve issues and provide exceptional service; and
• Serves as the lead in charge of library facilities and services when staff in library administration and/or supervisor are not available, and opens or closes Fenwick Library and/or work weekends as assigned.

Student Spaces Management

• Manages study room bookings and student spaces in Fenwick Library, including managing the reservation system for the department;
• Interacts with library patrons to answer questions, resolve complaints, etc.;
• Reports problems with software or equipment to appropriate parties (DSS, physical plant, Admin coordinator, etc.);
• Tracks and maintains headcount data on a weekly basis to ensure all information regarding student space usage;
• Works with the User Services and Experience Coordinator and Facilities Manager to identify and adjust student spaces for noise levels and furniture needs;
• In conjunction with supervisors, determines best practices to ensure room access equitability (cancellations, exceptions, policy changes, etc.);
• Manages Fenwick Library's Lost & Found: weekly, transfers Lost & Found items from the Information Desk to Access Services storage area, boxes previous week's items and sends to Campus Police; and
• Maintains familiarity with Campus Police's policies regarding lost items and sends items in adherence with their policies.

Facilities Management Support

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

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Customer service experience;
• Library work experience;
• Experience with library systems (such as Alma) and research resources (such as EBSCO, JSTOR, ProQuest, etc.);
• Experienced remaining calm and arrive at fair and equitable solutions in a customer service environment;
• Experience collaborating within and outside of department to achieve common goals;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities for self and others;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with library staff, faculty, students and members of the 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 challenging conversations with professionalism and diplomacy, ensuring alignment 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 address furniture and noise issues with student study rooms and spaces; and
• Ability to train others.