About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

As Stacks Management Assistant, coordinate and supervise the retrieval and routing of patron requested materials from the W.E.B. DuBois Library’s stacks collections and the receipt, sorting, re-shelving, and distribution of returned and newly acquired materials to appropriate locations. Supervise student workers in collaboration with other members of the Stacks Management and Circulation staff. Provide public service by assisting patrons at Library public service points as needed.

Essential Functions

• Supervise and coordinate the search and retrieval of requested items from the library stacks, including holds, missing and claims returned items. Update library system records to ensure accuracy in status of requested items. Assist with processing of item requests for UMass and Five College users in collaboration with the Access Services Circulation and Fulfillment Supervisor as needed.
• Ensure that Library collections are maintained in good order. Identify areas where shelf reading, shifting, and pulling is needed for ease of use and re-shelving. Collaborate with coworkers to plan for projects and execute tasks/projects related to shifting, weeding, pulling and inventory scanning.
• Process outgoing and incoming materials requested through the Five College Library Services Platform. Work in collaboration with the Interlibrary Loan staff on interlibrary loan, document delivery, and Commonwealth Catalog fulfillment workflows.
• Interview, schedule, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff assistants as directed. Coordinate and assign student staff tasks throughout their work shifts in collaboration with other Access Services student supervisors. Monitor student timekeeping system to make sure that student time reported is complete and accurate.
• Coordinate gathering and processing of un-shelved and returned materials in public areas of the libraries and elsewhere on campus as needed. Perform basic repairs to books as needed, identify materials that may require more complex repairs, and update item status In Library system accordingly. Operate Library van to load and deliver library materials returned to other locations on campus.
• Provide borrowing and lending assistance and general information to library users providing on-call and back-up support to service point staff at the DuBois Learning Commons service point as needed. Respond to inquiries in person, by phone, and online.  Consult with and refer questions as appropriate to other Library departments and staff.
• Actively follow information shared through various library and university communication channels. Contribute to unit, department, and library-wide information sharing as appropriate; exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Participate in the Libraries’ assessment program by maintaining and recording usage statistics for monthly reports as needed.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively in support of the Libraries’ values to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness throughout the libraries and the campus.
• Attend professional development activities and training as assigned or required to meet departmental goals and objectives.
• Serve on internal library committees and working groups as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High school diploma; work experience in library services and/or in an automated inventory & logistics or equivalent work setting.
• One (1) year of experience supervising students, interns, or permanent staff involving training, oversight, organization and assignment of work.
• One (1) year of customer service experience in a position requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong service orientation to overcome obstacles and provide creative solutions.
• Current valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Associate or four-year college degree preferred.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Tue-Thu; 9am – 5pm, Fri; 11am – 7pm and Sat; 9:30am – 5:30pm during the academic semester.
• Depending on departmental needs, this may change to Mon-Thu; 9am – 5pm and Fri; 11am - 7pm (with appropriate advanced notice).

Salary Information

USA/MTA Grade 12.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.