Digital Scholarship Associate

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
  • 1+ years of experience with troubleshooting and using technical equipment (DSLR cameras, audio gear, 3D printers, laser cutters).
  • Strong initiative and adaptability to learn new technologies quickly.
  • Excellent written/oral communication skills for explaining technical concepts.
  • Interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse users and staff.
  • Proven leadership abilities in supervising and directing others.
  • Experience in a service-oriented environment, working with the public.

Responsibilities

  • Direct daily operations at the Digital Scholarship Commons and Innovation Studio.
  • Supervise and manage student assistants working for the library.
  • Develop policies and procedures for library circulation systems and digital scholarship spaces.
  • Maintain and manage digital scholarship equipment across both locations.
  • Participate in committees and process improvement initiatives within the library.
  • Provide user support and training on digital scholarship technologies and services.
  • Handle administrative duties including digital scholarship billing and policy enforcement.

Benefits

  • Full benefits package offered.
  • Opportunities for professional development.
  • Engagement in community-focused initiatives and outreach programs.
Full Job Description
JOB POSTING

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.
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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .

The IRD for this job is: 10-07-2026

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University Library Center for Digital Scholarship (http://digitalscholarship.ucsc.edu) is a growing program that provides student access to technology and experiential learning in a low-barrier environment. We foster student engagement with digital research in and out of the classroom and support faculty growth through pedagogy and research support.

The Center encompasses our programming across two physical spaces: The David Kirk Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) in McHenry Library and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio (DSI) in the Science & Engineering Library. This position is based on site in both the DSC and the DSI. A key part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophy in our work (https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/about-us/about) is making both of our spaces open and inviting to students of all backgrounds along with targeted outreach to support these goals. The successful candidate will play a key part in our efforts to create an inclusive program.

More information can be found at: https://digitalscholarship.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of the University Library Center for Digital Scholarship, the Digital Scholarship Associate is responsible for:
  • Directing and monitoring the daily operations at the Digital Scholarship Commons Service Desk (DSC) at McHenry Library
  • Directing and monitoring the daily operations at the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio (DSI)
  • at the Science & Engineering Library
  • Managing and supervising students that work for the Library Center for Digital Scholarship
  • Developing and implementing policies and procedures for use of library circulation systems
  • Developing and implementing policies and procedures for the DSC & DSI
  • Managing and maintaining equipment in both the DSC & DSI
  • Participating in library-wide and system-wide committees
  • Participating in section-wide cross-training and process improvement activities


APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $83,598.52 - $86,976.98 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:
  • Full-time, Fixed
  • Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
  • Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
  • Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: CX - Clerical & Allied Services

Job Code Classification: 004445 (LIBRARY PROFL 4 CX)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP EQUIPMENT SUPPORT
  • Maintain Library Management System records for Digital Scholarship equipment and keep up with best practices.
  • Work with Digital Scholarship librarians to manage the organization and ordering of equipment for the DSC and the DSI through CruzBuy and OneCard systems, including new equipment, replacement parts, pieces for equipment kits, and other operational needs.
  • Supervise the work of the Digital Scholarship Student Leads to maintain equipment and equipment records.
  • Oversee safe equipment use, safety procedures/training, and working with the library operations team and campus Environmental Health and Safety to ensure equipment and environment meet campus standards.
  • Troubleshoot and perform repairs to equipment, including researching potential solutions, communicating with vendors, and consulting with digital scholarship librarians as needed.
  • Maintain, update, and perform regular equipment inventory.
  • Assist with implementation of new technology as needed.
  • Serve as the Digital Scholarship point of contact for Library ITS in relation to DSC and DSI space needs, including lab software updates and lab and media viewing rooms equipment repairs.
  • Maintain and update website content related to equipment and spaces.


20% - STUDENT MANAGEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
  • Provide supervision to approximately 20 casual employees (student assistants) in both the David Kirk Digital Scholarship Commons and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio.
  • Support the development of student employees with varying levels of prior work and technical experience.
  • Manage student hiring process: Write job descriptions, recruitment justifications, post staff vacancies for recruitment, make hiring decisions or recommend student workers to be hired.
  • Train Digital Scholarship student workers on Alma, Springshare, and other software systems
  • Collaborate with Digital Scholarship Librarians to identify, schedule, and support training opportunities for Digital Scholarship related equipment for student workers.
  • Maintain a student manual for student worker related work in collaboration with Digital Scholarship staff and librarians.
  • Work with the Digital Scholarship team to maintain consistent student worker policies across both spaces, including performance expectations, monitoring performance, providing corrective action, and recommending employee selection, corrective action, and dismissals.
  • Ensure that student schedules for the DSC and DSI provide adequate coverage for library users. Coordinate student backup where available. When student coverage is not sufficient to meet desk coverage needs, work on the affected desk or coordinate desk closure as a last resort.


20% - DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP USER SERVICES SUPPORT
  • Serve as the Digital Scholarship lead on equipment checkout policy and collections best practices and implementation. Frequently collaborate with other library departments in support of equipment checkout such as Metadata Services and User Services & Resource Sharing.
  • Provide input on strategic directions and goals related to Digital Scholarship policy, collections, and circulation, working with the Director of the Library Center for Digital Scholarship and other library departments as required to identify and lead related initiatives.
  • Direct and monitor the daily operations of the Digital Scholarship Commons Service Desk at McHenry Library and the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio Service Desk at the Science & Engineering Library.
  • Inform patrons of library policies related to Digital Scholarship materials; teach patrons how to locate materials and how to look up digital scholarship equipment related materials; refer requests as appropriate.
  • Provide patron education and support for Digital Scholarship supported technology in the DSC and the DSI, such as audio equipment in the Audio Production Studio, video equipment in the Video Production Studio, and makerspace equipment in the Digital Scholarship Innovation Studio.
  • Assist patrons in identifying the appropriate Digital Scholarship equipment for their needs and direct unresolved issues as appropriate.


10% - PUBLIC SERVICE
  • Assist patrons in-person at multiple service desks and virtually through email and live chat.
  • Manage and resolve difficult patron interactions.
  • Assist in triage of Digital Scholarship email tickets
  • Check materials in and out, place holds, recalls, and searches; renew materials; assign barcodes to materials that have never been checked out; answer phones, transfer calls and take messages; accept materials for digital scholarship equipment related processing.
  • Maintain confidentiality as required by Library, University, and system-wide policy.
  • Execute emergency procedures as outlined in the Library Emergency Manual.


10% - ADMINISTRATIVE
  • Administer the Digital Scholarship billing/overdue and fine policies. Respond to Digital Scholarship billing appeals. Exercises independent judgment in waiving fines.
  • Act as Digital Scholarship liaison to User Services & Resource Sharing team and Alma/Primo team
  • Support the Director of the Library Center for Digital Scholarship with short- and long-term planning for the department.


10% - MISCELLANEOUS
  • Participate in Digital Scholarship department meetings.
  • Seek out and participate in recommended professional development opportunities.
  • Participate in unit, department, library, and systemwide initiatives. Assist other units as necessary and participate in ad-hoc special projects as assigned.
  • Support Digital Scholarship events, including event planning, setup/takedown of materials, and incorporating student help as appropriate.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  • At least 1 year demonstrated experience with troubleshooting, maintenance, and advanced use of one or more of the following equipment types: DSLR cameras, Audio mics/recorders, 3D printers, or Laser cutters.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and learn new technology and equipment to effectively support operations.
  • Written and oral communication skills with sufficient ability to explain complex, technical concepts to users from a variety of technical backgrounds using various communication methods (e.g. in person or online, synchronous or asynchronous).
  • Interpersonal skills sufficient to work collaboratively with library staff, student assistants, and users with diverse backgrounds including providing leadership to other library staff members
  • Demonstrated ability to give, receive, evaluate, and apply constructive feedback.
  • Experience leading the work of others including a demonstrated ability to monitor and direct the work of others.
  • Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative, team-based work environment.
  • Demonstrated experience working with the public in a service-oriented environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing work dynamics such as setting priorities with competing deadlines
  • Analytical skills sufficient to interpret numerical data to form reasonable conclusions.
  • Demonstrated ability working with multiple software systems for the purpose of connecting workflows, tracking materials, and communicating.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Library experience, including knowledge of circulation practices, policy, and software management tools such as Springshare and Alma.
  • Experience supervising, training, and developing student employees.
  • At least 1 year experience in a makerspace environment (such as community, academic, or personal) working with technical equipment (e.g. a laser cutter, 3D printer, or computer aided cutting machine).


SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  • Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
  • Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
  • The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
  • Ability to work a variable schedule.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
  • Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
  • Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.

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