Learning Technologies Specialist

Harvard Library has come together to develop university-wide policies for collections and user services in support of research, teaching, and learning.  The Harvard Library is building on its leadership position established through its extraordinary collections, to grow in new ways which revolutionize the engagement of library staff in research, teaching, and learning. 
 
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), the largest division of Harvard University, is dedicated to being at the forefront of teaching and learning and fostering cutting edge research and discovery. The FAS Libraries constitute the largest sector of the Harvard Library, including 11 million of the combined 20 million volume holdings of the full Harvard Library system. FAS librarians support teaching and learning for Harvard College’s 6700 undergraduate students and 4000 graduate students.
 
The Learning Technology Specialist (LTS) supports FAS librarians with instructional design, educational technology integration and pedagogical innovation. The LTS provides training workshops, consultations and personalized assistance to the 18 librarians and library staff in the Services for Academic Programs Department as well as librarians throughout the FAS Libraries.

The LTS advances the culture of teaching and learning for professional development, curricular enhancement, and academic support. The LTS understands effective library instruction as a critical practice, driven by inquiry, experimentation, reflection, and collaboration. The LTS promotes pedagogy that is inclusive, learner- centered, and research-based. The LTS supports the purposeful use of new media and emerging technologies in the physical classroom and in online spaces, including Canvas. The LTS assists in developing library documentation and support materials for faculty and students.
 
The LTS participates actively in the intellectual life and administrative activities of the Harvard Library, serving on committees, working groups, and other activities promoting the President’s vision of “One University.” The LTS may supervise fulltime staff, graduate student interns and undergraduate student workers. The LTS will collaborate with campus entities that support faculty and students including Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT)’s Academic Technology Group (ATG), the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT) and the Teaching and Learning Consortium (TLC).

• MLIS or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited program, or Master’s degree in Educational Technology or Instructional Design
• At least 5 years of work experience relevant to the position

• Ability to select, implement and evaluate educational technology tools and the ability to teach others to use these tools
• Demonstrated familiarity with current issues of pedagogy and the ability to convey these complex issues to a diverse audience
• Strong collaboration and team-working skills
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Ability to work in a matrix environment
• Strong teaching skills, especially to adult learners
• Strong public service orientation, with library or customer service experience
• Exceptional communication skills
• A commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population

 
Preferred Skills:       

• Experience with Canvas and/or other popular courseware systems
• Experience in research, data presentation tools, 3D printing, graphic design and new media
• Experience supervising staff and/or graduate students
• Prior experience with coaching / training librarians and graduate students preferred
• Demonstrated experience showing attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize and work independently
• Ability to learn new technological tools and techniques continuously