Business Beat for May 2011

Basic Sciences and Bioinformatics Librarian, New York

This job posting came through my Twitter alert for librarian and job. It would be suitable for an entry-level applicant provided that they had some teaching experience and knowledge of the sciences.

Basic Sciences and Bioinformatics Librarian, New York

Description:
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Levy Library is seeking candidates for a Basic Sciences and Bioinformatics Librarian. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated librarian to further the development of our innovative services supporting a growing, dynamic research institution.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and provide outreach and instruction to support the biomedical information needs of the Mount Sinai research community and the curriculum of the Graduate School of Biological Sciences.
• Teach information retrieval, current awareness and information management classes using bibliographic and bioinformatics resources for research and clinical faculty, post-doctoral fellows, students, alumni, and other library users, and conduct other classes and presentations as needed.
• Provide individual and group reference services involving instruction in databases and bioinformatics tools, search strategy formulation, and effective use of information resources.
• Collaborate with faculty and colleagues in developing and maintaining print and online instructional tools and guides.
• Collaborate with faculty to support the institution’s translational and basic research initiatives.
• Assist in evaluating bioscience information resources for library licensing.
• Serve on institution-wide and library committees as appropriate.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• MLS from an ALA-accredited program and/or advanced degree in biological sciences;
• Demonstrated knowledge of biomedical sciences research;
• Demonstrated aptitude for teaching;
• Knowledge of the information needs of biomedical researchers;
• Familiarity with the scholarly communication and research processes in the biomedical sciences;
• Experience in the use of molecular biology/genetics databases such as those from the NCBI;
• Proficient written and spoken communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Strong public service orientation;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.

PREFERRED:

• Experience using biomedical resources such as MEDLINE, Current Protocols, Web of Science and Scopus;
• Experience with bibliographic management software such as EndNote and RefWorks;
• Experience in outreach and/or marketing;
• Experience in Web page creation and design and the design, integration, and assessment of Web 2.0 technologies such as wikis, blogs and social networking platforms.

The Levy Library is a progressive, technology-intensive academic health sciences library that includes the Medical Center Archives, computer-based education design and support, and a computing help desk. For a description of Levy Library’s programs and services, see: http://library.mssm.edu

Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM), located in New York City, is internationally recognized for ground-breaking clinical and basic-science research. In 2009, MSSM was selected for a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science (CSTA) Award, thus joining nationwide federally supported efforts in translational research and education. It confers degrees of MD, PhD, MD/PhD, MSc and MPH. The School and the Mount Sinai Hospital, a tertiary-care teaching facility, comprise the Mount Sinai Medical Center. For a description of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, see: http://www.mssm.edu/

TO APPLY:
Email cover letter and detailed resume to information on original posting

Salary Tutor by Jim Hopkinson

This book is forthcoming and will be available for purchase in August 2011. I would like to give a thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for making this galley available.

Learning how to negotiate—for anything, not just salary—is a vital skill, and you will have to use your persuasion and negotiation skills many times in your career.* Negotiating a salary, even your very first salary, is possible and the Salary Tutor explains how to do it in simple, clear, encouraging language. Heck, the author even throws in a flowchart.

I thought the real strength of this book was the preparation of the Industry Research of Salaries (IRS) document, which includes the lowest salary you would accept, the industry standard and the top of the range for the position. The author also includes sources for research (PayScale.com, Glassdoor, Salary.com), though I would also include some of the salary tools from vertical search engines and industry specific salary surveys, if you have access to them, to your research. The author recommends including this document in your portfolio, so it is prepared for interviewers should the issue come up, and to make several different versions of this document. There is nothing like research and preparation for defending your position in a negotiation, so this is not a step to be skipped. Even if you are never allowed to negotiate your salary—which can happen in a union, non-profit or government work environment—it cannot hurt to know if you are making what the position deserves, especially if additional duties are added to your position at a later date.

The author also has some solid advice for freelancers and creative professionals who need to negotiate each and every contract or service for a client, which is not found in many salary negotiation books. So the structure of the book follows: author’s salary memoir, how to negotiate for the first time, negotiating a raise or promotion and negotiating for freelancers. Considering how short the book was, meaning it could be read in an evening, I was impressed with how comprehensive the book was overall.

Since negotiation is important part of career management, I would strongly recommend this book as a simple primer on negotiation. There will be other resources that can supplement the information in this book, but I think it is one of the best introductions to this process that I have ever encountered.

*For librarians, the first time you have to negotiate a discount or a license, you will wish you had spent some time learning how to persuade salespeople to take less from your budget.

Job Posting Tracking Form

I mess around with Google Forms a lot (A LOT) and so I decided to update the Job Diary for a Library Job Posting Tracking Form.

I think it is really important to keep track of your own personal job search so you know

• Where the good or relevant jobs are so you don't waste time
• So you can use methods that are effective
• So you can give presents to the people who helped you
• It helps with hyperbole. I do believe that you are working hard to find a job. Do I believe that you have sent out a thousand resumes? No, I do not. And you shouldn't overstate your efforts either, especially if you are not applying as much as you think you are.

This form is public, so if you want to use the form, as is, I recommend copying and saving it in your own private Google docs account. This means that all of your spreadsheet data is kept private. And it also means that you can make changes to the logic of the form.

In this form, I have made two different "logic" choices:

1. To keep track of the friends or professors that are good sources of job postings. You can turn off the logic for this question or you can add more options for your tracking.
2. I am trying to keep track of which vertical search engines are relevant. However, you may never use vertical search engines, or you only use one or two. You can make those into separate options in this question and keep track of which Twitter feeds or which state library boards have the best jobs. It really depends on your job search.

You can also turn off some of the required questions if you don't feel they are necessary to your record keeping.

This form only keeps track of your research habits, not the success of your applications. I would suggest making a different form for that process.

I love forms because I hate making spreadsheets. I like how Google forms fills in all of the spreadsheet data for me, so I don't introduce spelling errors or what-not, and then I can look at the results later, or share the information with others.

Tracking your own job posting spotting will help you save time when you are really concentrated on your job search or when a position or contract is about to end and you need to go full speed ahead.

Librarian (ESL) City of Largo Florida

When I first got out of library school, this would have been my dream job. The cherry on the top: Florida.

Job: Librarian (ESL)
Apply Online

• Pay: $17.07/hour
• Posted: 05/23/2011
• Job Status: Full Time
• Job Type: Government

Description

The salary for this position will be $17.07 per hour.
The hours for this position will include some nights and weekends.

This is a professional position which requires considerable knowledge of library service and how it relates to the community. This position oversees English as a Second Language services and programs. The Librarian is a lead position with supervisory responsibilities and is called upon to exercise initiative and independent judgment in performing professional duties. Supervision is received from a Library Services Manager, Assistant Library Director, or Library Director, and work is reviewed through observations, reports, conferences and obtained results.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Skills to independently develop and maintain library point of service to Non-English language speakers to help them integrate into the community.
• Provides advanced reference and reader's advisory service to the public; assists patrons in selection and location of materials and in general library service.
• Directs patrons to specific facilities, subject areas, and titles. Instructs patrons in the use of the computer catalog.
• Accepts responsibility for maintaining service in the absence of a supervisor.
• Supervises department staff.
• Provides administrative and supervisory support to a Library Services Manager, and assists in personnel interviews and decision making.
• Promotes and develops good public relations, ensuring that staff meet service standards in assisting patrons; investigates public complaints and takes responsibility for appropriate action, handling any problems that cannot be handled by subordinates.
• Provides computer literacy instruction, including catalog and database instruction. Provides computer assistance and troubleshooting. Assists patrons with: using the Internet, using e-mail accounts, downloading, saving, and printing documents and files, using office productivity software, and helping with wireless access and Smart Access Manager troubleshooting.
• Evaluates the collection by determining replacements, substitutions, repairs, and discards.
• Accepts assigned professional responsibilities within departmental programs which may include reference assistance, cataloging, programming, collection development, and special collections management.
• Selects print and non-print materials for purchase.
• Assists supervisor in scheduling, supervising, assigning of duties and training of personnel.
• Assists supervisor in planning, determining budget and supply needs, and policy and procedure revisions.
• Translates statistics into reports for use by Management Team.
• Oversees projects assigned by supervisor; manages staff to accomplish project goals.
• May act as staff liaison with advisory/support groups.
• Addresses local organizations to promote library services.
• Represents the Largo Public Library at Pinellas Public Library Cooperative and Tampa Bay Library Consortium meetings to discuss and assist in the development and review of various library issues.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the library profession by reading professional journals and attending workshops, conventions and continuing education classes.
• Assists with book selections as directed by supervisor.
• Assists with programming by planning and presenting special programs in assigned departmental programs.
• Inputs, updates, accesses and retrieves data from a computer.
• Uses audio-visual and multi-media equipment and assists patrons in their use.
• Creates promotional materials.
• Competent in the use of the Integrated Library System public and support services functions.
• Performs related work as required.

JOB PROFILE:
Work Environment: 95% inside a climate controlled building; 5% outside which may include driving.

Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require: standing and walking up to approximately eight (8) hours per day. The work requires frequent: bending/stooping, climbing, crawling, fine manipulations, grasping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Enough to listen to patron questions and answer telephones; enough to listen to the directions of supervisors. Speaking: Enough to talk to patrons on the telephone and in person. Seeing: Enough to see and read computer monitor screens, identify book titles and read fine print.

Driving Requirements: The work requires occasional driving and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Office Machines: The work requires the ability to operate the following office machines: copier, print release station, fax machine, microform printer, self-checkout terminals, audio-visual equipment, cash registers, Datasave signs, and computers.
Skills / Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Training and Experience: Master's Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited institution required; previous library experience is preferred. Spanish speaking preferred. Previous English Language Learning or English as a Second language program oversight, volunteer management experience and community partnership building background strongly preferred. Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of general library operations and practices, including the use of specialized professional tools and materials for reference, material selection, and classification. Considerable knowledge of titles and authors in the area of responsibility. Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to exercise initiative and good judgment in problem solving and decision making. Ability to interact with other staff members, library patrons, community organizations, City officials, and the general public. Ability to make decisions in areas of responsibility. Ability to supervise others. Ability to be creative and artistic. Working knowledge of computers.

Application Instructions

Applications for employment with the City of Largo must be completed online through our website.