User Experience Strategist, UT Libraries

Job Posting Title:

User Experience Strategist, UT Libraries

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Hiring Department:

UT Libraries

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Apr 15, 2024

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas Libraries advances teaching, catalyzes research, and democratizes learning in order to develop critical thinkers and global citizens. As an essential campus partner in building a rich research and learning ecosystem, we are committed to creating and sustaining a community that welcomes and respects all individuals, celebrates different perspectives and experiences, and fosters belonging. To learn more about UT Libraries, please visit our website: https://www.lib.utexas.edu/

Purpose

The University of Texas Libraries User Experience Strategist is a key member of the Assessment & User Experience team, focused on integrating user needs and experiences in all aspects of the UT Libraries’ current and future online presence and services. The person in this position will act as the Product Owner of the Libraries website, providing strategy and oversight for its content and functionality.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct user tests, analyses, and other research methods designed to assess user experiences and needs.
• Present findings and recommendations in written reports and in-person presentations.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to prioritize and implement recommendations.
• Recommend and make user experience improvements to the Libraries’ website, ensure the site maintains a consistent style and voice, and make routine content updates.
• Coordinate with relevant groups to build a consistent user experience in Libraries systems.
• Participate in a range of projects of the Assessment & User Experience team, including conducting interviews and facilitating surveys of users.
• As a member of the Assessment & Communication team, foster a culture of assessment and data-driven decision-making.
• Serve on Libraries and University committees and working groups, and participate in local, state, and/or national professional organizations.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and five years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong understanding of UX/UI design principles.
• Demonstrated understanding of research methods including but not limited to usability studies, contextual inquiry, and surveys.
• Advanced knowledge of website design principles.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows, competing priorities, and multiple deadlines.
• Strong analytical and innovative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and efficiently in a team-oriented, change-ready environment.
• Demonstrated willingness to respond to opportunities with initiative, creative energy, and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate technical concepts and requirements to broad audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, especially when presenting data.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• MLS or other relevant advanced degree.
• Experience using applied research methods including but not limited to usability studies, contextual inquiry, and surveys.
• Expertise in relevant software applications, including statistical analysis or testing software.
• Advanced knowledge of content strategy principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends that affect academic libraries and higher education.
• Experience in project management and formulating recommendations for improvement.
• Demonstrated potential for leadership in university, state, national, and international programs and initiatives.
• Experience working appropriately with sensitive and confidential materials and situations.
• Demonstrated experience with relationship building, internally and externally.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills.

Salary Range

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Typical library conditions

Work Shift

​Monday – Friday, between the hours of 7am and 6pm, as arranged with supervisor. Flexible work arrangements available.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

During your application, you will be asked the following questions.

• What portion of the user experience design process do you enjoy the most and why?
• Please describe the most interesting user research you have participated in. What did you learn, and how did you communicate and/or apply your findings and recommendations?
• How can user experience research and design contribute to the success of an academic library?

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.