Scholarly Communications Specialist - Jerry Falwell Library

The Scholarly Communications Specialist (SCS), by working independently with a customer service orientation, contributes to all aspects of the Jerry Falwell Library’s scholarly communication efforts. These include the maintenance and development of Liberty University’s institutional repository, to ensure optimal use and benefit. This position assists with the processes for publishing theses, dissertations, journal articles, and other faculty and student scholarship. This position reports to the Research and Scholarly Communications Librarian.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scholarly Communications Specialist I

• Performs the following tasks:
• Assists students with submitting electronic theses and dissertations (ETD).
• Reviews submitted ETDs for formatting and copyright adherence.
• Manages a variety of content across the university’s institutional repository, adding appropriate metadata.
• Assists faculty with the process of posting works in the institutional repository (Scholars Crossing) and related platforms, such as the institutional research management system (LU SHARE).
• Contributes to the planning and execution of annual, university-wide Research Week event.
• Monitors departmental inbox, responding to customer queries.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of metadata best practices in institutional repository context.
• Consistently displays excellent customer service through positive interaction and communication with other JFL departments, library customers, and other LU departments.
• Remains abreast of existing and emerging technologies, processes, products, services, and leading industry performance benchmarks.
• Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s mission.
  

Scholarly Communications Specialist II

• Demonstrates proficiency in the functions and responsibilities of the Specialist I position.
• Performs the following tasks:
• Maintains relevant institutional repository statistics and records.
• Stays abreast of the developments and capabilities of institutional repository, ensuring optimal platform functionality.
• Creates and maintains various online event exhibits as assigned.
• Assists in the maintenance and ongoing development of LU SHARE.
• Supports journal publishing workflows, including journal setup, submission, and maintenance of journal pages.
• Maintains updated documentation related to essential Scholarly Communications processes.
• Works with Center for Academic Development to host and maintain book access through ISSUU.
  

Scholarly Communications Specialist III

• Demonstrates proficiency in the functions and responsibilities of the Specialist I and II positions.
• Provides administrator support for LU’s research management system (LU SHARE).
• Supports various open access initiatives, including open access publishing and open educational resource creation and adoption.
• Possesses basic knowledge of general copyright best practices.
• Supports university journal publishing workflows, including journal setup, article submission, as well as journal page updates and maintenance.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Scholarly Communication Specialist I

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-2 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree or graduate status
• Academic library experience
• Experience in proofreading or copy-editing
  
  

Scholarly Communication Specialist II

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-2 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree or graduate status
• Academic library experience
• Demonstrated experience in proofreading, copy-editing, or similar
  
  

Scholarly Communication Specialist III

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-2 years of relevant experience
• Scholarly communications experience in academic library setting
• PURE Certification
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree or graduate status
• Demonstrated experience in proofreading, copy-editing, or similar
  
  

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated information
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong computer and technical skills
  
  

Problem Solving

• Thoughtfully able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
  
  

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate. The working environment also includes the facilitation of occasional outdoor events.

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.

Target Hire Date

2025-03-31

Time Type

Full time

Location

Lynchburg - In Office

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.