Assistant Information Specialist at IIE MSA and IIE Varsity College

About the Job

• The IIE's Varsity College, Sandton Campus has a vacancy for an Assistant Information Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

User Education

• Continuously trains students on how to use Information Centre databases to enable them to research and access information required e.g. Ebscohost, Juta Law, Emerald, Sabinet etc.
• Facilitates bi-annual and walk-in presentations as joint presenters on Student Information Literacy Sessions and Lecturer information briefings.

Information Specialist Support

• Drives The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) Information Centre policies and procedures and ensures adherence to policies.
• "Supports the Information Specialist in training the Information Centre Student Assistants.

Information Centre Administration

• Assists students and lecturers with research by searching for relevant articles and research material.
• Provides guidance to students on academic writing.
• Requests lecturing material from Publishers and sources additional material for Academic staff.
• Monitors the performance of all functions of Information Centre automated Information Centre systems.
• Updates new books on the Sirsi Dynix to ensure accurate record keeping.
• Compiles journal content pages relevant to specific schools including newspaper articles.
• Co-ordinates day-to-day book loans of students and lecturers (issuing, renewing and returning) and follows up on overdue loans by sending emails and calling Information Centre users.
• Facilitates inter-Information Centre loans to enable availability of resources to support students and lecturers.

Provision of Information Services

• Facilitates academic support and training sessions on our digital learning platform.
• Supports academic staff with research and sourcing academic material.
• Conducts class visits and live interactive training sessions for students and lecturers.
• Supports students on how to access, submit and reset passwords on Turnitin and Safe Assign.

Information Centre Resources Marketing

• Designs interactive posters to market Information Centre resources on campus.
• Arranges monthly displays according to the calendar set out by the Information Centre Manager.
• Promotes Information Centre resources on various platforms using creative digital tools.
• Markets teaching and learning resources to lecturers.
• Presents information about teaching and learning resources and information services during information sessions.

Competencies required:

• Interpersonal and communications skills
• Problem solving skills
• Best suited to a friendly, organised person who works accurately and is able to handle pressure
• Attention to detail
• Time management skills
• Digital literacy skills
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Understanding of library related technology (e.g. Law online databases, Sirsi Dynix, Emerald, Ebscohost, Sabinet. etc)
• Commitment to excellent customer service

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Minimum of Advanced Diploma/ Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science. Must have professional registration with LIASA.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience as an assistant librarian in a small to medium sized facility within an education environment and experience in academic compliance, functions / activities experience within a Higher Education environment.

Working Hours:
Assistant Information Specialist:

• Monday to Friday 07:00 – 16:00 or 10:00 – 19:00. This will be discussed further during the interview.
• The Assistant Information Specialist will be required to work one Saturday shift a month from 08h00 to 13h00 (timing of this monthly Saturday shift will be determined by the Head: Academic). In the week where the IS works the Saturday shift the Friday working hours will change to 07h00-11h00 accordingly.

The Head: Academics retains the right to change the above working hours when required.

Working Conditions:

• Reliable transportation required.