Department Head, Special Collections & Archives (Open Rank)

Position Information

Posting Number: F00620P
Classification Title: Non-Tenure Track Open Rank Faculty
Position Title: Department Head, Special Collections & Archives (Open Rank)

GSU Information

Georgia State University is a national model for innovation and opening opportunities for all, among the top five most innovative by U.S. News & World Report, ranked 1st among public universities in undergraduate teaching, the number 1 nonprofit university to award bachelor’s degrees to African American students, 4th in the country for its first-year student experience, and highly ranked for enabling the social and economic mobility of its students. Among the most diverse universities in the nation, Georgia State opens global perspectives as the number 1 U.S. public university sending African American students to study abroad.

A regional gateway to higher education, the five suburban Perimeter College campuses provide more than 30 associate degree pathways. The downtown Atlanta campus offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degree levels.

With five university-wide research centers and numerous centers and institutes at the college and school levels, Georgia State’s interdisciplinary, dynamic and productive research enterprises address major health and societal challenges. It is one of only 146 universities with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Foundation, an honor reserved for the nation’s most active research institutions. Outgoing research expenditures have doubled in the last decade and topped $1.2 billion over the last six years, an indication of the University’s rapid research growth.

Georgia State is vital to the regional economy, with a more than $2.9 billion economic impact, and is also a vital part of Atlanta’s vibrant arts and entertainment community, with highly regarded programs in music, art, creative writing and film, the Rialto Center for the Arts, and the Creative Media Industries Institute that contributes to innovation and the workforce for interactive media and media entrepreneurship.

General information on faculty roles and responsibilities can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook and the Office of Faculty Affairs website. All faculty at Georgia State are, as part of their essential job duties, expected to: (1) be physically present on-campus as needed to contribute to Georgia State’s in-person educational experience, and (2) be able to teach in each of the following instructional modalities – in-person, online, or blended/hybrid – as determined by their Department Chair or Dean.

Department: Library Special Collections
College: University Library
Campus: Atlanta
Position Type: Full Time Faculty
Posting Type: External

About the Department

The University Library at the main Atlanta Campus provides one of the most attractive, open, and inviting educational facilities in the Southeast. With over 1.25 million annual visitors, the library is an integral part of the University community. The library is a valued partner within the campus community, offering a modern, inviting, and centralized facility supporting teaching and research with extensive collections and outstanding assistance. Learn more about the University Library at lib.gsu.edu.

The Special Collections and Archives department enhances and supports the research and learning pursuits of the university’s students, faculty and staff, and our wider communities and partners. The department collects, preserves, and provides access to unique historical materials that document the history and culture of Georgia State University and the wade array of communities of the Metro Atlanta area, the state of Georgia, and the southeastern United States. Collecting areas include University Archives, Southern Labor, Music & Popular Culture, Women’s Collections, Gender & Sexuality, Photographic Collections, Atlanta Civic & Neighborhood History, and Rare Books. For more information, visit library.gsu.edu/special-collections.

Position Description

The Department Head provides leadership and vision for Special Collections & Archives, overseeing departmental personnel and operations in support of the unit’s mission to acquire, preserve, and provide access to unique collections that bring distinction to the Georgia State University Library. The position ensures the department’s alignment with the University Library’s strategic goals.

This is a twelve-month, non-tenure track position with faculty rank and status; excellent leave, health, and retirement benefits; and support for research and professional activities.

Required Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience
• Supervisory experience or experience leading teams or projects

This position is eligible for hiring at the ranks listed below:

• Librarian Assistant Professor – Minimum three full years of service at the rank of Librarian Instructor.
• Librarian Associate Professor – Minimum of five full fiscal years of service at the rank of Librarian Assistant Professor.
• Librarian Professor - Minimum of five full fiscal years of service at the rank of Librarian Associate Professor.

Required Education

ALA-accredited master’s degree in library/information science, or an advanced degree in archival studies, history, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of special collections.
• Successful experience supervising faculty.
• Record of professional service.
• Experience with fundraising and grant writing.

Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations, etc

Pre-Employment Requirements

A criminal background check is required.

Work Hours

Standard GSU business hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m., Monday–Friday. Work schedules for this non-tenure track faculty position vary according to library needs and may occasionally include evening shifts or duties at other GSU metro-area campuses.

Salary

$74,500 - $89,630

Search Chair Contact info

Co – Chairs:
Bryan Sinclair bsinclair@gsu.edu
Lisa Vallen evallen@gsu.edu

Departmental contact for assistance

Library Human Resources (LHR) at liblao@gsu.edu

Job Duties

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 03/01/2027
Position End Date (if temporary):
Open Date: 11/13/2026
Review of Applications Begins: 12/11/2026
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions Summary

Please ensure that the names, email addresses, and phone numbers you provide in the application belong to three professional references who can speak to your qualifications, work performance, and suitability for the position.

Apply at: https://facultycareers.gsu.edu/postings/7542

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Georgia State University is an equal opportunity employer with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. • How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
     • Public Job Posting
     • Internal Job Posting
     • Agency Referral
     • Advertisement/Publication
     • Personal Referral
     • Website
     • Chronicle of Higher Education/Vitae
     • HigherEdJobs.com
     • Computing Research Association
     • CommunityCollegeJobs.com
     • Diverse Jobs
     • AcademicJobsOnline.org
     • Other
     • DiversityinAcademia.net
     • Indeed
     • Circa Works
2. • What is the highest level of education attained?
     • GED
     • High School Diploma
     • Associates Degree
     • Bachelors Degree
     • Masters Degree
     • PHD

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Letter of Intent/Cover Letter

Optional Documents