Department/Organization
219101 - University Libraries

Rank
Assistant/Associate Professor

Position Summary
The University of Alabama Libraries seeks a proactive and innovative individual for the Development and Operations (DevOps) Librarian. This role will report to the Director of Library Technology and will oversee the Linux systems administration team. The DevOps Librarian will lead efforts in systems administration, monitoring, and continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) initiatives.

Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama Libraries seeks a proactive and innovative individual for the Development and Operations (DevOps) Librarian. This role will report to the Director of Library Technology and will oversee the Linux systems administration team. The DevOps Librarian will lead efforts in systems administration, monitoring, and continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) initiatives. The position will also work with University Libraries faculty on technological enhancements that support the Research Computing Services Program. They will work to train librarians on new technologies and will participate actively in faculty affairs.

Key responsibilities include developing, deploying, and maintaining LAMP/MEAN-based library systems and web applications based on DevOps principles. The DevOps Librarian will collaborate with library technology developers and librarians to design and implement automated workflows, monitor and optimize system performance, manage version control and CI/CD pipelines, and troubleshoot technical issues. Additionally, this position involves documenting configurations, staying current with new technologies, and training library faculty and staff on supported platforms. Technology support for managed library systems and services will include troubleshooting, data analysis, and system enhancements.

The DevOps Librarian will manage and serve as a technical expert for the Linux systems administration team, ensuring the effective execution of IT projects and initiatives, implementing continuous deployment automation platforms, and overseeing knowledge management processes. Responsibilities will include monitoring core server infrastructure, supporting both existing and new servers and web platforms, promoting a DevOps culture, planning server capacity, and providing training and support for managed library systems.

Collaboration with department heads and stakeholders is essential for developing a digital infrastructure that meets both current and future needs. The DevOps Librarian will focus on continuous improvement and professional development to remain informed about trends in library systems, emerging technologies, and advancements in library science. The person in this position will be encouraged to pursue grant writing opportunities and submission of projects relevant to the mission of University Libraries and the University of Alabama. The successful candidate must possess the ability to deal with change, ambiguity, and complex problems that are typical of an academic setting. Responsibilities change as the University Libraries continues to evolve.

SALARY/BENEFITS: 12 month renewable contract faculty appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. Salary is $80,000.00 - $100,000.00, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and advanced degrees. Strong benefits, including professional development support, tuition fee waiver, and matching retirement contributions.

Minimum Qualifications
• Master's in Library & Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution or a doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Expert understanding of Linux system administration, networking, and security principles.
• Experience with the software development lifecycle process for applications developed in various programming languages (e.g., JavaScript/NodeJS, Java, Python), including continuous integration and deployment.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell, Node.js, YAML, PHP, Groovy, Golang) and automation tools.
• Experience troubleshooting failure modes of complex LAMP systems, such as multi-tier web technologies, networking, and storage.
• Expert knowledge of DevOps tools and practices, including version control (e.g., Git), CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Ability to analyze and solve problems creatively to complete specific assignments; aptitude for learning new technologies and adapting to a dynamic environment.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving job duties in the changing research library environment.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting library platforms such as D-Space, ArchivesSpace, WordPress, Omeka S, LOCKSS, or Open Journal Systems. • Familiarity with infrastructure automation tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, SaltStack, or similar platforms. • Experience implementing and managing system monitoring tools, including Nagios, Checkmk, ManageEngine OpManager, or Prometheus with Grafana. • Experience developing and maintaining Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines for efficient software delivery, using tools like GitHub Actions, self-hosted runners, Ansible, Jenkins, and Kubernetes. • Proven ability to lead and mentor experienced technology staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. • Experience providing system administration for SUSE Enterprise, Apache, Tomcat, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL. • Experience working in academic, cultural heritage, or research institutions. • Successful track record in applying for technology-related grants and collaborating with faculty.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Applications are accepted online only at https://careers.ua.edu. Click Faculty Jobs, then University Libraries. Please include your application, Curriculum Vitae, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e- mail addresses of three references, including one current supervisor. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Applications received by January 20, 2025, are assured of receiving full consideration. For questions regarding the search, contact Michael Arthur, Senior Associate Dean, at maarthur@ua.edu.

About the Division/College/School
The University of Alabama Libraries, a system of four separate discipline-related libraries, is proud to support the research enterprise at the University of Alabama via a comprehensive and integrated network of resources, services, and technologies designed to meet the academic and research needs of students, faculty, and staff. We take pride in serving as a hub for innovation, knowledge creation and dissemination, research assistance, and collaborative learning.

Members of the University of Alabama family visited our physical and virtual spaces over 10 million times in 2022. Our print collections span over 6 million volumes, and we offer access to 2.5 million E-Books, 220,000 AV titles, and 98,000 E-Journals via our 685 databases.

University Libraries provides strong mentorship for faculty and staff, with ongoing collaborative opportunities, and administrative support for innovative services and ideas. We provide excellent support for needed technology and conference travel, and we are invested in academic freedom with teaching and research.

Our staff routinely update and maintain cutting edge programs of service in support of our stakeholders. Our faculty librarians have developed a robust instruction program, including a series of research data services and workshops, that consistently performs at the top of the SEC. We are heavily invested in performing the same high value research that our stakeholders produce, and that assists us in our data-driven strategic planning for the future. Our librarians have produced 75 peer reviewed journal articles in Tier 1 journals in the last 2 years.

If working with a talented group of professionals who value service, innovation, and high achievement, earning a nationally competitive starting salary, in a thriving college town, with a low cost of living, close to Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast sounds interesting to you, start your application process with us to learn more!

About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.

In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.

UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.

For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine’s list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review’s list of Top Value Colleges.

UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.

Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., “The Alabama Research Institutes”), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.

The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation’s most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf