The Library Human Resources Department (LHRD) coordinates all academic searches with the Office for Faculty Equity and Welfare (OFEW) and Academic Personnel Office (APO).
Requesting a Recruitment
Once a department head and Associate University Librarian (AUL) determine the need to post a position, the position must be approved by the Library lead team, followed up by LHRD and Library Business Services approvals, which include the determination of the funding source.
Forms necessary to request an academic recruitment:
(See the Request to Recruit workflow chart for an overview of the process.)
- Request to Recruit updated 03/20/24
- Physical, Environmental and Mental Demands (The PEM)
- Job Announcement (email LHRD for samples)
Preparing the Job Announcement
LHRD contacts the AUL/manager and search committee chair to prepare the job announcement. For Librarian series positions, CAPA is included in the vetting process, and the AUL/manager completes the final draft. After the job announcement is finalized, LHRD works with the search committee to determine the recruitment efforts according to campus guidelines. More detailed guidelines for analysts and search committees are provided on the Office for Faculty Equity's website.
As a federal contractor, UC Berkeley is obligated by law to make efforts to encourage underrepresented individuals to apply for academic positions, with the goal of meeting the benchmarks for the search area and affirmative action goals for the recruitment.
The Library's standard recruitment plan includes posting ads at the locations listed below. Search committees may request specialized sites be added to the list for their particular recruitment.
- LHRD Job Board
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- California Association of Research Libraries
- Chinese American Librarians Association
- Nor Cal HERC
- CLA Jobline
- Reformanet
- Greater Western Library Alliance
- San Jose State School of Information
- American Library Association Joblist
- College & Research Libraries
- Black Caucus
- IMDiversity
- ARL Career Resources
- Academic Careers
- Indeed
- Craigslist
- American Indian Library Association listserv
- Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association
- We Here
- DisABLED Person
After confirming the job announcement and search plan, LHRD then enters them into AP Recruit for campus approvals. After APO and OFEW approve, the position is posted to AP Recruit and additional desired websites. Academic searches are posted for two weeks minimum; for Library academic positions, postings are open for thirty days before the initial review date.
Conducting the Search
It is advised that the search committee conduct outreach and encourage potential candidates to apply, in addition to circulating the posting to subject specialty professional networks.
All complete applications by the first review date must be reviewed. If the search committee finds the pool weak, additional review dates may be set.
Evaluating and Interviewing Applicants
When reviewing and evaluating the applications the search committee separates the pool into two groups: those who meet the basic qualifications and those who don't. The chair then assigns disposition reasons to unqualified applicants.
To view applications, sign into AP Recruit:
- Go to AP Recruit
- Click “UCB Faculty and Administrators” and sign in with your CalNet ID
- Click “Recruitments” in the top menu bar
- Click “Applicants” under the title of your recruitment
- Under each applicant name click on “Manage” and the review the application
Once the search committee agrees on top candidates, it is the Library’s practice to have a first round of phone interviews.
LHRD handles all preliminary interview scheduling and communication with the candidates at this stage.
Following the initial interviews, finalist are selected to move on to the final interview stage. These finalists are invited to for a on-campus visit consisting of a full day interview at the Library. LHRD works to coordinate each interview date, and works closely with the search committee chair on preparing for these onsite interview dates.
The interview process usually takes place during the course of a full day and includes a 25-30 minute public presentation on a topic chosen by the search committee. For temporary positions, the interview is generally shorter and does not include a public presentation.
Selecting a Candidate and Closing out the Search
The search committee gathers all feedback from the Library community and all involved parties and makes a decision on the proposed final candidate. The search committee chair finishes assigning disposition reasons in AP Recruit to all qualified and unqualified applicants who submitted their applications by the final review date.
The search committee prepares a search report to be delivered to the AUL/manager and LHRD. The search report and all other necessary documentation required to close a recruitment is detailed on OFEW’s Non-Senate Search Guide (see “Creating the Search Report” and “Documentation”).
The purpose of the search report is to document the search process, demonstrate the equitable consideration of all candidates, and provide justification for recommending proposed candidate. The search report is then reviewed by the AUL/manager, who makes the final recommendation to LHRD to make an offer.
LHRD makes a tentative offer to the candidate and coordinates negotiation with the AUL/manager. After the tentative offer is accepted, LHRD prepares the closing documentation and search report in AP Recruit for OFEW's approval.
Once the approval is secured, the official offer letter is coordinated by LHRD and signed by the University Librarian. The official offer letter is then sent to the final candidate.
LHRD will send deselection letters to all semi-finalists and final candidates who were not selected.
The search is then closed in AP Recruit.
Hiring
LHRD works closely with the new hires on their final relocation (if that applies) and on their onboarding day (in coordination with Berkeley Regional Services).