Head, Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Head, Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Public university in Las Vegas, NV
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) appreciates your interest in employment. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:
Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].
Job Description
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Head, Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction, UNLV University Libraries [R0152688]
Reporting to the Director of Special Collections and Archives (SCA), the Head of Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction provides direction, leadership, and expertise for all public services functions of the division, including reference and research services, circulation and security, outreach and promotion, and primary source literacy instruction. The position leads the planning, development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of user-centered services provided to students and patrons, ensuring an integrated and coordinated approach to customer service, community engagement, and teaching in line with SCA and UNLV Libraries priorities. This role collaborates within SCA and across the Libraries to increase the visibility and use of services and collections, enhance student academic success, and remove barriers to access of collections. The position directly supervises 1 FTE and may directly or indirectly supervise a variable number of undergraduate and graduate student assistants as resources allow. The Head of Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction is a core member of the SCA Area Leads Team, the division’s cross-functional leadership team, which advocates for the work and staff of the division.
As a strong partner in research and student learning, UNLV Libraries fosters critical thinking and lifelong learning at one of the nation’s fastest growing universities. University Libraries comprises Lied Library and four branch libraries and we are a gateway to more than 80,000 electronic journals, 1.2 million volumes, and 1.4 million e-books. We welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds to join our growing organization of over 120 experienced faculty librarians, professionals, and staff members.
The primary mission of the Special Collections and Archives Division is to collect, preserve, provide discovery and access to, and promote, interpret, and instruct in the use of our materials. Special Collections and Archives documents the history, culture, and physical environment of the city of Las Vegas, the Southern Nevada region, the global gaming industry, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Our collections include manuscripts, books, photographs, periodicals, maps, architectural drawings, oral history interviews, audiovisual materials, University archives, born-digital records, and other cultural artifacts. Significant collecting areas are: gaming and gambling; regional community groups and organizations; sexual entertainment and economies; Las Vegas entertainment and the arts; Las Vegas and urban resort architecture; mining and railroads; and Southern and Central Nevada history.
The division is comprised of three departments: Technical Services; Research, Engagement, and Instruction; and Digital Collections. It also includes the Libraries’ preservation unit and conservation lab and the Oral History Research Center. Staff includes 10 academic faculty positions, 6 administrative faculty positions, and multiple student and temporary positions.
The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as leading a respectful, positive work environment. The University Libraries values begin with our belief that everyone deserves a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment where they are treated with respect and dignity. The Libraries extends its commitment to diversity and equity in employment and especially welcomes applications from women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and others who contribute to diversification.
This position requires an earned Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science from an American Library Association accredited program and at least 5 years of experience providing public services in an archives or special collections. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.
A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.
This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor (Rank II, tenure-track) or Associate (Rank III, tenure-track/tenure). Minimum starting salary is $75,600, or commensurate with the labor market. For more information on salary ranges please visit UNLV Salary Range.
In addition, University Libraries is committed to and helps fund professional development opportunities: each position receives annual allotment for professional development activities.
Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.
Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Materials should be addressed to the Head, Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction Search Committee Chair.
Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Workday. Please note that emailed materials will not be accepted.
Veterans are encouraged to apply. UNLV values the skills of those who have served. Learn more at Veterans Webpage or contact [email protected] for support.
For assistance with the application process, please review instructions on How to Apply. For further assistance contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected].
UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0152688” in the search box.
If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.
Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 34,000 students and more than 4,451 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 186,000 degrees, producing more than 151,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.
Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.
For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu
The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Mail Stop 1062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Campus Services Building (CSB) Room 246, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: [email protected], or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected]; or to both.
Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.
UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.
Academic Faculty
Exempt
YesFull-Time Equivalent
100.0%Required Attachment(s)
Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.
Posting Close Date
12/31/2026Note to Applicant
This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.
References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.
As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.
For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.
All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements (if a closing date is provided).
Recruitments that provide a work schedule are subject to change based on organizational needs.
Public university in Las Vegas, NV
University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university in Las Vegas, Nevada. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through its colleges and schools.
Explore more opportunities at University of Nevada, Las Vegas