Wikipedia:GLAM/WVU/About

West Virginia University Library is hosting a Wikipedian in Residence for Gender Equity. It was funded as an Inspire Grant, and announced formally in June 2015.

Announcement

Position Application

WVU Libraries seeks an enthusiastic academic cultural professional or experienced Wikimedia contributor with previous knowledge of developing programming in the Wikimedia community or a similar digital community or project to become its first Wikipedian in Residence for Gender Equity. This position represents the next step in a strategic commitment by the WVU Libraries to address the gender gap in Wikipedia in constructive and sustainable ways. (See www.symposium.lib.wvu.edu for further information about the steps already taken.) The body of work this position generates will be a significant contribution to the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the graduation of women from West Virginia University in 2016.

The Role

The primary focus of the Wikipedian in Residence for Gender Equity (WIR) will be to expand the impact of women contributors and creation of women-focused content on Wikipedia (with an emphasis on West Virginia’s context). The WIR will develop programming that engages WVU libraries, WVU academic communities, members of the Wikimedia Community, and members of the public in pursuing this goal.

A successful outcome will be implementing a replicable system of training sessions and outreach methods that effectively teach newcomers while also fostering a sustainable community that can continue the project over time.

The position requires the WIR to be present on WVU’s campus during the one year residency, which may be renewed based on candidate performance and available funding.

Qualifications

Good candidates will have proven project management skills and experience developing programming and/or organizing communities in an academic or cultural sector context.

Very good candidates will also have an interest (or an educational background) in:

Women’s Studies, and/or gender studies issues
West Virginia, its Appalachian geography, culture, and history
Challenging systemic bias, especially in online environments

Additional Qualifications

A Master’s degree in a field related to responsibilities of the position such as Women and Gender Studies, Appalachian culture and history, English, geography. A valid drivers license will be required as part of the position.

Experience

In addition to the knowledge/education, work experience will be valued in candidates for this position. Experience listed here is considered as concurrent not cumulative. We are looking for demonstrated ability to adapt scholarly research and writing practices to public focused digital environments. Experience developing projects and teams of contributors for digital projects desirable.

Type of Experience Needed

Experience with Wikipedia developing outreach within the Wikimedia community desirable; previous experience with developing digital communities and adapting scholarly experience to a community context for a public audience, is also relevant. Persons applying for this position should have a minimum of one year of relevant work experience. Although more is preferred, it is not required.

This position requires the following

Background Check
Valid driver’s license

WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. Underrepresented class members are encouraged to apply. This includes: minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Description of the WVU Library System

The WiR will work in the Downtown Library complex but be a part of the entire library system. The library system is comprised of the Downtown Campus Library, the Charles C. Wise Jr. Library, the Evansdale Library, the Health Sciences Library, the Law Library, Potomac State Mary F. Shipper Library and WVU Tech Vining Library. The WVU Libraries collaborate with American University, University of Iowa Libraries and Virginia Tech on the Diversity Alliance, a three-year residency program designed to diversify academic librarianship. WVU Libraries are a charter member of the Open Access Network and hold additional memberships with the Greater Western Library Alliance, Center for Research Libraries, CNI, CLIR, ICPSR, American Association of University Presses, SPARC, Library Publishing Coalition, the Society for Scholarly Publishing and PALCI.

Meeting the needs of today’s professional couples is a critical factor in WVU’s success in recruiting and retaining new faculty and senior staff. Our Dual Career Program assists couples in your employment search. WVU belongs to the OH/Western PA/WV higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC). Please visit dualcareer.wvu.edu and hwpawvherc.org for more information and job postings.

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