Librarian

Sonoran University of Health Sciences shapes a healthier future by supporting students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals, by enhancing the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities, and by discovering effective treatments for humanity grounded in the healing power of nature. Our vision is a world that embraces the healing power of nature. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the overall environment is vibrant and dynamic, with passionate students, staff, and faculty.


As a private institution, Sonoran University is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community for all. Sonoran community members embody and promote inclusive excellence (IE*). This includes a commitment to respecting diverse perspectives and continually advancing your understanding and practices around equity, belonging, and support for all students, employees, patients, and our greater community. You will contribute to a campus culture that embraces our core values.

Job Description/Summary

Sonoran University of Health Sciences seeks a University Librarian to lead the university library as a central resource for research, learning, and collaboration. The Librarian provides strategic and operational leadership for library services, overseeing staff, collections, and daily operations while ensuring the library effectively supports the academic and research needs of the university community. The library serves both on-campus and remote learners across Sonoran's health sciences programs, including clinical nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and clinical mental health counseling.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Program Innovation, the University Librarian partners closely with faculty, students, clinicians, and university leadership to strengthen the library's role in supporting knowledge discovery, digital scholarship, and community engagement. The Librarian will lead initiatives that enhance research support and expand the reach and effectiveness of library services, including guiding faculty and students in the use of emerging research technologies and responsible applications of artificial intelligence for literature discovery, evidence synthesis, and scholarly productivity. This role also identifies opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, including AI, that improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a collaborative, forward-thinking professional to help guide the continued evolution of Sonoran's library as an innovative learning and community resource. We seek a University Librarian who is energized to advance emerging roles for academic health sciences libraries, including digital scholarship, AI-supported research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community programming. This leader will ensure the library serves not only as a hub for academic inquiry, but also as a welcoming space that connects the university with the broader community through programming, partnerships, and shared learning opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Library Operations and Personnel Management

• Provide leadership and oversight for the university library operations, including staff supervision, daily service delivery, and overall management of the facility.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise library staff and student workers and volunteers, while fostering a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment. Provide coaching and performance feedback to support staff growth and effectiveness.
• Manage library collections, resources, and services to ensure alignment with the academic and research needs of faculty and students.
• Develop, implement, and maintain library policies, procedures, and best practices that support effective library operations.
• Support institutional and programmatic accreditation by ensuring library resources, services, and documentation meet relevant standards.
• Maintain a professional, welcoming, and well-organized library environment.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, that may enhance research support, streamline library workflows, and improve operational efficiency.

Research Support and Academic Engagement

• Support faculty and student research through literature searching, evidence-based practice, and scholarly resource discovery.
• Provide guidance on the effective use of research databases, information resources, and emerging research technologies.
• Assist faculty and students in utilizing tools that support literature discovery, evidence synthesis, and scholarly productivity.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic programs to support information literacy instruction and research skills development.

Innovation and Technology Integration

• Explore and implement emerging technologies that enhance library services, research support, and user engagement.
• Support responsible and effective uses of artificial intelligence and other digital research tools.
• Assess new digital resources and technologies that expand access to information and support evolving academic needs.
• Contribute to institutional discussions about the future of academic libraries, digital scholarship, and research support services.

Community Engagement and Programming

• Position the library as a collaborative learning environment that connects students, faculty, and the broader community.
• Develop programs, workshops, and events that support research skills, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
• Foster partnerships with academic departments, student services, and external organizations to expand the impact of library programming.
• Promote the library as a welcoming hub for intellectual exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community dialogue.

Resource and Fiscal Stewardship

• Develop and manage the library budget in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Explore funding opportunities, partnerships, and grants that strengthen library services and infrastructure.
• Monitor trends in academic libraries and higher education to inform library planning and service development.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLS, MLIS, or equivalent) from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution.

• Minimum five years of experience in an academic, research, or health sciences library environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, and student workers, or library operations.
• Experience managing library budgets, collections, or resource allocation.
• Experience supporting faculty and student research, including literature searching and use of scholarly databases.
• Proficiency with academic research databases and discovery platforms (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, or similar).
• Experience using integrated library systems (ILS) such as EOS.Web from SirsidynixAlma, Sierra, Koha, or other similar platforms.
• Experience providing research consultations, library instruction, or information literacy training.
• Proficiency with common productivity tools, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) or equivalent software.
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and university leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a health sciences environment.
• Experience supporting institutional or programmatic accreditation reviews, including preparation of documentation related to library resources and research support
• Experience supporting systematic reviews, evidence synthesis, or evidence-based practice research.
• Familiarity with systematic review or evidence synthesis tools (e.g., Covidence, Rayyan).
• Experience using reference management and citation tools such as EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley.
• Experience supporting digital scholarship initiatives, scholarly communication, or institutional repositories.
• Interest in evaluating emerging technologies and responsible applications of artificial intelligence to enhance research support, library operations, and user experience.

Work Environment

On-site in Tempe, AZ.

Background/Screening

All candidates offered a position at SONORAN UNIVERSITY undergo a background and drug screen prior to hire. All employees must show documentation of vaccinations or provide titer results for measles prior to first day of work (unless religious or medical exemption is on file). Employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of all screens required of this position.

SONORAN UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

SONORAN UNIVERSITY is a smoke free campus.


* Inclusive Excellence is the standard set by an organization to intentionally integrate diversity, inclusion, and equity into its organizational pursuit of excellence.

About Sonoran University:

Sonoran University of Health Sciences is a non-profit and internationally recognized higher education institution dedicated to shaping a healthier future. Guided by our mission to support students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals, enhance the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities, and discover effective treatments grounded in the healing power of nature. We uphold our core values: We shape the future, we love, we achieve excellence, we are resilient, and we do the right thing .

The University's College of Naturopathic Medicine, College of Nutrition, and School of Mental Health offer evidence-based programs designed to shape a healthier tomorrow by preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

To serve the University's mission, the Sage Foundation for Health supports several Community Clinics focused on providing free naturopathic medical care to local underserved communities within the Phoenix Metro area. The College of Nutrition's Virtual Center for Personalized Nutrition aims to eliminate traditional barriers to nutritional care by providing personalized and evidence-based care delivered at no cost via telehealth.

The Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research is a state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory seeks to improve therapies for global health concerns by exploring traditional medicine at the cellular, molecular, and cultural level to create novel botanical solutions that support people, plants, and planet.

The University's Clinical Care branch operates two open-to-the-public clinics at the Tempe Campus. The Medical Center provides naturopathic healthcare for a wide range of patients including but not limited to; family medicine, nutrition and digestive health, mental health and well-being, dermatologic conditions, endocrine and auto-immune concerns, and acute symptoms. The Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine focuses on non-opioid solutions to pain and pain management utilizing treatments ranging from cupping and acupuncture to regenerative injection therapies. The Medicinary is the largest natural pharmacy in Arizona, offering an expansive collection of the highest quality, professional-grade supplements, herbs, and natural health products. Every purchase made at the Medicinary helps support the Sage Foundation and its mission to provide free healthcare to those in need.

Nurture your knowledge, visit sonoran.edu

Benefits:

At Sonoran University, we achieve excellence and shape the future by fostering a workplace where you can thrive and grow!

Our benefits go above and beyond to support your health, happiness, and lifestyle.
Qualifying employees enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, vacation time, 12 paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with a discretionary match, and employer-sponsored life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage.
Every team member benefits from paid sick time, and exclusive perks like free office visits at our Medical Center and Neil Riordan Center, plus discounts at the largest medicinary in the Southwest - with shipping available!
Enjoy a delicious meal our onsite café, or unwind in our fully equipped employee breakroom with a full kitchen, coffee, and new snacks every month.

Prioritize your wellness with free personalized nutritional care, a yoga studio, a fitness center, and covered parking.
Explore a wealth of knowledge in our library, rock your Sonoran pride on Casual Wednesdays, and be celebrated through our annual Employee Appreciation Day.
Want more? Access exclusive deals on attractions, shows, shopping, and more through Tickets At Work and LifeMart.
With a flexible hybrid work environment and an inspiring culture, Sonoran University is where passion and purpose meet to create a workplace like no other!