23 What to look for in a specialist
There are a few more considerations when looking for an OER Specialist. I’ve included the position description we used at Central Lakes College.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Does the applicant have the time?
Students are busy! They are taking classes, have family and personal commitments and may hold other jobs. You will want to ensure that a Student OER Specialist understands the time commitment and is willing and able to work 20-24 hours every week consistently.
How long will the applicant be able to hold the position?
Many students have goals to attend University after Community College. Making sure that students will be able to commit to more than a single semester of work is important for consistency as many projects will span multiple semesters.
Does the applicant work well in a fluid work environment?
There is always something new to learn, research or create. OER Specialists are adaptable and open to change and don’t become overly flustered or frustrated with a change in plans.
Does the applicant have computer/research skills?
While attitude is a huge part of the job, the skills are just as important. Is the Specialist comfortable with computers? Are they able to learn new programs quickly?
Is the applicant passionate about the project?
The job of an OER Specialist is hard work and requires a certain amount of passion. We do not always see the results of our work, but we need to recognize the impact we are making to our campus and community.
Will the applicant complement other specialists/staff?
Making sure that all specialists and staff have compatible working styles, personalities and will bring unique skills and perspectives is an important part of building the team.
Is the applicant self-motivated and driven to succeed?
The job of an OER Specialist requires a student who is self-motivated and able to work independently and in teams to meet and exceed goals.
This is the job description we used at Central Lakes College:
QUALIFICATIONS:
Current CLC student
Work Schedule/Hours/Days
20 hours per week for 29 weeks (September through May. No work during Finals Week, December/January Holidays, and Spring Break)
Salary Minimum $15/hour (Since we will be changing to a work-study funded position this hourly wage may change in the future)
Salary Maximum $8750/school year
Salary Type Hourly
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the general supervision of the OER Faculty Lead, the Student OER Specialist will assist CLC instructors in creating Open Educational Resources. This work includes three weeks of paid training. The Student OER Specialist will support the adoption and creation of open and affordable course content. The Specialist provides guidance and compliance assistance on copyright and fair use issues related to OER, as well as copyright use in classroom teaching and technology, online courses, published materials and other mediums. The specialist participates in outreach activities to promote open access scholarly dissemination, provides expert guidance to faculty wishing to pursue open access avenues for course development, and will consult and advise on intellectual property issues and copyright generally in the publishing process.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Commits to working 20-24 hours per week from September 2020 through May 2021 (This will change as we change our program next year.)
• Actively participates in three weeks of paid training.
• Meets with faculty to discuss course objectives, faculty vision, and student needs.
• Searches for existing open resources.
• Meets with faculty to share resources.
• Complies and formats resources under faculty guidance.
• Reviews materials for accessibility.
• Formats materials (D2L shell, Pressbooks, MS Word, etc.)
• Assists in publishing completed OER materials.
Required Qualifications
• Strong computer skills in desktop and web-based applications including:
o Mac and/or Windows OS
o Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, etc)
o Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar etc);
• Strong analytical and organizational skills;
• Strong written, presentation and oral communication skills;
• Strong creative and critical thinking skills;
• Demonstrated experience working with a team;
• Demonstrated ability to set and adjust priorities and work flow in a dynamic and changing environment and accept new challenges to realize goals with a focus on time management;
• Ability to present effectively to a variety of audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively both as a team member and independently and to promote teamwork among colleagues;
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.
Number of Vacancies 2
Desired Start Date: August
Position End Date: May
Open Until Filled: Yes
Posting Contact : Lori-Beth Larsen and ??
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Resume/CV
Letter of Interest
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