Associate Professor or Full Professor/ Department Chair - Engagement and Outreach Librarian

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting an Associate or Full Professor/Department Chair to join our CWU Libraries team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Engagement and Outreach Librarian actively cultivates relationships and collaborates with university and community partners to inform, design, deliver, and promote library learning opportunities that support student success. As a member of CWU Libraries faculty, this position provides instruction, research support, and outreach services for students and faculty in a wide variety of academic disciplines.

As the Libraries Department Chair, the incumbent provides leadership for a dynamic team of faculty librarians, facilitates departmental initiatives and services, and collaborates with other library units as a member of the Libraries Supervisors Team. The chair also participates in faculty and professional activities, including service on university and departmental committees and engagement with professional associations. Faculty will integrate CWUs vision, mission, and values and create a learning environment that fosters student success and institutional excellence. Department chairs serve four-year terms.

Minimum Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

• ALA-accredited masters degree in library/information science or equivalent terminal degree.

• Associate Professor: minimum of 6 years of professional experience in an academic library.

• Professor: minimum of 10 years of professional experience in an academic library.

• Working knowledge in outreach, programming, and assessment.

• Ability to work with a wide range of faculty, students, administrators, staff and general public; experience in team building, fostering effective communication and collaboration across departments and with people with broadly varying technical skill levels.

• Evidence of flexibility, enthusiasm, and collegiality, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, and work effectively with faculty, students, and staff.

• Superior communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership experience.

• Scholarship and service profile commensurate with a tenure appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.

• As a tenured faculty member, the successful applicant will be expected to practice effective professional activities/teaching, conduct scholarly/creative activity, and perform professional, university and community service to meet the requirements specified for the advancement in rank and the awarding of tenure.

Preferred Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

• Experience successfully leading and implementing department changes.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships and partnerships.
• Experience developing and implementing effective communication, outreach, or marketing materials.
• Experience with STEM areas of research or instruction.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Spanish language fluency.
• Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into programming or information literacy instruction.
• Research program that that demonstrates an ability to contribute to CWUs vision to be a model learning community of access and opportunity.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Annual Salary:

• Associate Professor: $93,207 - $96,000 based on a full-time twelve-month appointment;
• Professor: $110,200 - $113,505 based on a full-time twelve-month appointment;
• Annual Chair stipend: $6,750.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Appointment: Full-Time, Tenure-Track, 12 Month Appointment. Central Washington University is on the quarter system with appointments from mid-September through mid-June.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance. CWU Benefits, Perks & Discounts Overview.

Additional Information: For additional information about the University, visit: http://www.cwu.edu

For additional information about Ellensburg, visit: http://www.myellensburg.com

OR http://www.kittitascountychamber.com

NOTE: Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in this position and clearly demonstrating how your education and experience qualifies you to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting.
• Curriculum Vitae including work history, education, training, and contact information for three professional references; and
• Unofficial copies of transcripts of degrees held

Screening Begins: July 23, 2026

NOTE: Although copies of transcripts are acceptable for application purposes, all job offers are contingent upon verification of highest degree. Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Sydney Thompson

Title: Dean of Libraries

Email: Sydney.Thompson5@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-1306

Website: www.lib.cwu.edu/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

The conditions of employment with Central Washington University are set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Central Washington University and United Faculty of Central, University policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement may be found here: CWU Faculty Relations.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.