We are seeking a User Experience Specialist!

What is the opportunity? 

The User Experience Specialist will work closely with the Member Services Administrator to facilitate ongoing member outreach and training for PrairieCat members. They will assist the Member Services Administrator to evaluate, design, and maintain PrairieCat’s internal, public, and member-facing resources including training and documentation. The User Experience Specialist will coordinate training and usability testing with end users. Areas of responsibility include search and discovery, online catalog customization and integrations, end user applications, usability design and testing, and general Integrated Library System and library skills.

Key responsibilities include:

• Proactively identify and recommend opportunities to enhance the user experience for PrairieCat member libraries and end users.
• Develop and conduct a range of UX activities, focusing on end user- and member-facing applications and staff processes.
• Compile data and analysis into comprehensive reports summarizing findings, insights and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Serve as project manager for organizational projects and strategic initiatives as assigned, including usability testing and new product implementations.
• Serve as a member of PrairieCat project teams as assigned, working closely and efficiently with PrairieCat and member library staff.
• Lead and serve on PrairieCat committees as assigned to provide advice and support to those committees.
• Work independently with little to no supervision 
• Leveraging PrairieCat communication tools, produce announcements and share information with membership and the general public.
• Provide outreach services to membership, including usability consultations, relationship-building meetings, and customized training sessions.
• Design, create and maintain diverse types of training materials for PrairieCat and member library staff, including website and learning tools.
• Design, create and maintain promotional materials for member- and end user-facing products and services. 
• Maintain and enhance the PrairieCat online catalog, website, and other member- and end user-facing products. Implement best practices for optimizing accessibility.
•  Provide cross-training to PrairieCat staff in areas of expertise.
• Participate in cross-training provided by other PrairieCat staff to enhance support in all areas.

What qualifications are needed?

Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Library and Information Technology, Information Management Design, or related field

Experience, key skills and abilities:

• 2 years of relevant experience
• Knowledge and experience with producing and presenting training materials
• Demonstrated success applying qualitative and quantitative user experience methodologies to improve existing tools
• Experience working with a diverse set of web tools, including content management systems or learning management systems
• Understanding of current and emerging web design practices and standards
• Knowledge and experience in working with highly cooperative and collaborative environments
• Experience with Integrated Library Systems preferred
• Experience with project management preferred
   

What's in it for me?

• Starting pay between $23.49-$29.37 per hour
• Vacation, sick and personal leave
• Nine paid holidays
• Health/dental/vision/life insurance
• 37.5 hour work week
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension plan
• Optional 457(b)/Roth IRA retirement plans
• Professional development opportunities

Work Location:

Remote with in-person office locations in either Bolingbrook or Coal Valley, IL.

How to apply:

Send resume and completed application (attached below) to Chelsey Knippel, chelsey.knippel@prairiecat.org, by May 17, 2024.

PrairieCat is an Equal Opportunity Employer