Dean Library and Research Services

Phillips Theological Seminary
● 901 North Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74116 ●  
● ptstulsa.edu

Position Description for

FLSA Classification:

FT/exempt

Salary Grade/Level:A19

Position Title:

Dean of the Library and Research Services

Reports to:

Academic Dean and VP of Academic Affairs

Date Created/Revised:
August 2026

Salary Range: 81,564 - 95,838+

Phillips Theological Seminary offers theological education dedicated to learning the way of Jesus in order to cultivate vital congregations, communities, conversations, and the public good. The Seminary is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Located at the trifinium of the Creek, Osage, and Cherokee Nations, and just minutes east of the Greenwood District of Tulsa, OK, better known as Black Wall Street.

Phillips is committed to justice initiatives and relational solidarity. We are committed to diversity, interculturality (e.g., Africana, Latinx, Asian, and Indigenous American communities), and justice with attention to the social realities of race, class, ethnicity, gender, and queer expressions of the human experience.

Provides direction to the library such that resources, services, and instruction provided are accessible, timely, appropriate for the publics served, and reflective of the dynamic alignment between the fields of information science and theological education.

Library representation and policies

Develops and directs library mission-related policies coordinated with institutional priorities. Member of:
Faculty Council (ex officio, non-voting), Seminary Cabinet, Library Committee (ex officio chair), Oklahoma State University (OSU) Library Consortium, Oklahoma Council for Academic Library Directors (OCALD).

Represents the library at appropriate Phillips events.

Coordinates library communications with the appropriate departments of the seminary.

Maintains professional memberships with Atla, American Academy of Religion (AAR), Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

Library Personnel Administration

In collaboration with People & Culture shapes the work cycle of each employee and implements Phillips personnel policies and procedures.

Ensures staff understanding of and adherence to position mission and duties.

Facilitates staff competencies and professional development through training, conference attendance, and other continuing education of librarians.

Facilitates minimal disruption of library operations by conducting effective conflict management.

Meets annually with individual staff to set goals, and quarterly to evaluate/discuss annual progress toward and make adjustments to goals per institutional SMART Goals guidelines.

Fills library position openings in conjunction with People & Culture and a selection committee.

Oversees circulation desk scheduling and absentee management.

Resource Management

Coordinates with VP of Finance and Administration and VP of Academic Affairs to develop and implement an effective library budget.

Ensures stewardship of materials in all formats according to professional guidelines and seminary policies.

Selects collection materials, manages gifts, conducts weeding according to the Collection Development Policy.

Directs the curation of materials in all formats according to library policy and best practices.

Coordinates with Advancement to communicate library projects.

Coordinates with VP of Finance and Administration, IT, and vendors to provide appropriate equipment for the performance of library operations.

Coordinates with Oklahoma State University and IT to provide library management software systems.

Assesses effectiveness of library resources usage.

Coordinates with VP of Finance and Maintenance Manager to develop and…