Exploring Employment Opportunities at UCF Libraries

The University of Central Florida (UCF) Libraries offer a wide array of employment opportunities for students, staff, faculty, and professionals who are passionate about innovation, collaboration, and contributing to a dynamic academic environment. UCF is committed to fostering an environment where imagination and collaboration fuel innovation, and where we challenge and encourage each other to achieve extraordinary things. UCF Libraries enhance student success and faculty excellence through a dynamic network of libraries and information professionals. Serving the UCF community across multiple campuses, including the flagship John C. Hitt Library, we provide seamless support services, essential resources, and cutting-edge technology to optimize research and visibility. Whether you're a student seeking part-time work or a professional looking to advance your career, UCF Libraries provide a variety of roles that make a significant impact on the university community.

The Allure of Working at UCF

UCF prides itself on being a next-generation public research university and a Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida. As one of the largest universities in the nation, UCF provides a range of career opportunities across various fields. As such, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. Working at UCF has its perks! No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. The university is dedicated to supporting its employees at every stage of life, offering comprehensive health and dental benefits, robust retirement plans for a secure future, and a commitment to overall well-being. Living and working in Orlando extends beyond the theme parks. It means enjoying vibrant neighborhoods, abundant natural beauty, and 236 days of sunshine each year.

Opportunities for Faculty and Professionals

UCF Libraries occasionally seeks collaborative and forward-thinking professionals for faculty positions. These roles often involve leading innovative strategies and shaping the future of academic collections. Here are some examples of faculty positions that have been available:

Acquisitions Assistant Librarian

The University of Central Florida (UCF) Libraries seeks a collaborative and forward-thinking Acquisitions Assistant Librarian to lead innovative strategies for acquiring physical and digital content. This is a 12-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment. This position offers the opportunity to strategically manage a $9M collections budget, advance research and affordable learning initiatives, and shape the future of academic collections.

UCF Connect Librarian

University of Central Florida (UCF) Libraries seeks a full-time curious librarian to provide in-person and virtual instruction and research services for students and faculty. This is a 12-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment. This position plays an important role in developing and implementing innovative solutions for library initiatives that support the scholarly, teaching, and learning goals of the university. The UCF Connect Librarian is expected to be a collaborative, strategic, and innovative team member.

Read also: Build Your Career at UCLA Library

Application Requirements for Faculty Positions

For faculty positions, candidates are typically required to submit a comprehensive application package, including:

A cover letter highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
A current curriculum vitae (CV) outlining academic and professional achievements.
A list of contact information for three (3) professional references.
If applicable, degree equivalency evaluations documenting the conferral of qualifying academic credentials.

It is crucial to have all documents ready when applying, as they must be simultaneously uploaded.

Student Employment Opportunities

UCF Libraries offer numerous opportunities for students seeking part-time employment. Around 100 students are employed by the UCF libraries at any time. These positions provide valuable experience, allowing students to develop essential skills while contributing to the smooth functioning of the library system. Here are some examples of student positions:

Access Services

Access Services supports the academic needs of the UCF community by providing access to print and reserve library materials, study rooms, and other library resources.

Circulation Desk: The Circulation Desk at the John C. Hitt Library is a great place to work. Duties may include clerical tasks, assisting with safety and security procedures, and assisting with displays, shelving, and storing. Other additional tasks that involve the processing of library books and keeping them in order. Additional tasks may include shifting items on shelves, resetting furniture, and other similar tasks.
Fines and Bills Unit: The Fines and Bills unit is within the Access Services Department of the UCF Library. The Fines and Bills unit is responsible for the maintenance of payments and queries directed to the UCF Library and its branches. This is a small unit that consists of one supervisor and additional circulation support.
Access Services Stacks: Actively seeking applications.

Research & Information Services

Academic Engagement Suite Reception Desk: The Research & Information Services Department is in need of friendly, courteous, and approachable students to work at our Academic Engagement Suite reception desk. Student workers will answer basic directional questions or refer visitors to on-call librarians as needed. This is not a customer service position; however, students should be willing to answer basic patron questions and refer them to service desks.

Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA)

The mission of SCUA is to provide services to the Library and the University community in support of research, teaching, and service.

Archives Student Assistant: The student assists the Archivist in daily collection maintenance activities and other duties as assigned. These duties may include clerical assistance, catalog searching, inventorying collections, shelf reading, and assisting with exhibits, and presentations.
Preservation Student Assistant: The student will assist the Book Conservator in daily preservation activities and other duties as assigned. The student assistant reports directly to the Book Conservator, although they may also be assigned to assist other departmental staff as needed.

Digital Initiatives

Student Assistant in Digital Initiatives: The Student Assistant in Digital Initiatives will support the scanning, processing, and accessibility of submissions for the UCF Institutional Repository (STARS) and Special Collections departments. Familiarity with digitization processes and equipment.

Learning Engagement Department

Library Student Ambassadors: The Learning Engagement Department at UCF Libraries is looking for Library Student Ambassadors. This department plans, coordinates, and implements instruction and outreach for UCF Libraries. We value student voices and perspectives when planning outreach and engagement activities. Applicants should have a love of libraries and a desire to share that enthusiasm with fellow students.

Technology Desk (LibTech)

Actively seeking applications.

Work Schedule Considerations for Students

SCUA is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Work shifts must be a minimum of three consecutive hours. Preference will be given to current undergraduate students and those graduating in May 2026 or later.

Types of Student Employment

FWS (Federal Work-Study): FWS means that you have applied for and received an award letter from Student Financial Aid.
OPS (Other Personnel Services): OPS is the classification used for regular Student Assistants not participating in FWS.

The Hiring Process for Students

When an opening occurs, the individual department supervisor posts an ad on Handshake or JobX and reviews all applications to identify students who have the skills and work schedule that meet the needs of his or her own work group. The library is open year-round and new student assistants join our team on a regular basis. Because the library employs around 200 people and houses over a dozen individual departments, hiring decisions are made by individual department supervisors. Library Administration does not have information about which departments are hiring and only becomes involved in the process once a candidate has been selected for hire.

Application Timeline for Students

Generally, the hiring process takes no longer than 2 weeks; however, some paperwork may require a visit to the ITR Business Center in the Partnership II Building in the Research Park.

How to Find and Apply for Jobs at UCF Libraries

To search for UCF jobs, current UCF employees or students should log in to Workday. Open OPS student assistant positions are posted above. If no positions are posted, unfortunately, we are not currently hiring OPS student assistants. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position. Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as Open until filled may close at any time without notice.

Additional Requirements for Certain Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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