Job Description

Title: Acquisitions Specialist
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Milner Library

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the acquisition of monographic library resources in all formats and languages and is responsible for receiving, processing, maintaining and updating the purchase order records for serial publications in all formats in the online library system. This work includes verifying information needed to accurately order requested resources, selecting and placing orders with the most appropriate source for purchase, and recording purchase information through creation of the purchase order, in the integrated library system.

This position is also responsible for verifying order selections to avoid errors and detect duplications.

Additional duties include strong interpersonal, computer, clerical, and organizational skills. This position also serves as a backup for other Acquisitions staff members.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$21.68 - $22.33 per hour

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
a. full or part-time equivalent work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
b. college course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table:
- 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
- Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
- 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
- Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

3. A total of two (2) years (24 months) full or part-time equivalent work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work consistent with the next lower level of this series.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of accounts payable or purchasing practices and/or familiarity with the publishing industry.

2. Ability to work independently, utilizing individual initiative and judgment.

3. Aptitude for accuracy and detail.

4. Detailed knowledge of library acquisitions methods.

5. Ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, and over the telephone.

6. Familiarity with the current version of the MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) formats for bibliographic records and holdings records.

7. Familiarity with the current version of the library's integrated library system (ILS), Alma.

8. Knowledge of computer systems and software packages used in Milner, as well as their related peripherals.

9. Aptitude for accuracy and detail.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm or 8:30am to 5pm depending on operational needs.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

November 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you are using college or university coursework to qualify for this position, then transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below. In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD214, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or DD-214 paperwork may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Mackenzie Chapman
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

This position is represented by AFSCME Local 3236-Clericals.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Mackenzie Chapman
Human Resources
309-438-3092
mrchap1@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.