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Policies > Performance Expectations and Evaluation Critera —IRIS Professional Staff

Performance Expectations and Evaluation Criteria—IRIS Professional Staff

The following criteria will be considered in reviewing job descriptions, in setting individual performance goals and terms of reference, and in reviewing the quality of an academic/professional staff member’s contribution through the annual performance review. The bullets under each criterion are examples of ways a staff member may meet these expectations. It is not assumed that all bulleted items will be achieved by any individual or in any given year. All criteria, however, are considered essential to successful job performance. In addition to this list, individual performance will be evaluated against the current job description as well as the latest version of Cornell University library Procedure 28 (Evaluation Procedures for Academic Staff), available online.

These performance expectations and evaluation criteria stem from the IRIS Vision and Values statement, which places special emphasis on users. Our goal is the provision of high quality content, expanded access, responsive services, and targeted learning opportunities. In achieving this goal, IRIS staff affirms the CUL mission and collaborates with other units within CUL and the university, with compatible institutions, and relevant professional organizations.

Job Knowledge

  • Develops and maintains thorough knowledge of job
  • Pursues continuous learning to improve job skills and obtain requisite knowledge and capabilities to support Library’s goals and objectives
  • Incorporates new knowledge in anticipation of and in response to changes brought about by technology and other factors affecting job performance
  • Applies new knowledge and skills productively
  • Demonstrates relevant application of job knowledge to various assignments
  • Shares job knowledge with others within and outside IRIS
  • Anticipates, recognizes, analyzes, and solves problems

Constituent Relations

  • Maintains strong user/constituent orientation
  • Anticipates and responds to changing needs of users
  • Interacts with public(s) effectively in both planned and ad hoc fashion
  • Offers timely information, services, and support to constituents in professional and collegial manner

Resource Management

  • Demonstrates effective and efficient use of resources
  • Introduces resource savings by improving performance and productivity, exhibiting good time management, reducing redundancy and bottlenecks, automating labor intensive efforts, and instituting collaborative arrangements where appropriate
  • Prioritizes use of available resources to support CUL, IRIS, and unit objectives while maintaining essential services
  • Increases resources through successful grants, contracts, gifts, donor relations, and/or by generating revenues
  • Provides opportunities for qualified volunteers, interns, apprentices, visiting professionals, and others to support the work of individual units, IRIS, and CUL

Adaptability

  • Demonstrates flexibility, openness, and receptivity to new ideas and approaches
  • Understands change is a constant and encourages others embrace this knowledge
  • Anticipates and adapts to changing priorities, situations, and demands
  • Supports the Library’s goals and priorities
  • Shapes new approaches based on new circumstances
  • Demonstrates willingness to try new things and modify old ways of doing things
  • Handles multiples tasks and priorities

Teamwork

  • Demonstrates ability to work well in team-based efforts within individual units and beyond
  • Seeks ways to build team efforts to solve problems and achieve common goals
  • Participates in multiple teams as necessary
  • Works effectively and cooperatively with others
  • Shares knowledge and information in support of team goals
  • Demonstrates sensitivity and courtesy to others
  • Offers assistance, support, and feedback to others

Initiative and Creativity

  • Demonstrates innovation, creativity, and informed risk-taking
  • Identifies opportunities for achieving Library’s goals and objectives
  • Suggests ways to improve performance and be more efficient
  • Considers new ideas and differing opinions openly
  • Demonstrates self-motivation
  • Shows initiative, anticipates needs, and takes action
  • Contributes to the life of the Cornell community and the library/archival profession
  • Seeks innovative solutions to problems and analyzes library activities creatively

Interpersonal Relations

  • Exhibits a positive attitude
  • Is approachable/accessible to others and responds in a cooperative, diplomatic, and courteous manner
  • Demonstrates fair and equal treatment towards library staff and a diverse group of faculty, students, staff, and other patrons.
  • Exercises sound, ethical, and accountable judgment
  • Accepts and follows procedures, policies, and administrative direction
  • Maintains appropriate confidentiality and respect for individual privacy
  • Demonstrates effective listening skills

Supervisory/Management/Leadership Skills (Applies to Supervisors)

  • Leads by example, conveying positive support for CUL, IRIS, and unit goals and objectives
  • Supports cross-unit participation in team efforts
  • Maintains flexibility in programs, staffing, space, collaborations, and administrative structure.
  • Develops, documents, and implements new policies and procedures to improve responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of the unit.
  • With staff, creates and clarifies procedures, objectives, and priorities for the entire unit and clarifies objectives and priorities for IRIS and CUL as a whole.
  • Assigns duties and delegates responsibilities as appropriate
  • Encourages staff to develop new competencies and apply them to the tasks at hand
  • Involves all staff, as appropriate, in analyzing tasks and investigating alternative ways of doing things.
  • Encourages staff to identify areas for improvement and ways to implement improvement.
  • Ensures that staff are well informed about the nature and progress of change and that they have opportunities to make their views known.
  • Conveys performance expectations and evaluation criteria to staff
  • Develops annual plans and goals for individual staff members based on these criteria and job requirements
  • Provides steady and timely feedback to staff on job performance and expectations (both positive and, where necessary, suggestive feedback on improving performance)
  • Writes timely, thorough, and balanced performance evaluations and assigns fair and appropriate rankings.
  • Exhibits knowledge of and skill in applying appropriate University and CUL personnel policies and procedures, including recruitment of a diverse workforce.
  • Responds to staff members' suggestions and complaints in a serious and sensitive manner.

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