Job Description
The Public Library Leadership Senior Consultant position provides knowledge, skills, and resources for Colorado public libraries in the areas of strategic planning, governance, legal, policy, procedures, and library standards. This position serves as liaison to public library directors, boards, and others regarding management and governance issues related to management and governance and facilitates and supports effective library partnerships by providing leadership, meeting facilitation, and relevant resources. It also participates in the development of new grant programs and refinement of existing programs. This position collaborates and partners with colleagues within Library Development and other units within the Colorado State Library and with others on programs and initiatives and works independently on a diverse scope of existing and new initiatives, analysis of data, and evaluation of factors.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!
The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:
Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
Premier medical, dental, vision and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
10 paid holidays per year
Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org
Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
Paid professional development opportunities
Additional Info & Requirements
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Consults with, provide resources to, and train public library directors, boards, and others regarding public library administration and management.
- Informs, advises, and educates public library administration, management, boards, and others regarding Colorado statutes or and standards as they pertain to public libraries and to the establishment and sustainability of public libraries.
- Reviews and revises Colorado Public Library Standards and Guidelines.
- Develops and maintains relationships with library boards and Friends of the Library boards for Colorado public libraries; provide in-person or virtual orientation workshops for library boards and Friends boards upon request.
- Establishes strategic partnerships, innovative statewide initiatives and projects that improve the capacity of Colorado public libraries to meet community needs, aspirations, and encourage community engagement.
- Serves as the point of contact at the State Library for questions regarding intellectual freedom, and ADA.
- Plans, organizes, and delivers an annual State Library orientation for new public library directors.
- Facilitates collaboration among Colorado libraries and staff to intentionally strengthen public library sustainability, diversity, and innovation.
- Maintains active memberships in associations that are involved with library administration, management, advocacy, marketing, and leadership development is encouraged.
- Stays well informed on library trends and issues through informal self-directed learning, formal continuing education opportunities, and by attending regional, state, and national meetings and conferences.
- Serves as an in-house expert on library management and governance issues, aids other consultants in developing responses for public library staff and others.
- Develops, promotes, maintains, and evaluates programs, services, training, tools, online presence, and resources that address library management and governance topics and issues.
- Provides direct support to libraries in need by answering phone calls and emails promptly and in person; provides library management consultation when requested.
- Listens and shares in an intentional way through site visits and regular contact with assigned libraries through phone calls and emails.
- Demonstrates and interprets a thorough knowledge of libraries in consulting work and communications, at regional and national conferences, and in committee work.
- Identifies tools and technologies that will improve service to Colorado communities of interest; conducts research and assessment, then implements appropriate choices following established fiscal and departmental procedures; promotes and delivers training and evaluates impact.
- Evaluates programs and services regularly; streamlines processes and procedures for greater efficiency and effectiveness; identifies unmet needs.
- Participates as a library development team member to establish and accomplish units and unit goals and objectives.
- Attends seminars, conferences, job-related training, and other staff development programs, and serves on committees and task forces; shares new knowledge with library development team through emails, meetings, and in-house training opportunities.
- Participates actively in LSTA statewide projects and special projects; participates in the development of new grant programs and the refinement of existing programs; and consults with public library staff to aid with the grant application process.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Education Requirements:
- Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) or Master of Library Science (MLS) which must be received from an ALA or regionally accredited institution.
- Five years of public library administration or seven years of public library upper management experience.
The Community
Library Development uses data driven, research-based and -informed practices to provide exceptional statewide programs, services, and resources for public, k-12, academic and special library communities in Colorado as a unit of the Colorado State Library within the Colorado Department of Education. Library Development lives into its values of leadership, innovation, and service by practicing curiosity, connection, and reflection.
HR Info
Minimum Experience and Knowledge Requirements:
- Knowledge of project planning, management, and evaluation
- Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, and implement statewide projects and programs for various library communities of interest, monitor, assess, and seek out external funding sources for programs and projects that support library programs and services
- Demonstrated ability to assist in writing grant applications and managing parts of grant funded projects
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships in complex and/or difficult situations to achieve work goals and serve as expert resource in working with internal and external organizations
- Demonstrated ability to plan and develop long-term, strategic partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective collaborations and relationships with other libraries in the state
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a role model and coach others in building strong working relationships; establish and maintain effective verbal and written communications with administration, management, peers, staff, and library customers
- Demonstrated ability to communicate information about major and/or complex situations to internal and external audiences and serve as a technical resource in developing responses to external audiences
- Demonstrated ability to prepare complex reports, advise others in report preparation and presentation; apply full knowledge of the Federal Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program
- Demonstrated ability to identify training needs, develop/modify instructional materials, and design/conduct workshops and training for others including public library boards and staff of libraries across the state
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate library instruction using appropriate assessment techniques
- Demonstrated ability to advise and negotiate with clients to address dynamic and difficult issues which require an in-depth understanding of the program/organizational culture, issues, and work relationships
- Demonstrated ability to guide and coach others in evaluating and resolving complex operational issues and coach and lead others in providing effective, responsive, timely consultation services as well as enhance collaboration among individuals and groups and build consensus