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Job Description

Sno-Isle Libraries seeks a self-motivated professional with exceptional emotional intelligence skills who has experience managing multiple community libraries and a strong commitment to the values of equity, diversity and inclusion to serve as a District Manager. The ideal candidate will have enthusiasm for the District’s mission to engage and inspire through equitable access to knowledge and resources, have the ability to focus on the needs of individual libraries as well as the library system as a whole, and bring compassion and excellent communication skills to support and encourage staff members’ professional growth and customers’ engagement with library services. 

The District Manager will evaluate and monitor public accessibility of resources to determine and remove barriers ensuring inclusive library access to all customers, and work with people from diverse backgrounds, build and maintain relationships with library stakeholders and community leaders, and identify ways to best meet diverse customer needs. The person in this position will also work closely with Service Coordinator(s) to establish and sustain a unified vision of a community of practice with a focus on technology. 

The successful candidate will manage the operation of a group of community-based libraries in Brier, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, and Mariner area, representing the South District, to assure the effectiveness of their operations and services to customers and communities in the district. This District Manager will also be responsible for the support of the District’s Library on Wheels program. These duties may change as Sno-Isle Libraries evolves its service offerings or as the work transforms.

Sno-Isle Libraries is a large, two-county library district in the beautiful north Puget Sound region of Washington State. District boundaries stretch from rugged timberlands to suburban centers, from rolling farmlands to the ocean vistas. Set in the fastest-growing corner of the state, Sno-Isle Libraries serves more than 800,000 residents through 23 community libraries, online services, Library on Wheels, and our website at www.sno-isle.org. 

Job Summary

The District Manager position manages the operation of a group of community-based libraries to assure the effectiveness of their operations and services to customers and communities of the district; evaluates and monitors public accessibility of resources to determine and remove barriers ensuring inclusive library access to all customers, and works with people from diverse backgrounds, builds and maintains relationships with library stakeholders and community leaders, and identifies ways to best meet diverse customer needs. The District Manager works closely with Service Coordinator(s) to establish and sustain a unified vision of a community of practice in assigned area.

We Value Lived Experience

Sno-Isle Libraries is committed to embedding equity into our organization. As we engage in equity work, it's important to have a good foundation to frame the work and then provide training opportunities to build skills and knowledge.

We value and embrace the unique experiences our staff members bring to the organization and recognize how their experiences improve the service we provide.

Essential Functions

1. Support community libraries managers in the operations of community libraries.
2. Coordinate the development and implementation of a positive experience for customers at all Sno-Isle community libraries, which includes:
   • Customer service standards,
   • Facility standards,
   • Community engagement.
3. Coordinate an assigned community of practice, which includes:
   • Sustaining a unified vision for assigned service area,
   • Supporting community library staff activities in assigned service area,
   • Creating a positive experience for members of the community of practice.
4. Coordinate effective communication to community libraries staff.
5. Support the work of Library Managers in effective community relations including presentations to community organizations and negotiations with local government officials.
6. Perform community engagement activities at the regional level, which may include board membership, meeting attendance, and relationship building.
7. Responsible for leadership development within community libraries and services and for fostering collaborative and cross-departmental work.
8. Provide effective direction to assigned staff to assure the quality and efficiency of public service for the library. This includes such actions as interviewing, selecting and training staff; scheduling and assigning staff to tasks and services to assure optimum service levels and uses of staff skills and abilities; coaching staff and arranging for or giving continuing training to enhance their capabilities and to enhance quality of service; applying Library District personnel policies and procedures to such matters as granting and scheduling leave, resolving grievances and discipline matters; and promoting and terminating staff members.

Community of Practice Areas

Adult Services
Facilitate the work of the adult services community of practice in collaboration with community libraries and community of practice staff, which may include business services, information services, continuing education, and readers’ services.

Digital Experience
Facilitates the work of the Digital Experience Team in collaboration with the Strategic Services department.

Early Literacy
Facilitate the work of the early literacy community of practice in collaboration with community libraries staff and community of practice staff, which may include story times, programming, and services for young children.

Programming Services
Facilitate the work of the programming community of practice in collaboration with community libraries and community of practice staff, which may include system-wide programming such as summer reading and system-wide program support infrastructure.

School Age
Facilitate the work of the School Aged services community of practice in collaboration with community libraries and community of practice staff, which may include homework help, and programming, and services for school age children.

Teen/Tween
Facilitate the work of the Teen/ Tween Services Community of practice in collaboration with community libraries and community of practice staff which may include programming, and services for teen and tweens.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Deliver presentations to a variety of groups and officials.
2. Assist with special projects as required.
3. Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
4. Train new staff as needed.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision

The position reports to the Director of Public Services. The incumbents direct the work of Library Managers and Service Coordinators in their supervision of a full range of library work. They may direct the work of eight or more staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Thorough knowledge of library operation and administration.
2. Thorough knowledge of Library District policies and procedures.
3. Thorough knowledge of public/community relations policies and methods.
4. Strong customer service and communication skills.
5. Strong organization and attention to detail.
6. Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
7. Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
8. Ability to supervise the work of others in a manner that enhances their performance and assures quality public service.
9. Strong background in handling personnel issues.
10. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
11. Ability to make presentations to a variety of public groups.
12. Ability to handle and resolve customer issues effectively.
13. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
14. Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft Word, electronic databases, e-mail, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.
15. Ability to travel to community libraries, community events, and various other sites.

Education and Experience

1. These skills and abilities typically are acquired through a combination of experience and training including a Master's degree in Library Information Science from an ALA-accredited college or university. Must provide a Washington State Librarian certificate within 60 days of hire.
2. At least six years of related practice in librarianship.
3. At least two years of experience in supervision.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most of the work of incumbents is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to operate computers for extended periods of time. The incumbent may occasionally move objects or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

The incumbent must regularly communicate with coworkers and members of the public. The work of the incumbent may involve hostile, disruptive, or disgruntled members of the public. These conditions are not deemed to be inherently dangerous but may be disagreeable on occasion. Incumbents are required to be cordial, helpful, and skilled in interpersonal relations with others both in the public and within the Library District.

Activities sometimes occur outside the regular business day including evenings and weekends and require travel to branches and other locations within the Library District's two-county service areas to meet with public groups and library staff. To accomplish this travel, the incumbent must be able to drive and hold a valid Washington State driver's license or to make independent arrangements for such transportation.

The following job level questions will be asked during the application process:

1. How have you demonstrated the values of equity, diversity and inclusion in your approach to managing work relationships with diverse co-workers and customers?
2. What aspects of the way you operate at work have had a positive impact or created a positive impression on others? Provide a specific example.

Sno-Isle Libraries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. This and all Sno-Isle Libraries' positions are subject to transfer.

Benefits & Additional Compensation Info

All Sno-Isle Libraries employees are eligible for sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, and dental coverage. Employees working 20 or more hours per week also receive additional benefits such as medical and vision coverage, retirement savings, life insurance, and flexible healthcare and daycare spending accounts.

The Community

Sno-Isle Libraries is a large, two-county library district in the beautiful north Puget Sound region of Washington State. District boundaries stretch from rugged timberlands to suburban centers, from rolling farmlands to the ocean vistas. Set in the fastest-growing corner of the state, Sno-Isle Libraries serves more than 800,000 residents through 23 community libraries, online services, Library on Wheels, and our website at www.sno-isle.org.

Website
https://www.sno-isle.org/

Human Resources / Job Listings
https://www.sno-isle.org/employment/