Job Description
Share commitment to public service, your passion for the public library’s mission, and King County’s vision and values – Join the nationally recognized King County (WA) Library System (http://www.kcls.org/) as the Director of Public Service. This Director of Public Service will inspire and promote organizational change through staff involvement and collaborative problem-solving resulting in workable solutions. He/she will actively demonstrate a positive leadership role within the library and in the community. KCLS, an independent taxing district with an annual operating budget of $115 million, is comprised of 49 community libraries and serves over 2 million ethnically diverse residents over 2300 square miles. In 2004, voters supported a $172 million capital bond to renovate, expand, and build new libraries across King County – in 10 years, KCLS has opened 13 new libraries, expanded 11, and renovated 11, and in 2016 will open 3 new library buildings and complete renovations on another 5. The 1,200 innovative and dedicated staff (883 FTE) serves its residents in the library, in the community, and through its virtual presence. Staff reaches 10,000+ non-English speaking families with the Library’s early literacy services and programs. The Library also has twelve Library2Go! vehicles providing convenient access to many library services for customers of every age. These community services and programs propelled KCLS to be named Library Journal’s 2011 Library of the Year and the 2012 Outstanding Civic Organization by the Municipal League of King County.
Additional Info & Requirements
Qualifications: Required qualifications include a Master’s of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited school; Washington State certification (to be completed within first year of employment); a minimum of eight years of supervisory/management experience in a public library; and a minimum of five years in a public library as a professional librarian. Additional qualifications include demonstrated ability to lead and work collaboratively in a team environment; extensive project management experience; proven experience mentoring and coaching professional staff; and the ability to participate as a contributing management team member through strategic thinking, forecasting, budget analysis, and complex problem solving.
The Community
Washington’s King County offers a remarkable blend of vibrant cities, suburban developments, rural landscapes, farms and forests. Many areas enjoy spectacular views of Puget Sound, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges and Mt. Rainier, convenient access to Seattle and all the amenities the region has to offer. King County is home to eleven colleges and universities including the University of Washington, a leading research institution, hosting one of the nation’s top medical schools. Community colleges, art and culinary institutions, and technical schools round out the area’s choices for higher education. Employment opportunities are available through many Fortune 500 companies—Amazon, Costco, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Paccar, Starbucks and Boeing are key employers. Arts, music, shopping, celebrations and festivals, and, of course, coffee, are also part of daily life in King County. For additional information on the Library and the region, visit KCLS Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/KCLSlinks.htm).
HR Info
For information or to apply, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (http://www.gossagesager.com). Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and resume as Word or PDF attachments to Jobeth Bradbury, jobethbradbury@gossagesager.com. The closing date for this position is January 22, 2016.