Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager



Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager

Salary

$106,446.24 - $129,142.80 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Job Number

IC #36-21

Department

The Seattle Public Library

Opening Date

07/15/2021

Position Description

Invitation to Compete #36-21:
Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager
(Managing Librarian 2)
 
Central Library, Library Programs and Services Division
 
Regular, FLSA-exempt, full-time position
Annual Salary: $102,353.76 - $124,173.36
 
The position is open to the public and The Seattle Public Library’s employees. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information.

The recruitment will be open until the position is filled. Online applications that have been submitted with a cover letter and resume in NEOGOV by July 28, 2021 will receive first consideration.
 
 
Overview
The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.
 
The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.
 
Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.
 
If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for the Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager (Managing Librarian 2) position.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager leads a team and coordinates system-wide programming focused on making Seattle a more equitable city for those who are furthest from racial, digital, economic, educational and social justice. The position supports the Chief Librarian’s Community Engagement and Technology and Access service priorities and the Library’s commitment to the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager provides leadership for staff to utilize engagement with stakeholders including community based groups, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to create programs and services for the purpose of empowering residents to have access to the information needed to achieve their goals.
 
The successful candidate will collaborate with the Library’s Regional Managers in planning, guiding and assessing the work of Adult Services librarians along with the Youth and Family Learning Services Manager to holistically address the full-life spectrum of residents.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager will report to the Assistant Director for Equity, Learning, and Engagement Services (ELES). The manager will serve as a member of the ELES Leadership Team and the Public Services Management Team (PSMT).
 
The ELES Leadership Team consists of other Service Managers and unit managers utilizing a strategic mindset to respond to complex issues with a goal for high impact that prioritizes those furthest away from various forms of justice in a continuously changing environment. Through building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues across the Library, they help facilitate and advance the work of the organization.
 
The PSMT consists of seven Regional Managers and two Service Managers working collaboratively to guide and provide leadership for the work of Public Services staff throughout the system including the development of responsive public services and innovative operational systems, and implementation and support of effective policy and procedure. Additionally, the Community Engagement and Economic Development Services Manager assists the PSMT in the recruitment, selection, training and ongoing professional development of adult services staff. As the team’s lead adviser and advocate regarding community engagement and educational efforts, the successful candidate will play a key leadership and management role in developing appropriate initiatives and, planning, coordinating, supporting, and evaluating their system-wide implementation.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Manager directly supervises a team of thirteen people that includes one Assistant Managing Librarian, five Program Managers, four librarians, one Program Coordinator, and two Library Associate IV staff.
 
The Assistant Managing Librarian supervises seven staff in Mobile Services, the Library Equal Access Program, and Older Adults Programs. Program Managers develop and implement programs and services in adult learning (basic skills and technology skills), data and analysis, digital literacy and digital media learning, economic development (small business and workforce development), library equal access program, literary programming, mobile services outreach to youth and seniors, older adult services, outreach, and public engagement.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Unit is comprised of 20 staff members. The Service Manager directly supervises 12 employees developing, implementing, and supporting programs and services in adult learning (basic skills and tech skills), data and analysis, digital literacy and digital media learning, economic development (small business and workforce development), literary programming, outreach, and public engagement. The Service Manager also directly supervises an Assistant Managing Librarian, who supervises 7 staff members developing, implementing, and supporting the library equal access program, mobile services outreach to youth and seniors, and older adult services.

The successful candidate for the Community Engagement and Economic Development Manager position will bring passion and commitment to the task of providing excellent, innovative library programs and services to residents of a dynamic and evolving urban area. The individual will maintain knowledge of local and national trends that influence the work areas while also respecting the histories of those we seek to serve. The individual will also have a deep knowledge of the uses of metrics and statistics as well as trends and issues in adult services in and beyond the library arena, and a rich and creative understanding of their implications for effective library services and staffing.
 
The Community Engagement and Economic Development Manager will be a leader, an experienced manager, and a collaborative management team player. This person will be an excellent communicator, possessing diplomacy, tact, excellent listening skills, strong group facilitation skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, a commitment to establishing an environment of open, honest communication and rational decision-making, and the ability to negotiate with all levels of staff to accomplish the Library's mission and goals.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Planning:  Plan strategic direction and provide recommendations to the Public Services leadership for the enhancement of the Library’s programs and services. Contribute current expert knowledge related to trends, issues, and practices in library instruction, information and digital services, to support development of excellent and innovative library programs and services. Implement changes and enhancements as required. Collaborate with departments, such as Collections and Access, Information Technology, Finance and Business offices, Communications, Marketing and Online Services, and Human Resources, to help facilitate the completion of work to meet the organization’s strategic goals.
 
Supervision and Oversight:  Collaborate with the Regional Managers on oversight of the activities of the system’s Adult Services librarians. Directly supervise a team that includes one Assistant Managing Librarian, five Program Managers, four librarians, one Program Coordinator, and two Library Associate IV staff. Hire, train, manage and oversee the work of staff. Coach, develop and guide staff toward the highest standards of service. Provide broad direction, advice, and training for staff to support the development and delivery of innovative, responsive programs and services for adults and families. Evaluate staff performance and collaborate with the Regional Managers in performance evaluation of relevant staff. Collaborate with other Services Managers regarding these issues at a system level. Ensure that exemplary customer service is provided to the public and internal customers.
 
Outreach:  Represent the Library to the public, to Library leadership, and in partnerships and collaborations with a wide variety of community organizations and government agencies, such as the City of Seattle and Seattle’s community colleges.
 
Leadership:  Provide both system-wide and external leadership in developing and maintaining policy, service standards and protocols. Leadership may also include chairing committees, studies, and project teams within the system, as well as with external local and national partners. Provide leadership, assignments and opportunities for staff that will inspire and encourage them to reach for excellence, and provide recognition when they achieve it. Serve as Librarian-In-Charge as scheduled.
 
Resource Management:  Ensure the effective use of resources by planning, organizing, monitoring, evaluating and measuring impact against service objectives. Research and prepare monthly and periodic reports as required/requested to support the interests of the Library and patrons.
 
Budget Management:  Assist with budget preparation, expenditure, tracking, and reporting as needed, for operational budgets, and for grant-funded projects, including working with The Seattle Public Library Foundation, Friends of The Seattle Public Library, and other agencies to develop and manage grant funded projects.
 
Intellectual Freedom:  Support intellectual freedom; assume responsibility for how the Library is perceived by staff and the public.

Qualifications

Education:  Must have a MLS or MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school and Washington state certification as a librarian.
 
Professional Knowledge and Experience:  At least five (5) years as an Adult Services librarian in a public library or community college. Deep and continually developing knowledge of trends and issues related to information, digital and instruction services in the non-library arena, and in the realm of library programs and services.
 
Leadership and Management:  Minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising staff or managing a program or project in a public library setting. Demonstrated knowledge of management practices and principles, including the ability to train and inspire professional and support staff, and promote enthusiastic teamwork.
 
Program/Project Development and Evaluation:  Demonstrated experience envisioning, planning, and implementing innovative programs and services; experience planning, implementing, and evaluating significant projects. Must be highly organized and possess critical thinking skills.
 
Technology and Informational Resources:  Must have current working knowledge of personal computers, online databases, networks, social media, word processing and spreadsheet software. Demonstrate competency with intranet content management and document management using software, preferably Microsoft SharePoint. Interest in and working knowledge of relevant informational resources, including recent technological innovations and library applications are also required.
 
Communication, Collaboration and Outreach Skills:  Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience in public speaking. Experience developing community contacts, collaborations and partnerships.
 
Exemplary Customer Service: The successful candidate will demonstrate a real commitment to public service and providing exceptional customer service. Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal communication, problem solving, customer relations and teamwork skills; a sense of humor and the ability to demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic commitment to public service.
 
Budget Management: Minimum of one year of experience planning and administering a budget.

Intellectual Freedom: A strong commitment to intellectual freedom and to the Library’s mission and goals.
 
Diversity and Inclusion: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity within the organization and throughout service delivery.

Additional Information

How to Apply
This recruitment will be open until the position is filled with application review beginning on July 28, 2021. Applications received by this date will receive first consideration.
 
Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items to be considered for this position.

  1. NEOGOV online application
  2. A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position.
  3. Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills.
 Applications that do not include a cover letter and resume will not be considered.
 
If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
 
Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: 
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Agency
City of Seattle
Address
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington, 98104