Library Scientist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Why work for the Library?

We're not just about books-we're a community hub where imagination, learning, and connection thrive. If you are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in the community and providing public service, we invite you to join us in our mission to connect a diverse community to resources that educate, enrich, and entertain. Ready to turn the page on a new adventure? Come be part of our team!

We offer a comprehensive benefit package. The cost for a family plan for medical, dental, vision and prescription is only $98.61 per month for 2025 and starts on first day of employment.

Starting Pay: $38.97/hr After 6 Months: $39.95/hr

We also offer:

Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension plan
457 Deferred Compensation - The City will contribute 5% of the employee's income to his/her 457 account if the employee contributes at least 1%.
14 paid holidays
Paid time off
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible spending accounts

Definition

Under the direction of the Library Director, responsible for managing a variety of administrative duties requiring advanced or specialized knowledge and skills; in the absence of the Library Director or department supervisors, may be in charge of multiple library operations; trains, supervises, evaluates, mentors, and coaches employees; interprets, implements, and enforces policy; coordinates and carries out cross-departmental or library-wide projects and training; responsible for gathering and interpreting library statistical evaluations and measuring success; manages collection development; maintains knowledge of current library science practice; and serves as a strategic partner on The Library's administrative and leadership teams.

This position may require scheduling at any library facility as well as off-site locations during various hours and shifts, including days, nights, and weekends, and have the availability to respond to emergency situations as needed.

Examples of Duties

• Creates a welcoming environment by providing excellent customer service and maintaining the appearance of public areas.
• Demonstrates commitment to The Library's mission and vision by actively promoting services and resources.
• Communicates effectively with colleagues, patrons, stakeholders, and the community by responding to queries in a timely manner.
• Communicates organizational priorities, decisions, and policies to employees in a timely manner and ensures compliance.
• Actively participates as a member of the leadership team by sharing ideas that help to make needed organizational change.
• Demonstrates effective leadership by supporting and promoting the mission and vision of The Library by recognizing issues and taking the initiative to make changes.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues through open communication and offering expertise to improve processes, systems, and The Library as a whole.
• Strategically plans for the organization through setting priorities, goals, and benchmarks to aid in growth of The Library.
• Contributes to developing the organizational culture by promoting transparency and collaboration between all departments.
• Directs problem solving at all levels by analyzing organizational impacts and collaborating with the leadership team to determine solutions.
• Provides oversight to the operation of The Library through the implementation of policies and procedures and assisting with managing the budget.
• Manages employee performance through effective use of goal setting, performance feedback, evaluations, and coaching.
• Assists in the interviewing and hiring process as appropriate.
• Prepares documentation and reports, make presentations, and reports to library stakeholders and others as necessary.
• Oversees library collection development; assigns budgets, monitors performance, and implements changes as necessary.
• Evaluates operations, measures success, and assesses needs to determine library service responses.
• Oversees all library programming initiatives.
• Serves as project manager for cross-department and library-wide projects.
• Assumes additional organizational roles that support organizational goals and objectives, including but not limited to serving as department supervisor in the event of a supervisor vacancy.
• Manages and uses software to schedule employees to meet organizational needs and assists with coverage as needed.
• Works with department supervisors to create and develop procedures and training manuals as appropriate.
• Responsible for the supervision and operation of The Library in the absence of the Library Director.

Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited college or university. Minimum five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in a public library at a professional level. Minimum three (3) years progressive supervisory experience. Certification with the State Library of Iowa required upon employment and retained throughout employment.