Library Regional Manager - Cascade Region

Salary : $118,996.80 - $144,643.20 Annually

Location : Redmond, WA

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt

Job Number: 2023-00215

Department: Library Operations

Opening Date: 04/25/2024

Closing Date: 5/16/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Union Represented: No

General Position Summary

King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a driven and passionate Library Regional Manager with in-depth management experience in a public library system, an aptitude for strategic systems-thinking, and adaptive growth mindset. This senior management position reports to the Director of Library Operations as part of a collaborative Library Operations Leadership Team responsible for aligning daily library operations with the strategic focus of the organization. The Library Operations Leadership Team includes nine Library Regional Managers and the Community Conduct Coordinator.

This Library Regional Manager will be responsible for staff and library services at the following service region: Cascade Region: Fall City, North Bend, Redmond, Redmond Ridge, Sammamish, Snoqualmie

Candidates will be eligible for a hiring bonus if relocating over 100 miles in order to accept a position as a Library Regional Manager with the King County Library System.

About the Opportunity:

As a Library Regional Manager you will be responsible for leading and evaluating public service delivery in library regions, ensuring optimal library operations and services that are responsive to local community needs. You will build and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with colleagues across KCLS, serving as the primary liaison between library administration and library staff in the perspective region. In this role you will develop an adept, collaborative, and resilient management team and actively manage individual and team performance. You will maintain a regular presence in assigned libraries and be available and approachable to all region staff. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Library's strategic direction and develop and execute plans which advance system goals. You will cultivate a strategic, anticipatory mindset in responding to complex issues in a changing environment.

Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant work experience, education, and training

About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.

The King County Library System is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. KCLS values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. KCLS encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. As part of this commitment, KCLS provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position.

To request accommodation, please call 425-369-3224.
Examples of Duties

Essential Duties
The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Participates in the creation, development, and communication of the vision and strategic priorities of the library and develops and executes localized plans which advance system goals.
• Cultivates a strategic and anticipatory mindset in responding to complex issues in a changing environment. Communicates system-wide messaging, regional and local happenings, to staff and leadership.
• Actively manages individual and team performance. Selects, coaches, develops, and manages performance for members of the assigned region's management team.
• Provides necessary leadership, support, and guidance to direct reports to manage and improve library operations, programs, and services, including management of scheduling and work assignments.
• Oversees management of the entire region's library staff. Ensures orientation, training, and development of staff to optimize service delivery. Encourages and supports staff development.
• Ensures the team implements and maintains excellent customer service.
• Interprets library policies and procedures and communicates them to the staff and public. Responds to sensitive or controversial inquiries or complaints related to libraries in the region.
• Collaborates with other KCLS departments to launch new initiatives, resolve staff and operational issues, and develop regional service plans that align with strategic priorities.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with civic leaders and local government officials, Library Advisory Boards, Friends of the Library, and other community groups.
• Plans and monitors assigned budgets including performing administrative record keeping and reporting.
• Participates in and leads KCLS projects and initiatives.
• Fosters positive work environments and public facilities as safe and welcoming spaces for staff and patrons.

Secondary Duties

1. Attends and actively participates on various internal and external committees.
2. Initiates, participates, and collaborates in the library profession beyond KCLS.
3. Maintains professional expertise to provide relevant public service.
4. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Desired Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Master of Library Science degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program.
• Eight years' practical and progressive leadership experience in a public library system.
• Five years' supervisory/management experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge and support of the ALA Core Values and Code of Ethics.
• Extensive knowledge of management principles and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of public library policies, procedures, and systems.
• Considerable knowledge of library technology and resources.
• Working knowledge of budgeting processes.
• Adept verbal, active listening, and written communication skills with various and diverse audiences.
• Model for customer service mindset and delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to community and the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Presentation and public speaking skills with groups of all sizes.
• Responsive to changing environments, and varied perspectives, needs, or demands.
• Effectively makes independent decisions using critical thinking.
• Maintains flexibility in an environment with many interruptions.

Professional Licenses and Certifications

• A Washington State Librarian's Certificate is required.
• A valid Washington State driver's license is required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will:

• Frequently reach out at chest level, and seldom reach down or overhead.
  
• Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use and typing, this typing may be repetitive up to frequently.
  
• Perform extensive close work including use of a PC monitor.
  
• Frequently sit throughout work shift and occasionally stand and walk.
  
• Rotate neck up to occasionally, and seldom bend at waist or squat.
  
• Occasionally operate foot controls.
  
• Occasionally lift to 10 pounds and will seldom lift up to 20 pounds.
  
• Seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment using light force.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a typical library environment and in the community for engagement activities. Incumbent must be available for varied work hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Requires the flexibility to serve on-call as needed. Encounters situations that involve behavioral issues. Travel between locations required.

General Benefits Summary

Paid Time off
It is the policy of KCLS to grant to all part-time and full-time employees:

• Annual Leave (Vacation).
• Sick Leave
• Holidays - KCLS celebrates eleven (11) holidays each year and one (1) floating holiday. Part-time employees are eligible for holiday pay if they are scheduled to work on the day the holiday falls on.

Medical/Dental Insurance Benefits
Our health insurance plans with Kaiser/Premera/Delta Dental are offered at low premium rates to all employees working 20 or more hours per week. Employees may also purchase benefits for dependents and domestic partners.

Retirement - Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
Employees working 20 hours per week or more are automatically enrolled in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) program. Both KCLS and the employee contribute toward PERS retirement benefits.

Flexible and Dependent Care Spending Accounts and Health Saving Account
Employees working 20 hours per week or more can set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to pay for family medical and dependent care needs. KCLS provides an annual employer contribution to Health Saving Account when the employee is enrolled in a high deductible health plan.

Life and Accidental Death & Disability, Long Term Disability Insurance
All the employees working 20 hours per week or more qualify for the group term life and AD& D insurance benefits equal to one times their annual salary. Employees working 40 hours per week receive long-term disability insurance.

Optional/Voluntary Benefits
Employees working 20 hours per week or more are eligible to participate in the following voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Allstate Identity Theft Protection
• Student Loan Refinance

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (available to all KCLS Employees)

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan - You can supplement any other retirement benefits you may have by setting aside pre-tax dollars in this retirement savings account.

Other Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - This employer-sponsored program is a confidential service that can provide referrals to counseling, financial, legal, child care/elder care services.
• Ride-Wise - KCLS encourages you to "leave the car at home" and seek other ways to commute to work. All employees are eligible for reimbursement of 50% of your tax-free ORCA transit pass and van pool. The Guaranteed Ride Home program is also available for staff.
• Tuition Assistance - KCLS encourages employees to pursue college, associate and graduate degrees and certificate programs where such education and knowledge bring value to KCLS. Tuition assistance, as funding permits, is available to all employees.
• Language Class Funding - The program covers classes that teach language identified in the KCLS world languages collection, American Sign Language, and English as an Additional Language (ESL). You don't need a work-related reason to study a language.

01

Please fill out both the application and this questionnaire completely. Any false or incompleteanswers (such as "see resume" or "see application") may result in your not having an opportunity to interview. Do you agree to answer each of these questions truthfully, and do you understandthat your answers will be compared to the information on your application?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current KCLS staff member still in your probationary period?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a current KCLS staff member in the 1857 union?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "yes" to the question above, please select which 1857 union you are in:

• 1857-P
• 1857-M
• 1857-S
• 1857-F

05

Do you have a valid Washington State Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

06

If you responded "No" to the question above, would you be able to obtain a Washington StateDriver's License within 30 days of hire, if selected?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a Master's of Library and Information Science degree from an ALA accredited school?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have a Washington State Librarian Certification?

• Yes
• No

09
...