LIBRARY PUBLIC SERVICES AREA MANAGER

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Milwaukee Public Library offers a dynamic, innovative work environment where each employee contributes to making the Library the best Third Place possible. Inspiration starts here – we help people read, learn, and connect! The Central Library serves both Milwaukee County (population 951,000) and State of Wisconsin (population 5.7 million) residents, consists of 1.6 million items processed, and is housed in a historic 457,000 square foot building.

The Library Public Services Area Manager (PSAM) is directly responsible for Central Library public services and the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL). The PSAM leads the Milwaukee Public Library’s (MPL’s) efforts in establishing its role as the State Resource Library, serves as a resource for the Friends of MPL Bookseller volunteers and 814 Building tenants, and assists in planning and administering public library services system-wide.

Library Public Service Management:

• Lead and manage Central Library public services, including subject services departments, special collections and rarities, general reference and Ready Reference phone service, circulation services, and the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL)
• Develop and direct staff in the provision of excellent customer service and programs, materials handling, performance management, collection development and maintenance, resource delivery, and the preservation of selected materials.
• Oversee the scheduling of Central Library public services staff and make emergency staff assignments. Apply and interpret policies in complex situations.
• Lead and support managers in prioritizing collection-related projects and program initiatives.
• Make recommendations in support of MPL’s strategic plan goals; work with direct reports to implement plans.
• Assist in developing tools to measure the impact of library services on the community; prepare reports and statistics.
• Assist in planning and administering public library services system-wide including circulation, reference, collection maintenance, budgeting, staffing, performance management, facilities, and security.
• Assist in preparing budget and service proposals, developing policy and work procedures, and reviewing safety measures.
• Assume responsibility for the operation of public library services system-wide in the absence of the Library Director, Deputy Library Director, and Associate Directors, either in full or in conjunction with the incumbent of the PSAM for Branches.

Performance Management:

• Model a high level of customer service and train and coach staff accordingly; set performance expectations and evaluate performance.
• Plan and conduct staff meetings, in-service sessions, and training.
• Participate in staff recruitment, selection, discipline, recognition, transfers, and promotions.
• Support direct reports who work with volunteers; identify new volunteer opportunities and develop job descriptions.

Community Outreach and Advocacy:

• Work with colleagues to strengthen MPL’s reputation as the State Resource Library through targeted programming, services, tours, training, and promotions.
• Collaborate with others to improve MPL’s virtual service point through further development of unique digital archives and finding aids to facilitate state-wide use of MPL’s unique collections.
• Monitor and evaluate local and regional use of collections and resources; develop and present reports.
• Support managers assigned to partnering organizations that support MPL’s special collections.
• Initiate contacts in the community, and work with community organizations in library-connected programs.
• Form partnerships with businesses and organizations to enhance and enrich services to a shared clientele.
• Represent the library in the community and ensure that stakeholders are aware of benefits associated with the use of library facilities and resources.
• Serve on one or more boards as MPL’s representative; assist the Library Director with MPL Foundation events.
• In collaboration with Milwaukee Public Library Foundation staff, lead the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library Docent program.

Library Facilities Oversight:

• Serve as liaison to Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement (ABLE, Inc.), to the Central Library coffee shop vendor, and to the Friends of MPL for the Bookseller volunteers on facilities, security, and signage matters.
• Ensure that changes in business hours, Central Library closures, or other emergency changes are communicated in a timely fashion to all affected parties.
• Communicate between Central Library public services staff and tenants and the Fleet & Facilities and Security managers.
• Assist in planning Central Library renovations and building projects and provide support to Central Library managers.
• Make recommendations regarding floor plan modifications and surplus furniture and equipment distribution.
• Enforce safe work procedures and accident prevention practices.
• Serve as Librarian-in-Charge of the Central Library as scheduled.
• Report activities to Administrative Team members.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The PSAM must be willing to work flexible hours and rotating shifts, including some evening and weekend hours, as well as travel to outside meetings on occasion.
• The PSAM is considered essential staff during the current public health emergency.

1. Master's degree in library science from a library school accredited at the graduate level by the American Library Association (ALA).
2. Five years of increasingly responsible professional library experience, of which three years must have been as administrator of a major library division, coordinator in a major subject area, administrator of a large branch, or administrator of an independent community library.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Graduate school transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. (Undergraduate transcripts are optional but accepted.) Transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without graduate school transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected. Student/unofficial copies are acceptable; however, your transcripts must be legible and include your college/university name, your name, the degree completed, and the date completed.

• Knowledge of modern public library goals, organization, policies, procedures, services, issues, and trends, particularly related to urban library systems.
• Knowledge of public library systems, interlibrary cooperation, and network development.
• Knowledge of library technology trends as they relate to operations, user services, and best practices.
• Leadership ability and supervisory skills to effectively manage direct and indirect reports, including assigning duties, directing work in progress, evaluating job performance, and selecting employees.
• Administrative skills to plan and coordinate the work of staff in a large, complex, decentralized library system.
• Knowledge of team building, training, and coaching techniques and principles to be able to empower staff to realize their potential.
• Knowledge of customer service best practices and the ability to instill them within the team. Ability to resolve escalated complaints tactfully and satisfactorily.
• Knowledge of budgeting processes to assist with budget preparation.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of building renovation planning and processes.
• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of complex job related documents.
• Written communication and research skills to be able to craft concise reports, policies, and correspondence.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with multi-level staff, community groups, and patrons from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Oral communication and public speaking skills needed to confidently make presentations, lead committees, and participate in TV and radio programs.
• Community outreach skills to be able to represent the library system well and maintain successful relationships with community partners.
• Organizational skills and flexibility to be able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Critical thinking skills to be able to creatively solve challenging, multifaceted problems, make sound decisions, and marshal library system resources for the benefit of the population served.
• Professionalism, honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Intellectual curiosity as well as a commitment to staying apprised of developments in library management.

The current salary range (1HX) is $70,827-$99,154 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $72,952-$102,129 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after Monday, January 4, 2021 Currently extended to: Thursday, February 4, 2021. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting, http://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO CODE 101

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.