Placer County

To direct, administer, plan, and supervise one or more system-wide programs, services, major units, operations, or activities of the library, including Adult Services (Reference) or Children’s Services; to participate as an effective and positive member of the department’s Management Team and as such, participate in strategic planning, policy development and legislative analysis; to ensure the effective operation of assigned functional services and programs and to provide highly responsible, professional and technical staff assistance to the Assistant Director and Director of Library Services.

This classification functions at the manager level and as such recognizes a position that exercises full line and functional management responsibility for employees within a division and assumes substantive and significant responsibility in Library Administration.

Receives general direction from the Assistant Director and/or Director of Library Services. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct, manage, monitor, and evaluate one or more major units within the Library Department; assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures and work standards.
• Perform the most difficult professional work in rendering reference and advisory service to readers.
• Acquire system-wide designated materials to include review, selection, ordering, monitoring and maintaining library materials within assigned budgetary guidelines.
• Administer vendor contracts and coordinate activities between vendors and the department.
• Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the unit.
• Participate in developing plans and future directions of the department. Direct the preparation and administration of the unit’s budget.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and managers, and the community utilizing accepted principles of effective customer service; participate as a member of the Library Management Committee and make recommendations on major issues affecting the department.
• Represent the department in meetings with other public agencies, community groups and the public. Review, select and prepare bibliographies for system-wide selection by managers.
• Train managers and other support staff with regards to major library services and operations.
• Provide guidance in development of flyers and other media to promote library services.
• Coordinate library outreach to schools and other organizations.
• Collect, prepare assemble and analyze data and reports.
• Develop and implement programs and events within assigned unit; conduct programs and events for the public.
• In the absence of the Assistant Director and Director of Library Services, may assume the responsibility of executive leadership as needed.
• Supervise ordering, receiving, processing materials and encumbered funds.
• Adhere to Safety policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:  Three years of responsible professional-level librarian experience including at least one year of advanced journey or senior-level experience comparable to a Senior Librarian with Placer County.

Training:  Master's degree in Library Science.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of library policies, programs, program planning and implementation, systems development and library operational trends and practices.
• Principles of library cataloging, collection development and sources of reference work.
• Principles and practices of leadership, management, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.  
• Standard and accepted usage of the English language including spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Communication techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information and directing group discussions.
• Principles and practices of general and statistical research, analysis and presentation.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, selection, motivation, team building, work evaluation, conflict resolution, discipline and personnel management.
• Basic principles and practices of governmental accounting, budget preparation, monitoring, and administration.
• Techniques for locating appropriate grant funding sources.
• Methods and techniques of grant writing.
• Basic principles of marketing, public relations, and community outreach.
• Computer applications in a library environment.
• The local library needs of the communities served by the Placer County Library.
• Safety policies and procedures.  

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, motivate and supervise assigned professional, technical and clerical staff. 
•  Interpret community interests and needs.
• Observe and provide feedback to assigned staff.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of assigned job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; explain and interpret policies and programs; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve departmental issues. 
• Coordinate assigned programs and services internally, with other departments and outside agencies.
• Work closely with other library management team members and staff to provide comprehensive services to library customers and solve a broad range of service delivery, programmatic and administrative issues.
• Research library trends to identify when current practices are out-of-date and when/how to update them.
• Identify service gaps and find ways to resolve them.
• Plan, organize, develop and implement a comprehensive coordinated library service program.
• Motivate, direct, and supervise professional, technical and clerical library personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Train and evaluate professional, technical and clerical personnel.
• Select library materials to meet customers' needs.
• Develop and monitor an assigned budget.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Develop and implement department policies and procedures.
• Independently interpret and apply pertinent local, state and federal laws, guidelines, and regulations.
• Collect and evaluate data, define and select alternatives, draw conclusions, formulate recommendations and project consequences of recommendations.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; simultaneously handle many tasks and work effectively with interruption. 
• Apply computer knowledge to library applications. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work weekend and evening shifts as assigned.
• Work in a standard office environment, using standard office equipment and computer systems and attend off-site meetings.  Sit at desk and/or stand for long periods of time. Intermittently bend, twist, reach, grasp, kneel or squat while shelving, opening boxes or moving equipment; see and read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; write and use keyboard to communicate and to enter circulation and collection data; communicate in person and by telephone; file, lift and carry weight up to 50 lbs; push handcart up to 50 lbs.