Job Summary: The Assistant Director for Neighborhood Libraries is an integral leader in the design, development, and implementation of public services related to the Strategic Plan and the highest principles of library services. Within the seventeen Neighborhood Libraries, and in cooperation with the members of the Library Services Leadership Team (LSLT) this position establishes standards for service delivery, analyzes relevant trends and data, and establishes connections within the Library and community that will benefit the library and its users. The Assistant Director, along with the Library Administrator for Neighborhood Libraries, selects, supervises, evaluates, and develops the Library Services Managers (LSMs) and the staff that the LSMs oversee.
Reporting to the Director of Public Services, the Assistant Director represents the interests of Neighborhood Libraries to Senior Staff and the LSLT, while maintaining a systemwide perspective and collaborative mindset. They must evaluate, analyze, and balance the needs of the organization, management, staff, and the community to affect the best possible outcomes for all parties.
The Assistant Director coordinates with internal departments and outside agencies; represents Neighborhood Libraries to the community; helps position CLP as a vital and relevant institution within the neighborhoods and communities Pittsburgh; and develops and supports a strong and flexible Neighborhood Libraries management team.
The work of the Assistant Director involves:
- Implementing library services that meet the needs of a diverse and changing population within the many neighborhoods and communities of Pittsburgh.
- Serving as a member of leadership cohorts within CLP to direct and administer the Library's work.
- Collaborate with library departments to make and implement organization wide decisions.
- Manages the physical, financial, and human resources allocated to Neighborhood Libraries effectively and efficiently.
- Supervises, supports, and develops the skills and talents of direct reports and the staff within neighborhood libraries.
- Evaluates and analyzes usage and other trends to make decisions around service delivery, staffing, and strategy.
- Identifying opportunities for strong partnerships with governmental and community organizations and other libraries in the region.
- Maintaining awareness of emerging needs and trends in community development within the neighborhoods and communities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
Essential Functions:
- Conceive, design and evaluate service delivery models in neighborhoods and communities that align with the Strategic Plan and the values of library service;
- Establish and maintain external communications with community groups to monitor and meet community needs;
- Select, supervise and evaluate management of Neighborhood Libraries;
- Set operational standards, develop and interpret system-wide policies and procedures for assigned areas;
- Analyze, interpret and act upon data and trends in library services, both locally and nationally;
- Participate in the creation of and planning for system-wide infrastructure processes, including budgets, human resources, facilities, security, and space planning needs for the neighborhood libraries and locations;
- Communicate the needs of Neighborhood Libraries, staff, patrons effectively to Senior Staff and LSLT as well as to share and interpret systemwide communiques and decisions to managers, staff, and communities;
- Participate with Allegheny County Library Association member libraries in relevant work to provide excellent library service in the context of Allegheny County;
- Serve as liaison to Board of Trustees and related committees on issues related to neighborhood libraries and locations, capital projects, strategic planning and other topics as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies and Qualifications:
- Ability to balance high-level thinking and planning with operational needs;
- Ability to problem solve quickly and effectively;
- Ability to supervise, develop, and lead direct reports and staff within the libraries;
- Ability to interpret policies to staff and public and employ critical thinking to address and resolve issues;
- Ability to analyze staffing needs and assure staff training, evaluation and development;
- Must understand the underlying concepts and applications of library management, electronic resources, the Internet and other bibliographic utilities;
- Ability to manage complex projects and multiple priorities;
- Ability to exercise sound, expert, independent judgment within policy guidelines;
- Act as representative of CLP to the public in a variety of circumstances;
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration as applied to an urban public library system;
- Maintain thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public library functions; including creativity and leadership, organization, administration and personnel management, and budget preparation and administration;
- Maintain knowledge of standard library principles and practices and concepts of freedom of speech, copyright, collection development, weeding, patron confidentiality, censorship and other library ethical issues;
- Excellent interpersonal, interviewing, counseling, and communication skills, including public speaking;
- Effective and concise writing communications for information, persuasion, and documentation;
- Learn, competently use, and demonstrate technology in all forms.
Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university;
- Eight years of progressive supervisory, management and administrative experience in a significant urban public library system;
- Five years of experience in relationship building and collaboration within the community.
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
- Must have ability to independently travel locally, regionally, and nationally as required;
- Must be able to work full-time hours, plus extended hours as needed, on a regular basis.
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts, which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- PA State Criminal Record Check
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Fingerprint Criminal Record Check
- Mandated Reporter Training
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, political affiliation or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.