Branch Manager

Kitsap Regional Library • Bainbridge Island, WA

32d • $91,958 - $127,291 • Onsite

About The Position

Kitsap Regional Library seeks an experienced, innovative, and dynamic manager to lead the Bainbridge Island Branch Library in partnership with a full-time Public Services Supervisor overseeing daily operations. The successful candidate will possess the ability to build effective relationships within the organization as well as with patrons, the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library, community organizations and community stakeholders. An ability to proactively recognize and work within diverse teams to respond to community needs is essential.
This location is staffed and operated by Kitsap Regional Library while the building itself is owned and maintained by Bainbridge Public Library, a sixteen-member non-profit board. Bainbridge Island is a highly engaged and active community that enjoys protected green spaces, waterfront activities, a vibrant arts scene, and a top-ranked K-12 school system.
Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula is located directly across from Seattle and is easily reached by a state ferry system that offers regularly scheduled ferry runs between Seattle and either Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Bremerton, or Southworth. The Kitsap Peninsula is in close proximity to the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic National Forest and serves as a popular destination for all types of outdoor recreation activities, including hiking, camping, kayaking, scuba diving and boating. We enjoy over 200 miles of accessible shoreline.

Requirements

• Master of Library Science Degree from an American Library Association accredited school or actively enrolled in a Master of Library Science Degree accredited program with successful achievement of a Master of Library Science Degree within 2 years of hire.
• Washington State certification as a librarian or the ability to obtain based on state requirements following completion of degree.
• Five years of supervisory/lead experience is required.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive effective working relationships with staff, patrons, Friends of the Library, local boards and other community groups and leaders.
• Ability to tactfully address patron concerns.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and issues simultaneously and to appropriately react to changing demands, priorities and situations.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment in a wide variety of situations.
• Knowledge of budget management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a diverse patron base and staff and to write and edit a variety of written materials including those for outside publication.
• Ability to effectively speak publicly and make presentations before special interest groups, funding sources, the news media and others and to clearly explain policies and procedures to staff.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, perform required data entry proficiently and utilize computer software and specialized programs.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to respond to emergencies or crisis situations, as needed.
• Excellent communication skills, customer service abilities, and multitasking are also essential for success in this role.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's principles of intellectual freedom.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and library services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrates excellence in our core competencies, which are centered on our values: Curiosity: Learning Agility, Critical Thinking & Judgement, Innovation & Improvement; Equity: Inclusive Communication, Relationship & Team Effectiveness, Accountability & Integrity; Service: Customer Service & Operational Excellence, Collaboration & Stewardship, and People Development.

Responsibilities

• Under limited supervision, manages, supervises and directs the operation of a large branch library to provide effective, current and responsive library services to the community.
• Explains and/or ensures library processes, procedures, rules and policies, as well as regulations of regulatory agencies.
• Incumbents typically manage a branch library with a staff in excess of 13 FTE's, more than 45 hours of operation weekly and annual circulation of more than 200,000.
• Directly supervises one or more positions within the branch.
• Develop branch objectives consistent with the Library Director's goals, division goals and the library's standards and policies.
• Design and implement procedures, systems and performance standards to achieve approved objectives.
• Solicit staff feedback in order to effectively achieve all of the above.
• Regularly review local data in order to identify trends, and work with staff to develop a plan to engage groups/stakeholders within the community.
• Demonstrate cultural humility through successful relationship building with diverse stakeholders within the community and by developing a strategy for how the branch location might effectively align within the Library's broader diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
• Develop and maintain effective lines of communication within the branch and division and with other library departments, branches and divisions.
• Coordinate with other departments in planning, developing and maintaining efficient workflow among departments, branches and divisions.
• Serve as a member of the Public Services Manager team. Communicate branch needs effectively, and contribute to the development of policies, projects, or protocols which apply to all branches.
• Interview, select and hire new employees for the branch.
• Establish hours of work as well as direct, plan, assign and determine the manner of work performed.
• Approve overtime and the use of employee time off.
• Evaluate employee performance and recommend employees for promotion or pay adjustment.
• Coach employees to successfully meet individual, branch, and organizational goals.
• Address employee grievances, recommend discipline and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• Serve as a community leader by engaging in and/or facilitating community conversations, as well as by becoming directly involved in community organizations.
• Provide input into the decision- making processes of governmental bodies and other groups that can affect the branch's ability to provide services.
• Establish liaison with the building owners, Friends of the Library, local community boards, organizations, and city/county governments where appropriate.
• Promote library services, programs and hours.
• May write articles regarding branch programs or topics for publication in newspapers, periodicals or related publications.
• Assist volunteer groups in promoting fundraising activities for the benefit of the system.
• Assist patrons or staff with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.
• Provide basic readers' advisory and reference services.
• Maintain current knowledge of system-wide materials, resources and services.
• Interpret library policies and procedures for the public, as well as resolve circulation, patron and personnel issues within established guidelines.
• Assist staff in planning and implementing programming activities as required.
• Facilitate programming and assist Librarians assigned to the branch with programming activities as required.
• Manage the library's facility and equipment and work with the IT and Facilities departments to ensure that the library facility and equipment are in good working order.
• May partner with the library's Foundation department in planning and fundraising, including writing or assisting in writing applications for grant or other special funding in support of new or enhanced library facilities or services.
• Address patron questions and/or complaints regarding library services, facilities and resources or the use of resources.
• Identify, address and report safety and security issues and/or refer to appropriate authorities as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, basic life, AD&D, long term disability insurance plans, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), as well as our employee assistance program.
• 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• 26 days per year of vacation leave over the course of their first year, 13 days of sick leave, and 2 personal days each year.
• Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager