Assistant Branch Manager

Position Type:
Library/Assistant Branch Manager

Date Posted:
7/1/2024

Location:
Main Library

Date Available:
TBD

Closing Date:
07/19/2024Salary Range: $37.20 - $52.09/hour
*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for the range.

Full-time 37.5 hours per week, including some evening, weekend, and holiday hours. The schedule varies.

NATURE OF WORK:
The Evanston Public Library is seeking a dynamic leader to join the team at its Robert Crown Branch Library. This highly motivated candidate will work with the Branch Manager to support and grow a staff and collection that reflects and engages with our diverse population and will plan, deliver, and continuously evaluate materials, programs, and practices in order to provide equitable access to resources. With a focus on collection development and access services, this position will work with internal staff and partners within the community to meet the diverse expectations and needs of Evanston residents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

• Works with the Branch Manager to regularly recruit, train, schedule, and review branch staff to ensure teamwork, high-quality customer service and innovative programming based on and in cooperation with community members and organizations.
• Mentors staff and identifies and provides appropriate training.
• Administers disciplinary action as needed, including oral and written reprimands, in consultation with the Branch Manager.
• Establishes practices and procedures that ensure equitable access to resources for all Evanston residents and regularly explores the frontiers of these practices and procedures based on engagement with the community.
• Maintains current knowledge of the Library's collections and electronic resources as well as other resources in the community and beyond in order to provide for the information requests of patrons, as well as teaching the staff and the public how to use these resources.
• In cooperation with the Collection Development Manager and library selectors, coordinates the selection of library materials and identifies materials to be weeded from the branch collection. Awareness of the community and its culture, interests, and needs will influence these tasks.
• Works with the Branch Manager to plan, manage, and advocate for the branch budget.
• Serves as a senior staff member in charge of the facility in the absence of the Branch Manager.
• Staffs the public service desk as needed.
• May participate in planning, presenting, and evaluating innovative programming for Branch Library patrons, including children, teens, families, and adults, both inside the library and at other locations in the community.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Must possess a Associate's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution. Preferred Bachelor's or higher
• Must possess at least two years of experience working in a public library.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
  • Ability to lead employees in a positive, professional, and collaborative manner and provide orientation to new employees and ongoing training to employees, interns, volunteers, and the public as to the policies and procedures of performing library services.
  • Ability to review and document the work of team members and ensure that high standards are achieved and deficiencies are corrected.
  • Knowledge of current supervisory principles and practices, incorporating fair and inclusive standards.
  • Ability to lead staff in circulation functions, shelving, planning, and executing programs in the library and the community independently and in partnership with individuals and organizations.
  • Considerable knowledge of and ability to use Internet search engines, word processing software, email, online computer catalogs, and various operating systems.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably in public.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, draw valid conclusions, and plan reasonable actions based on these conclusions.
  • Ability to engage with diverse community members to learn their concerns and aspirations and plan together for programming and resources.
  • Ability to prioritize many variable duties, requests, and responsibilities.
  • Ability to prepare business letters, expositions, summaries, and reports that communicate clearly.
  • Foreign language proficiency is highly desired, particularly in Spanish.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
The ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 40 pounds. The ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from indoor temperature changes. As programs and services are provided both within the library and throughout the community, the ability to organize materials and transport self and library materials to offsite locations is required.

There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.

SUPERVISION:
Under the supervision of the Branch Manager, the individual interacts with other Library institutions and staff at all levels, using necessary resources to achieve goals and objectives. Work is assigned through specific projects, partnerships, and clientele requests. The Assistant Manager prioritizes tasks for subordinates and themselves, identifying and utilizing appropriate resources to resolve problems or conduct research. Work performance is assessed through observation, project completion, status reports, conferences, and meetings. Evaluations focus on leadership, competence, public service, innovation, and morale. Assessments occur annually, emphasizing customer service, problem-solving, and adherence to classification standards. The City Code, departmental policies, City operating practices, and relevant resources provide guidance.

PUBLIC CONTACT:
The employee has regular and frequent contact with the general public.

SELECTION METHOD

TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST

Qualifications Assessment

Category List

Structured Oral Interview

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Facilities Management Office at [redacted] (voice) or [redacted] (TTY).