Salary: $75,356.31 - $98,791.63 Annually
Location : Jacksonville, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: DLD JULY 2026
Department: Library
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 8/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Description
Performs complex administrative work assisting in the planning, directing, and evaluation of library services, programs, personnel, facilities, and organizational initiatives that support the library's mission and the strategic goals of Onslow County. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Library Director.

This position is based primarily in a public library setting with occasional off-site events or community engagements. Evening and weekend hours are required.

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Responsibilities
• Provides leadership and guidance to branch managers and department supervisors to ensure consistent, high-quality library services across all locations.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the library's strategic plan, policies, procedures, and long-range goals.
• Monitors organizational performance and recommends improvements to increase operational efficiency and service excellence.
• Leads special projects and organizational initiatives that support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Oversees daily library operations to ensure consistent service delivery throughout the library system.
• Coordinates system-wide operational initiatives and standardizes procedures among branches.
• Collaborates with department leaders to ensure effective scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Assists with emergency preparedness planning, continuity of operations, and facility management.
• Supervises, mentors, coaches, and evaluates assigned managers and professional staff.
• Assists with recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and employee development.
• Supports succession planning and leadership development throughout the organization.
• Addresses personnel concerns in accordance with County policy.
• Assists in the preparation, monitoring, and administration of the library's operating and capital budgets; reviews expenditures and monitors fiscal performance to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Assists with grant administration and identifies opportunities for external funding.
• Cultivates partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, local government agencies, and civic organizations.
• Represents the library at meetings, community events, professional organizations, and public presentations.
• Promotes awareness of library services through outreach and collaborative initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, County policies, and library standards.
• Assists in developing and updating library policies and operational procedures.
• Supports workplace safety initiatives and promotes a safe environment for employees and patrons.
• Participates in risk management, emergency response planning, and organizational preparedness.
• Uses performance metrics, statistical data, and customer feedback to evaluate library operations and recommend improvements.
• Encourages innovation, data-informed decision making, and organizational excellence.
• Identifies emerging trends in public libraries and recommends new services, technologies, and best practices.
• Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if appointed or volunteered.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of modern public library principles, practices, technologies, and trends. Strong knowledge of personnel management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, and public administration. Ability to lead organizational change while fostering collaboration and employee engagement. Ability to analyze complex issues, develop practical solutions, and make sound administrative decisions. Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and public speaking skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees, community organizations, elected officials, vendors, and the public. Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and professional standards and apply them consistently. Proficiency with integrated library systems, Microsoft Office applications, budgeting software, and other business technologies.
Education, Experience, and Special Requirements

Master's degree in library and information science (MLIS or MLS) from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional public library experience, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity. An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience managing within the library department.
Experience in strategic planning, budget development, grant administration, and organizational leadership.
Experience with public sector administration and County government operations.
Certification or participation in professional leadership development programs.

Special Requirements:
Valid drivers license.

Physical Requirements:
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing and stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).

Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget and market considerations.In order to be considered for this position, your final transcript showing the date that your degree was awarded and/or any required certificates or licenses must be uploaded with your application even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application.
Regular Onslow County employees have the ability to participate in a wide array of employee benefits including:

Health Insurance
Health Insurance is provided by Cigna and covers a wide variety of healthcare services.

Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental to full-time employees and covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children and adults.

Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is provided by MetLife to full-time employees and covers a variety of materials (contacts and glasses frames/lenses) and an annual eye exam.

North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit.

NC401k
The County contributes 1% of employees' gross salary into the 401(k) account regardless of the employee's deferral amount. In addition, the County matches employee deferrals up to an additional 4%.

Vacation Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 13.5 days of vacation leave per year. With each 5-year increment of employment, vacation accrual increases.

Sick Leave
Regular full-time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.

Paid Holidays
County employees receive paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners approves and may adjust the schedule as deemed necessary.

ComPsych Mental Health Services
The County provides Mental Health and Life Services through ComPsych to help employees and their families with personal, family and job-related problems such as counseling, crisis support, work-life resources, legal and financial consultations, and organizational support tools.

Supplemental Benefits
County employees are also offered a variety of supplemental benefits such as Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan, and MetLife Supplemental Plans.

For more information, please visit and click on the Benefits tab.
01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the Above

02

Have you uploaded your final transcript showing the date that your degree was awarded and any required certificates or licenses? This must be done even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application.

• Yes
• No

03

How much experience do you have working in the library field?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year to 3 years of experience
• More than 3 years of experience

04

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you able to work evening and weekend hours as-needed?

• Yes
• No

06

Based on your review of the position requirements, are you able to perform the position duties with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

07

Onslow County's Core Values are REACH - Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty. Which of these values resonates with you the most, and why?
Required Question