Outreach/Mobile Branch Manager

Description

JCFPL JOB TITLE: Branch Manager – Outreach/Mobile Branch

DEPARTMENT: Outreach 

REPORTS TO: Assistant Library Director

CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Librarian III 

WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (35 hours/week). May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed. 

JOB DUTIES:  

• Manage the day to day operations of the library department, effectively coordinating activities involving routine to complex issues with system-wide impact, like creating staff schedules; adhering to, explaining, and recommending policies and rules to staff and patrons; overseeing building maintenance; assisting patrons at the circulation desk or with technology; answer reference questions; conduct readers’ advisory; ensure adequate staff is scheduled to run the branch each day and fill in staffing gaps 
• Supervise and train staff; assign tasks and projects to staff and volunteers; train and evaluate staff; counsel and motivate staff; develop staff skills, with continuous assessments to ensure growth; proactively help resolve staff complaints and conflicts; communicate with leadership on issues regarding staff and patrons; help recruit, interview, and onboard new hires; foster and maintain a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work environment 
• Plan, coordinate, implement and upgrade existing programs in assigned area; coordinate programming for all ages; identify program deficiencies and develop corrective action strategies in support of established goals; coordinate, prioritize and assign system-wide tasks and projects; track and review work progress and activities;  develop rule proposals and adoption documents to implement programs in assigned area; respond to requests for information regarding program activities or requirements; share program information with Communications team, including photos, blurbs, etc.; may compose publicity releases, newsletters, etc.; collaborate with Program Coordinators to host programming 
• Coordinate, prioritize and assign tasks and projects; track and review work progress and activities; set goals for the department; organize and conduct training/education workshops  
• Manage collection development and budget for the department, including weeding, buying, and shelf-reading the department collection; compile and submit book orders; complete item requests; create displays, special sections, etc. to support collection circulation  
• Prepare and submit reports relating to department activities, including statistical reports, timesheets, cash reports, and monthly reports; attend meetings and serve on committees as needed; submit timesheets correctly and on time; monitor expenditure of budgeted funds; establishes business relationships with potential funding sources via phone call, visit, and/or letter of inquiry  
• Participate in the development and implementation of department/agency initiatives; develop and monitor program evaluation strategies; supervise and/or conduct the more difficult onsite evaluations or audits to ensure compliance with regulations and/or contract terms; prepare related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations; supervise the preparation of, and/or prepares informational materials such as manuals, guides and handbooks 
• Promote good customer service, including some public speaking involving tours and teaching library skills; effectively handle patron complaints; develop and maintain a positive, helpful and professional approach to the overall community as well as individual library customers; meet the needs of a diverse community 
• Network and collaborate with outreach services, educational entities, City departments, and other service agencies to promote services, activities, and goals of the library; Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other State and local code enforcement officials; networks and collaborates with library branches, educational entities, City departments, and other service agencies to promote services, activities, and goals of the library   
• Stay up-to-date of trends and innovations in the fields of technology management and administration; attend conferences; network with staff from other library systems; represent JCFPL at seminars and meetings of professional organizations; improve ADA accessibility (physical and digital access) 
• May research funding sources, develop and review grant applications, and write proposals; may negotiate and monitor contracts or grants; may conduct onsite evaluations or audits to monitor compliance with federal, State or local regulations; may prepare related reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations; may serve as a program liaison to a variety of parties including federal, State and local government officials and providers   
• Know and develop the Outreach vehicles and Outreach spaces, consistently monitor physical location and work closely with facilities management staff for preventive maintenance 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

CORE COMPETENCIES:  

Support/Collaboration with Library Director and Leadership Team 

• Assists with initiatives to execute enterprise-wide deliverables by monitoring individual department-level operational plans, encouraging strategic use/coordination of resources and eliminating operational obstacles
• Performs a variety of responsibilities inherent in managing system-wide services and staff including timely and quality decisions, process management, conflict management, motivating and developing staff, and policy development and implementation
• Understands the nuances of local politics and how to work with mayors, city managers, and other elected officials 

Communication/Collaboration 

• Communicates effectively using a variety of methods
• Effectively communicates relevant and timely information to appropriate stakeholders
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with others to achieve common goals
• Works effectively on teams with strong team-building skills and attitudes
• Applies effective strategies to manage organizational politics, conflict and difficult coworker behaviors
• Communicates effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Selects and applies the most appropriate and effective communication means to meet situational needs 

Customer Service 

• Contributes to and models customer service standards that enhance the user experience
• Models standards and practices for the delivery of quality internal and external customer service
• Applies customer service skills to enhance the level of user satisfaction
• Applies effective techniques to address difficult situations with users and staff
• Understands and acts in accordance with the basic values and ethics of library service 

Leadership 

• Aligns efforts with the vision and direction of the organization
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and behavior, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Employs sound project management principles and procedures in the planning and implementation of programs and services
• Anticipates and adapts to change and challenges effectively
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with others to achieve common goals
• Works effectively on teams with strong team-building skills and attitudes
• Applies effective strategies to manage organizational politics, conflict and difficult coworker behaviors
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Uses leadership skills to provide vision and guidance to library staff, board members and the community
• Contributes effective strategies and decisions regarding library services and resources
• Embraces change and fosters understanding and acceptance by all stakeholders
• Contributes to a productive workforce through effective recruitment and selection
• Leads and empowers employees to deliver effective, high-quality library service
• Establishes effective strategies for performance management
• Leads work teams with clear direction and effective communication
• Monitors and evaluates projects and adapts as needed
• Performs ongoing evaluation to gauge the success of division and enterprise-wide initiatives, programs, and services 

Professional Development 

• Manages the development of one’s own learning and ongoing improvement of skills and knowledge
• Uses creative and innovative approaches
• Establishes strategies and long-range initiatives to create a learning environment within the division and the library
• Plans for and supports staff career development opportunities
• Contributes to the development and implementation of a culture that embraces ongoing learning 

Community Engagement 

• Demonstrates the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services
• Maintains positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library’s values, services, accomplishments and needs to all stakeholders
• Builds relationships and support for the library with community organizations
• Contributes to creating a welcoming and user-friendly physical environment that encourages all community members to use library services 

Technology 

• Performs basic functions of email, calendar applications, and task management
• Understands and uses basic computer hardware, peripherals, software, and operating system functions
• Demonstrates information literacy and understands common security protocols related to Internet use 

Requirements

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:  

• Four (4) years of library experience demonstrating a practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools such as ILS (Integrated Library Systems), shelving arrangements, Dewey Decimal Classification System, and equipment, and one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
• A Master’s degree in Library or Information Science in a library program accredited by the American Library Association or from a New Jersey college Master’s program in Library Science that has been deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison College.  

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT SKILLS:  

• Knowledge of library administration and management techniques.  
• Ability to manage and administer a library program.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend, and utilize approved public library standards, methods, techniques, budgeting systems, and classification and pay plans.  
• Knowledge of Jersey City’s population, geography, and/or local government.
• Facility in a non-English language spoken in Jersey City (such as Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog, etc.).