Regional Branch Manager

Description

JCFPL JOB TITLE: Regional Branch Manager

DEPARTMENT: Public Service

REPORTS TO: Assistant Library Director

CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Librarian IV

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:

• Provides coaching and counseling to facilitate the development of others’ knowledge, abilities, and skills to fulfill job and role responsibilities more effectively; provides timely feedback, guidance, and encouragement to help others achieve better performance and goals; builds leadership in others.
• Oversees a variety of library services in multiple functional areas of a library or library system requiring substantial professional knowledge of and experience with librarianship theories, principles, and practices; establishes work priorities and assigns the work of the organizational unit; evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervise staff, services, and operations of multiple branches within the JCFPL system and perform the work involved in a variety of library services; provides instruction to staff in the performance of assigned work; train and evaluate staff; counsel and motivate staff; develop staff skills, with continuous assessments to ensure growth; proactively help resolve staff complaints and conflicts; communicating with leadership on issues regarding staff and patrons; help recruit, interview, and onboard new hires.
• Collaborate with other JCFPL departments to launch new initiatives, resolve staff and operational issues, and develop regional plans that align with strategic priorities.
• Develops revised methods or techniques to increase efficient work operations; compiles and provides data relating to the budgetary, programming, etc. needs of the assigned department or work program; develops and recommends short- and long-range plans for program development and operations; coordinates activities between work programs, departments, or branches within the library or library system, and with other agencies as required.
• Explains or demonstrates procedures for searching print, electronic and online catalogs, and resources to obtain materials; explains or demonstrates research services, answering reference questions of varying difficulty and explaining the use and availability of reference sources in all appropriate formats; provides or demonstrates reader services responsive to user needs such as compiling bibliographies and reading lists; provides or demonstrates procedures for searching print, electronic and online catalogs, and resources to obtain materials.
• Assists public and staff and provides formal training in the effective use of library equipment and electronic resources; designs, organizes, and maintains library materials and electronic resources by using appropriate systems of access that are compatible with the needs and styles of learning of the public; develops and conducts library programs such as library tours, book talks, film programs, reading clubs, etc., to promote literacy, foster use of library resources, and inform the community and various organizations of available library services 
• Order or recommend the ordering of collections materials and other library supplies for purchase or rental, taking into consideration priority needs and budget limitations; review collections to develop or discard/discontinue as needed; evaluate and/or select resources for delivery in the most appropriate format; may help determine content and arrangement of library material for displays, exhibits, and special library programs; may help compose publicity releases or program announcements for media, newsletters, and other publications; support staff to utilize social media outlets to promote programs and events.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and informative narrative and statistical reports; prepare and submit reports relating to branch activities, including statistical reports, timesheets, cash reports, and monthly reports; attend meetings and serve on committees as needed; submit timesheets correctly and on time; exchange ideas, information, and opinions with supervisors to develops policies, procedures, programs, etc. to provide high quality services; may apply for grants and ensures their proper implementation.
• Promote good customer service, including some public speaking involving tours and teaching library skills to small groups; effectively handle patron complaints; developing and maintaining a positive, helpful and professional approach to the overall community as well as individual library customers.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with community organizations, school groups, library associates, civic leaders, elected officials, and the general public; network and collaborate with outreach services, educational entities, City departments, and other service agencies to promote services, activities, and goals of the library; give talks before groups, organizations, co-workers, and the public 
• Stay up-to-date of trends and innovations in the fields of technology management and administration; represent library at seminars, meetings, and conferences to keep informed about current and emerging library services and technical developments and improve methods and techniques of information services. 
• Know and develop the building, 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:

• Five (5) 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 two (2) 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.).