Assistant Director of Libraries

The current vacancy is for Assistant Director of Libraries and reports to the Director of Libraries.  The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Assistant Library Director vacancies during the life of the list.  The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date  established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resource Director. 

Under administrative direction, assists the Director of Libraries in planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries including personnel administration; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Libraries and performs related duties as assigned.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) welcomes applications for its next Assistant Director of Libraries.   Under the guidance of the Director of Libraries, the ideal candidate will embody SCPL’s Mission – “Inclusion, Connection, Collaboration”, understanding that it is both an external and internal facing directive.  The new Assistant Director of Libraries will assume this role at an exciting time, bringing leadership experience to branches and programs as we embark on our next generation of strategic planning, migrate to a new website, expand strategic partnerships, review our staffing model and enter the final stages of planning for the new Downtown Santa Cruz Library.  They will join a welcoming team of creative, diverse and passionate colleagues at every level as well as develop strong working relationships with partner organizations and community stakeholders throughout our service area. As a key leader of the SCPL management team, the Assistant Director of Libraries will foster trust and respect, be a clear communicator, and support innovation across library programs and services. Above all they will employ a collaborative leadership style to contribute to an organizational culture of equity and inclusion and equitable and relevant services for all.  

The Santa Cruz Public Library System consists of 10 library branches and a Bookmobile. To learn more about us please go to www.santacruzpl.org . 

Recruitment #25-043

Selection Timeline: (Note: The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

• On Thursday 12/16/24 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.  To apply, submit:

1. Application - online application only.  Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 12/23/24:  Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.  Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment once all applications have been reviewed.   
• Week of 01/13/25:  In-person oral board examinations will be scheduled for top candidates, tentatively scheduled for 01/16 and 01/17/25.  
• Selection interviews will be conducted for finalists following the results of the oral examination.  

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists the Director of Libraries in planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries; participates in the development and implementation of Library System goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Oversees the Library System’s personnel administration programs, including recruitment and selection of staff, performance appraisals, and worker’s compensation services and activities; coordinates recruitment, selection, and other employment-related activities with the City’s Personnel Department.
• Establishes appropriate service and staffing levels and monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the work plan for assigned service areas; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and organizational structure; directs and implements changes, including staffing patterns and hours of operation.
• Trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Assists in the development and administration of the Library Systems budget and in the forecasting of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments.
• Represents the Library System to and coordinates assigned activities with other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; participates in community meetings and conferences as the representative of the Library System; serves as staff liaison to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries; explains Library System programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Provides highly responsible staff assistance to the Director of Libraries; conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations.
• Develops, implements and manages special projects and programs as assigned.
• Oversees and participates in record maintenance and the preparation and presentation of reports and other correspondence; directs the development of forms and brochures for staff and the public.
• Attends professional group meetings; stays informed of trends and innovations in the field of library science and public administration.
• Serves as Director of Libraries in her/his absence.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.  

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• Master of Library Science degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association.
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in a professional level library position, including three years of experience at the supervisory or management level.
• Competency and experience in two of the following library service areas: Reference or Information Services, Adult Services, Youth Services, Technical Services or Technology.

Knowledge:

• Library operations and organization, including services, activities, staffing, facilities, and equipment. 
• Principles and practices of library science.
• Reference sources and methods and other information-acquisition methods.
• Advanced collection development principles and strategies as well as tools for selection.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Public library philosophy and practice, and professional ethics and obligations.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration as applied to a library system and public library funding sources.
• The publishing industry including standards and practices.
• Library automation principles and practices, computer equipment systems and software. 
• American literature.
• Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to library services and personnel administration.

Abilities:

• Develop, organize, plan and coordinate operating procedures and information programs.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; and oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of others.
• Conduct accurate and thorough research and analysis, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations, and prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Analyze, assess, and address community needs related to the Library System and recommend plans for modifying or extending library services.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpret library policies and procedures to the public and support staff.
• Design and develop effective public relations and publicity materials for media and community publications.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations related to library services and personnel administration.
• Communicate effectively, clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing. 
• Operate office equipment including computer equipment related to library automation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Communicate a warm and welcoming public attitude and spirit of service.
• Willingness to work the Library System’s schedule of hours.
• Willingness to transport self throughout the Library System.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge at the baccalaureate level of a literature other than American.
• Fluency in Spanish, an Asian language or sign language.

• Library Director
• Assistant Director of Libraries
• Library Division Manager
• Librarian III
• Librarian I/II
• Library Specialist
• Library Assistant IV
• Library Assistant III/Library Information Specialist
• Library Assistant II/Bookmobile Library Assistant

Salary : $147,552 - $190,188