Assistant Library Director

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide leadership and direct, plan, and organize all library operations and services, including staffing, budgets, facilities, security, and public relations. The work is performed under the direction of the Library Director, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Library Director and staff, Library Board, City Commission, other departmental and City employees, outside vendors, independent contractors, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general public library environment.

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt
Work Week: Typically Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; some nights and weekends to meet the needs of the library and community.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Assists the Director with annual planning, budget, long and short-term goals and objectives, personnel policies, and library policies and procedures;
• Communicates with all related personnel in efforts to encourage, motivate, promote leadership, and encourage teamwork in accomplishing set forth objectives;
• Assists with developing annual output measures and prepares goals for changes in service, resources, and programs based on statistical data;
• Assists the Director with monitoring all financial expenditures and budget, making adjustments as needed to remain within budgetary guidelines, including approving all purchase requisitions and check requests;
• Assists the Director with organizing and directing all library services and departmental personnel to meet all determined departmental goals and objectives as required, including all planning and implementation of employee training and staff development processes, recruitment, selection, periodic performance appraisals, termination processes, and development of management staff;
• Assists the Director in planning and conducting regular Department Head staff meetings to gather data, inform, instruct, and address current and upcoming community, patron, and employee issues;
• Supervises and mentors Library Department Heads;
• Monitors employee morale and takes appropriate action to resolve any conflicts in a timely fashion;
• Assists in directing all library activities, and addresses recommended changes to improve working conditions and service, directs the implementation of improvements;
• Assists Director in planning for, directing, and taking appropriate action on risk management, workplace violence, and security policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment;
• Performs a variety of public relations duties and promotes positive relations between the Library and patrons, local businesses, local schools, community and civic organizations, and the general public, including performing public speeches in the community;
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints from the public; recommends and implements corrective action activities;
• Assists Director in planning, managing, and coordinating major projects, including selecting and purchasing equipment, negotiating contracts, organizing and guiding project work groups, and facilitating activities based on project deadlines;
• Provides input for developing and revising the Library’s strategic plan;
• Serves as Library Director in his/her absence as required;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends board meetings, commission meetings, and other meetings related to the Library as needed;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

• Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science; and
• At least seven years-experience in library organization, operations and management with considerable (3-5 years) experience in a supervisory or management capacity.

• Considerable knowledge of the current principles and practices of public library management operations;
• Considerable knowledge of current computer technology and the application of such technology in a public library environment;
• Considerable knowledge of the principles of public library facilities design and space utilization;
• Considerable   knowledge of the principles of budget development, administration, and control;
• Ability to effectively direct the planning and general management of a municipal public library system;
• Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and direct all departmental personnel to ensure efficient operations at all times;
• Ability to plan, coordinate, control, and project costs of complex projects;
• Ability to assess the capabilities of employees and delegate effectively;
• Ability to apply personnel rules and regulations in a fair and just manner;
• Ability to exercise discretion regarding confidential matters and have the ability to make appropriate judgment based on the analysis of the situation;
• Ability to effectively allocate resources to achieve goals and objectives;
• Ability to interpret and implement various software applications;
• Ability to motivate staff to continued high levels of services;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory response to appropriate post conditional offer process;
• Must sign City Financial Disclosure form upon entry into employment;
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to obtain a Montana Driver’s License within 60 days of employment.

Salary : $120,421 - $132,330