Branch Administrator III

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! Â We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team.Â

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Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Â Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.

POSITION DETAILS

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; varied workdays and hours within Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) operating schedule; full benefits

This professional managerial and supervisory position is responsible for the general operation and management of the Urbana Regional Library, and for ensuring the delivery of quality library service to the public. Direct supervision is given to department supervisors of Children's Services, Teen Services, Circulation Services, and the Assistant Branch Administrator.  Supervision is received from the Branch Services Manager.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions. Â For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy.Â

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. Â If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

 TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• Participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension SystemÂ
• Vesting after 10 years of service
• Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care
  
  

 For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Provide leadership to branch staff in setting goals and objectives for fulfilling FCPL's mission and strategic plan; enforce, develop, revise and train staff on branch and system-level policy and procedures
• Establish priorities and work schedules for effective utilization of branch staff and manage statistics; compile and prepare reports, data and other written work
• Ensure that the library branch is open and operating on schedule
• Ensure branch security and safety policies and procedures are effective and enforced
• Assign responsibilities, supervise, direct, evaluate and provide leadership to branch staff; participate in interviewing and selection of staff
• Lead and coordinate with Branch management team to identify and solve problems and issues that concern consistency of service and best-practices system-wide
• Train and/or mentor branch staff as needed Â
• Lead project teams as assigned
• In collaboration with Library Collections, oversee input into the development and maintenance of branch collections to ensure that they meet community and regional needs
• Write grants to obtain additional funding support for special projects
• Actively support the values of Frederick County Public Libraries; interpret departmental, FCPL and systems policies and procedures to staff and the general public
• Plan and/or approve public relations and promotional requests for the branch; represent the branch and FCPL in meetings with citizens and community groups, including speaking to community groups about FCPL services
• Manage branch public relations matters; receive, respond to and resolve patrons' complaints and service requests
• Represent the Library on internal and external committees and in meetings with citizens and community groups; lead and/or participate on system-wide and branch teams
• Implement and direct merchandising and other strategies for in-house marketing of resources
• Assist patrons with general reference questions and reader advisory requests
• Assist and train patrons in the use of computerized and manual information sources; direct patrons to other information sources as appropriate
• Monitor the maintenance, repair and general condition of the branch physical plant and grounds; communicate concerns and recommendations to appropriate FCPL staff and County departments
• Keep abreast of and implement use of current technologies to enhance personal and branch efficiency, as well as patron services
• Travel to statewide and nationwide conferences and trainings, and represent FCPL in statewide committees, as required
• Actively participate in local, state and national library associations; attend seminars, workshops and continuing education activities; maintain professional affiliations to keep abreast of current and emerging trends, innovations, technology, services and other related areas of library planning and services
• Participate in and support planning and implementation of system-wide programs, events and outreach
• Perform other related duties as required
  
  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Â Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Â

• Master of Library Science degree from an American Library Association accredited program
• Minimum 4 years of recent (within the past 10 years) progressively responsible work experience in public library management which must include:Â
• Â Minimum of 2 years of supervisory work experience
• Professional Public Librarian certification from the Maryland State Office of Education, or the ability to fulfill this requirement within 6 months of hire
  
  

OR

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• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or universityÂ
• Minimum 6 years of recent (within the past 10 years) progressively responsible work experience in public library management which must include:Â
• Â Minimum of 2 years of supervisory work experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain Library Associate certification from the MD State Department of Education within 2 years of hire, plus willingness and ability to attend training sessions as applicableÂ
  
  

NOTE: A related Master's degree may substitute for 1 year of the professional or para-professional library work experience

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Working knowledge of modern management theory and practices with demonstrated effective skills and judgment in public library management and problem solving
• Working knowledge of standard public library services, techniques, principles and practices, and resources in all formats
• Working knowledge of current information technology trends and their applications for use in public libraries, and of research techniques and available research materials
• Ability to provide effective leadership, positive attitude, flexibility, initiative, and creativity in performing job duties
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, assignments, and unanticipated emergencies
• Knowledge of marketing principles with ability to effectively apply them to a library setting
• Ability to conduct effective reference and reader advisory interviews using established reference behaviors and protocols
• Ability to effectively analyze information, including written, statistical and numerical data
• Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct and evaluate the work of others, including strong and effective training and development skills
• Ability to work effectively independently, cooperatively, and as part of a team
• Ability to apply general knowledge to specific questions and use judgement appropriately
• Ability to provide effective leadership in regional library service
• Working knowledge of social media tools and techniques, with the ability to effectively communicate in an online environment to engage customers via social media
• Ability to effectively access and utilize FCPL's web-based services, computerized systems and the Internet, and the ability to effectively provide related instruction for patrons
• Knowledge of standard computer applications and devices including tablets/mobile devices, software applications, and downloadable e-format materials
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to effectively represent FCPL in the community through public speaking and media interviews
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers co-workers/colleagues and the general public, including the ability to effectively build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, businesses, schools and similar entitiesÂ
  
  

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, move, traverse and reach;Â occasionally lift up to 20 pounds and driving
• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors
• During outreach programs and events the employee is frequently working outdoors; working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) working in cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and walking on uneven ground.
• Ability to provide own transportation as needed to meetings/workshops, other FCPL branches, etc.
• Available for varied workdays and hours within FCPL operating schedule, and available for additional hours as needed for meetings, etc.
  
  

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may Include)

• An evaluation of training and experience
• One or more interviews