Branch Manager (High Meadows Branch Library)

Position Description

Harris County Public Library (HCPL) - History

The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) system, established in 1921, began as a collection of small libraries located in stores, post offices, and private homes. Over the years, it has grown into a robust network comprising 26 branch libraries, two technology service centers, and two partner locations that provide collection and circulation services. HCPL serves the communities of unincorporated Harris County and cities without independent library systems.

In 2024, HCPL received the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor awarded to libraries in the United States. Bestowed annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), this award recognizes institutions that deliver exceptional service to their communities. The library was recognized for innovative initiatives like HCPL Connected, Enhanced Library Cards, and its Mobile Outreach Librarian program.

HCPL is also recognized as one of the best places to work, offering a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. Its dedication to employee well-being, diversity, and community impact makes HCPL more than just a workplace—it’s where individuals can grow, inspire, and contribute to meaningful change.

What you will do at Harris County Public Library :

Responsible for administration, leading, and oversight of complex library programs while integrating across multi-service areas for a Branch Library with distinct services departments. Establishes strategic priorities and implements and interprets library policies for both library users and staff. Supervises and motivates staff, models and promotes exceptional customer service, and engages the community to ensure services meet customer and community needs and align with library system strategy. Plays a key role in cultivating and nurturing strategic community partnerships. Serve as a liaison between Library Administration, other branches, library departments, and branch staff, and monitor current strategic objectives to develop future library services and programs.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Selects, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff
• Provides leadership and coordinates schedules and workflow for effective service delivery
• Provides for the training and motivation of staff in order to make full use of individual capabilities and to meet changing system demands
• Establishes work rules and performance standards, trains and coaches performance, and initiates and implements disciplinary actions as warranted
• Communicate the Branch and HCPL vision, strategic direction, and purpose, and inspire and motivate others to share the vision and work towards its achievement
• Cultivates a service-orientated approach dedicated to assisting in finding, evaluating, and using information effectively with a commitment to excellent customer service and user satisfaction
• Sets priorities for the library, aligning them with the HCPL goals and community needs
• Builds and sustains strategic partnerships with the community, local government, and other organizations identifying library needs within the community and schools, providing support to community groups and outreach programs
• Actively engage with, manage, plan, and direct branch library services and programs, customizing and organizing them to meet the needs of adults, young adults, children, material circulation, staff, and the community.
• Analyze branch needs and recommend or implement appropriate methods and procedures for improving direct services, from proactive outreach to fostering collaborations to creating programs that contribute to the community's overall well-being.
• Oversees collections designed to meet the informational needs and interests of local communities, managing the maintenance and promotion of branch collections by actively engaging in selection, weeding, and creating displays
• Respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints
• Explains and administers library policies and procedures
• Performs general librarian duties as needed.
• Work effectively with the Library Friends group and cultivate strategic community and academia partnerships
• Develops and manages the branch’s budget and planned expenditures, including gift funds, when applicable
• Prepares and submits reports and complies with and analyzes branch activities and statistics
• Promotes teamwork and cooperation through productive interactions with colleagues at other branches: Programs, Partnership, Outreach, Library Administration, and Library Circulation.
• Attends staff and administrative meetings, activities, and professional conferences and actively serves on committees.
• Maintains a safe and efficient library and monitors physical facilities, including the coordination of services and reporting building maintenance issues.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies or related field from an accredited university or college, plus
• Three (3) years of full-time library experience in community engagement and planning, collection development and reference services, budgeting and financial resource management, digital and Library technology, program management, or data analysis for the effectiveness of programs, services, and resources
• Two (2) years of full-time supervisory responsibilities overseeing and guiding the work of employees, managing resources, ensuring productivity, and fostering a positive work environment
  
  
  

OR

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, plus
• Five (5) years of full-time library experience in community engagement and planning, collection development and reference services, budgeting and financial resource management, digital and Library technology, program management, or data analysis for the effectiveness of programs, services, and resources
• Four (4) years of full-time supervisory responsibilities overseeing and guiding the work of employees, managing resources, ensuring productivity, and fostering a positive work environment
  
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Unofficial copies of transcripts are required along with the application
• Available and reliable transportation for work-related duties.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Principles and practices of professional library work, including modern library methods, practices, techniques, and terminology
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, disciplines, and performance coaching and evaluation
• Theory and philosophy of librarianship
• Policies, procedures, and functions of the library system
• Principles of administration, organization, management, budget, personnel administration, and public relations
• Establish and implement goals and objectives for the Library
• Ability to exercise initiative and act with discretion
• Analyze and respond to community needs and requests
• Excel in customer service skills of empathy, good communication, and problem-solving
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment
• Skill in self-discipline, dependability, and ability to work independently
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work with modern technology and equipment
• Proficient with the Internet and Office 365
• Proficient with Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and digital devices
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers and common decimals
• Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Professional Librarian (preferred)
• Working with all age groups (preferred)
• Library or public sector environment (preferred)
• Nonprofit organizations (preferred)
  
  
  

Certification:

• Project management or change management (preferred)
  
  
  

Language:

• Bilingual (preferred)
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | Regular
• Typical shifts are Day, Evening, Nights, Weekends, etc.
• May require attending meetings, council session, or after-hours events and off-site meetings.
  
  
  

Salary:

• $32.45 Per Hour
• Paid Biweekly
  
  
  

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Driving: Available and reliable transportation for work-related duties
• Office Equipment: Daily use of a computer, keyboard, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, phone (desk and cell). Daily use of software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, and GPS.
• Physical Activities: Sits for long periods; light physical activity that may include walking, sitting, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying
• Lifting: Ability to lift, carry, and exert up to 25 pounds. Occasionally lifts, carries, and exerts up to 40 pounds
• Vision and Hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation, and respond to verbal inquiries.
• Exposure to Environmental Conditions: The position generally works in an office setting with overhead lighting and long periods of screen time.
  
  
  

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Position: Division Director of Branch Administrative Services
• Supervises Positions: Maximum of 10 employees within these general classifications: Assistant Managers, Supervisors, Librarians, Professionals, Coordinators, Library Specialists, and Technicians
  
  
  

Work Location:

• High Meadows Branch Library - 4500 Aldine Mail Route, Houston, TX 77039
  
  
  

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.