Richmond Public Library is currently recruiting for a Head of Ironwood Library who is an experienced professional responsible for the planning, organizing, and initiating of Ironwood community branch services and developing and implementing new and improved methods and procedures; and ensuring consistent customer service experiences across all community branches.

This position oversees and works with staff responsible for providing Ironwood library services; develops and teaches a variety of training modules for customers and staff; ensures the successful delivery of a community services model for Ironwood library; and establishes and maintains liaison with all levels of library staff, external contacts and community groups in order to promote library services.

This role has several functions that may vary and change over time. Shifts may include evenings and weekends.

To ensure success in delivering our service model you have:

· University graduation plus a degree in librarianship from an ALA accredited library school plus sound related experience including supervisory experience OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

· 3 years’ experience as a leader of a successful team.

· A strong understanding of the library’s mission, vision, values, strategic direction, and understands the needs of the community.

· A demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and excellence in public service.

· Superior interpersonal skills that enable you to deal effectively and courteously with the public; strengthen the library’s ability to respond to diverse customer needs; and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.

· Flexibility to adapt to a changing and innovative work environment.

· The ability to work independently.

· Indigenous candidates and candidates who speak languages in addition to English are welcome and encouraged to apply.

We offer:

• An organization of real people with a reputation for innovation and responding quickly to our community’s needs. Your colleagues have a passion for literacy and life-long learning and a deep commitment to helping community by sharing their knowledge and expertise
• A library system that provides diverse materials and learning spaces, and creates opportunities to learn, connect and belong
• Competitive salary, benefits and growth opportunities

Duties:

Reporting to the Coordinator of Customer Experience, the successful candidate is a member of the library’s leadership team. This position will be experimenting with and adapting new concepts and ideas to meet the changing dynamics of modern public library service delivery.

This position is a relationship builder and people leader, will supervise a variety of regular and auxiliary staff, work collaboratively with the community, our partners and volunteers, and sit on various community and City of Richmond committees as a voice for RPL.

• Plans, organizes, initiates and supervises the provision of service in a library department; develops and implements new and improved methods and procedures; and recommends and participates in planning library services and policies related to department operations.
• Plans, assigns, schedules, supervises and checks the work of subordinates; trains and evaluates work of subordinates; leads staff in taking responsibility to ensure facility is welcoming at all times; identifies and addresses issues as they arise; participates in interviewing and recommends selection of same.
• Assesses the needs and interests of the community in the planning and organizing of department resources and programs; selects materials and maintains library collections, identifying materials to be replaced or discarded.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with community groups in order to promote library services; identifies marketing needs and materials necessary for department; may prepare publicity material to encourage use of library services; coordinates visits and prepares presentations to various groups.
• Responds to customer comment forms, suggestions and inquires in a timely manner; identifies customer service gaps and suggests and implements improvements that enhance services.
• Applies strategic perspective in decision making and takes into consideration potential impacts and synergies with other departments.
• Prepares for approval and monitors approved departmental budget allocations; prepares and maintains a variety of reports, correspondence, records and files related to the work.
• Attends library supervisor meetings; Board Meetings as required; leads department staff meetings; and liaises with internal and external contacts regarding department operations and community partner initiatives.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated progressive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively between library departments.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise and monitor the work of a small number of professional and non-professional subordinates, and to train, evaluate and recommend selection of same.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of librarianship and of the organization, procedures and services of the library system.
• Considerable knowledge of digital trends and how they relate to library services.
• Sound knowledge of the needs of the community served and the collection available.
• Ability to plan, organize and carry out assigned duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to meet the public and community groups, and promote interest in digital library services, assist library customers and to interpret and explain library policies and regulations.
• Ability to perform readers’ advisory and reference duties, evaluate, select and order materials in assigned fields for both print and electronic resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to search information and prepare and maintain a variety of materials related to the work manually and/or using a computer.
• Ability to teach and to demonstrate library resources and searching skills.
• Sound working knowledge of the Internet and a wide variety of digital resources.

Desired Training and Experience:

• University graduation plus a degree in librarianship from an ALA accredited library school plus sound related experience including supervisory experience OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• A leadership course / certificate.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in researching and recommending new services and delivery models, preparing proposals, reports, and giving presentations to Library Board and community partners regarding digital services.
• Demonstrated experience leading change and providing support and staff development opportunities for staff.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, both professional and non-professional.
• Fluency in a second language is an asset and will be compensated accordingly.

Schedule:

Re-assignments of weekly schedule or daily shift and/or location will take place as operational needs dictate. The initial schedule is a follows:

Monday 8:45am-4:15pm
Tuesday 9:00am-4:30pm
Wednesday 1:45pm-9:15pm
Thursday 1:45pm-9:15pm
Friday 8:45am-4:15pm
Saturday, Sunday Rest

Required Licenses, Certificates and Registrations:

• Driver’s License for the Province of British Columbia.

While Richmond Public Library thanks you in advance for your interest, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. A criminal record check is a condition of employment.