DEPUTY CITY LIBRARIAN

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, assists the City Librarian in planning, organizing, and administering the programs and services of the Escondido Public Library; oversees, supervises, and coordinates assigned divisions and programs; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the City Librarian.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assists the City Librarian in planning, organizing, and administering the programs and services of the Escondido Public Library.
• Assumes responsibility for and directs the overall operations of assigned services, activities, and divisions.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work standards, and priorities; develops cost-effective methods of providing services that promote and support the Library’s mission and strategic direction; develops and recommends plans for new and/or revised programs and services that meet the changing needs of the community and ensures the Library is on the forefront of future trends; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
• Organizes methods for assessing customer/community needs for improved programs and services; analyzes and implements programs and services that respond to assessment results.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned programs and divisions; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
  works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned program budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Assists in applying for outside funding for library programs; gather appropriate information; prepare applications for library services, materials, and program grants.
• Assists in developing bid specifications for materials, equipment and/or services; negotiates and administers assigned contracts; supervises the ordering of library equipment.
• Supervises the operation of Library facilities and arranges necessary maintenance/repair.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and monitors the operation and maintenance of the Library’s automation system and related computer equipment; analyzes and evaluates usage of electronic services and provides recommendations.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Librarian; conducts a variety of studies and investigations; oversees and participates in the production and delivery of operations manuals, staff reports, studies, statistical reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Participates in public information programs regarding Library services; participates in the development of marketing plans; assists in representing the Library to other City departments, the community, and professional organizations; prepares press releases; advocates the importance of the public library and its effectiveness in helping individuals, families, and other organizations through collaborative programs and projects.
• Coordinates assigned activities with those of other divisions in the Community Services Department and outside agencies and organizations.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees including the Library Board of Trustees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of library science; monitors developments related to library operations and technology; evaluates the impact of new developments and recommends improvements to existing programs and procedures.
• Responds to and resolves citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Serves as acting City Librarian as assigned.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a modern library.
• Principles and practices of library organization, system development, and service delivery.
• Principles and practices of organizational management.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Public library funding sources and fundraising techniques.
• Principles and practices of grant writing.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Library facilities and space planning principles and techniques.
• Advanced principles and practices of library science including collection development principles and strategies and cataloging and classification systems.
• Library automation principles and practices including technological trends and hardware and software systems as applied to library activities.
• Customer service, public relations, and outreach methods and techniques.
• Community needs and interests and their relationship to library materials and services.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of assigned service areas of the Escondido Public Library.
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of professional and technical library staff.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of goals, objectives, and procedures for assigned service areas.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Conduct accurate and thorough research and prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Analyze, assess, and address community needs related to the Library and recommend plans for modifying or extending library services, programs, and activities to meet community needs and requirements.
• Facilitate, develop, and work with groups to create partnerships and coalitions.
• Assist in developing and coordinating library projects, renovations, alterations, and improvements.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer hardware and software related to office and library management systems.
• Prepare effective public relations and publicity materials for media and community publications.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from board, committee, and commission members, outside groups and organizations, and the general public.
• Exercise independent judgment within established policy guidelines.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited college or university.

Experience: Six years of responsible professional librarian experience in a public library including four years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office and library setting. Work is performed primarily indoors at library facilities with some exposure to outdoor weather conditions at special events; temperature variations within the building and from indoors to outdoors; possible mechanical hazards of equipment and large quantities of books and papers; noise of crowds and groups of people; dust from paperwork.

Work is performed in 80-hour work periods, with unscheduled breaks. Extended hours may be required for adequate staffing of library facilities, and incumbents may be required to work weekends, nights and holidays. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a library and office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS walking; lifting objects weighing up to 10 lbs. from below waist to above shoulder level and transporting distances up to 500 yards; fine finger dexterity and light pressure to operate keyboards, calculators, and telephones; pinch grasp to hold books and writing materials. FREQUENT standing, sitting, bending, stooping, and squatting, reaching above and at shoulder level; pushing/pulling; twisting at waist; upward and downward flexion of neck and side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing 11-15 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 500 yards; moderate wrist torque to operate and adjust equipment such as printers and computers. OCCASIONAL climbing and kneeling; lifting objects weighing 26- 50 lbs. from below waist to waist level, with or without assistance, and transporting distances up to 10 feet. INFREQUENT crawling; balancing above ground; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from chest level to above shoulder level, with or without assistance, and transporting distances up to 1 feet; lifting objects weighing 51-75 lbs. from below waist to shoulder level, with assistance, and transporting distances up to 5 feet; strong grasp to lift equipment or boxes of books.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to see computer screens and printed documents, to operate equipment, and to observe customers and situations.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: November 2005
Revised by MH/Department