DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

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 general administrative direction, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the functions, programs, and operations of the Library and Community Services Department including library, recreation, and older adult services and activities; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Assistant City Manager and the City Manager.

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.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Library and Community Services Department functions, programs, and operations including library, recreation, and older adult services and activities.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; investigates and analyzes programs and the needs of residents, now and in the future, using a variety of methods including surveys, focus groups, and community participation; develops and directs convenient, accessible, and cost-effective information services, resources and facilities to meet the changing needs of the community; develops, recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the planning, development, and oversight of library and recreation facilities.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews through subordinate level staff, the Library and Community Services Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key 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.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.  Provides staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager and the City Manager; attends and participates in Department Head meetings, City Council agenda review meetings, and City Manager meetings; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represents the Library and Community Services Department and serves as liaison to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; facilitates and develops partners and coalitions with community partners; explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Researches, prepares, and presents written reports for assigned boards and commissions; attends and participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees including the Library Board of Trustees, Senior Advisory Board, and Community Services Commission; attends community meetings; prepares staff reports for and makes presentations to City Council.
• Provides public relations by working with and providing outreach to schools, non-profit organizations, citizens, and community groups; participates in Citywide special events and related functions; oversees and participates in the full range of public relations and communication activities; determines need for informational and promotional materials and the most effective way to disseminate information to target audiences; approves design and content of materials; communicates with users, department staff, Library Board of Trustees, support groups, community groups and organizations, City staff, and City residents.
• Sets and maintains customer service standards; solicits and responds to customer concerns; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; follows-up with department staff to ensure prompt resolution. 
• Reports to, serves as staff to, advises, and/or facilitates the operation of a variety of boards, commissions, and committees, including the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Library groups, and the Escondido Library Endowment Foundation; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; represents the department in professional organizations and regional networks; participates in activities that promote the department; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community services, including operations and technology; evaluates the impact of new developments and recommends improvements to existing programs and procedures.
• 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:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive community services program including library, recreation, and older adult services and activities.
• Principles and practices of community services program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of directing community services activities and programs.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Public library funding sources and fundraising techniques. 
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City Municipal Code pertaining to the functions of the Community Services Department.
• 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. 
• Citizens, school districts, service clubs, chamber of commerce, business groups, and others that make-up the Escondido community.
• Various community needs related to the provisions of libraries and community services.
• Customer service, public relations, and outreach methods and techniques.
• Community needs and interests and a broad understanding of diverse cultures. 

• City organization and functions of the various departments in the City.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive Library and Community Services Department including library, recreation, and older adult services and activities.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Adapt the City’s community services programs and activities to meet community needs and requirements.
• Facilitate, develop, and work with groups to create partnerships and coalitions.
• Participate in the planning, development, and oversight of library and recreation facilities.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer hardware and software related to office and library management systems. 
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, boards, committees, and commission members, and the general public. 
• Exercise independent judgment within established policy guidelines. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including community leaders, public officials, public groups, department staff and the general public.

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: Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in a public library or community services program, including three years of management and administrative 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 setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 10 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 11-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

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

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

Date: December 2012
New Classification
JP/Department