Assistant Director Of Library Services

Salary: $136,926.00 - $187,949.00 Annually
Location : Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2023-0031
Department:Library Services
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Definition
The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say "yes," while not compromising the City's or our own integrity.
Our efforts are guided by our core values:

• Integrity
• Stewardship
• Service
• Community
• Innovation
• Teamwork

Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City's Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Palm Desert is seeking an exceptional Assistant Director of Library Services to join their leadership team. The ideal candidate should possess in-depth knowledge of technology and collections. The City of Palm Desert is planning to bring Library Services in-house from a private contractor. Collaborating with a team of leading library consultants, they aim to completely reimagine these services while working within the existing facility and designing a new, state-of-the-art facility. They are looking for someone who can use their expertise to create a magical experience and help shape the future of Library Services. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of something innovative and dynamic. Join us today and be a part of this exciting journey!
Under general direction, directs, plans, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operation of the Library Services including but not limited to: Information Services, Technology, Collections, and Innovation; assists in the strategic planning, organization, and high level management of the department; develops and implement policies, goals and objectives and ensures compliance with applicable laws, ordinances and regulations; serves as the acting Director as assigned; coordinates activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Library Services; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general administrative direction from the Director of Library Services. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical support staff.
Class Characteristics
This is a management position that manages the programs, projects, operations, integrated library system (ILS), information technology (IT), collections, technical processing, and services of the Library Department. The position will serve as acting Director of Library Services when the Director is absent or unavailable. The incumbent assists the Director of Library Services in managing the major activities and programs of the Department, including operations of the library and branch services. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day departmental activities and operations for assigned functional areas and assists with planning, development, and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. Responsibilities emphasize diverse, specialized, broad-knowledge base, and complex work involving significant accountability and independent decision-making. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional in public engagement, program management, staff development and support, as well as skill in coordinating work with other City divisions, departments, and public agencies.
Examples of Typical Job Functions
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists the Director in the planning, organization, and management of the various programs and services of the City of Palm Desert Library; directs and oversees the work of designated functions of the department.
• Direct, supervises and participates in development of the work plan for the Library Services, the ILS, IT, the website, and acquisition/technical services functions; assigns work activities, projects and programs; reviews and evaluates work products and methods.
• Assist the Director in the development and the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures; and work standards for the department; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; assists in managing the development and administration of the department budget.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve operations, and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends changes to management.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel and consultants; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; participates in the implementation of discipline and termination procedures.
• Manages centralized responsibilities for library collections both physical and virtual from acquisition, cataloging and physical processing, maintenance and support, to de-acquisition.
• Establishes and oversees the IT and ILS functions for the library, Content (Collection) Management ("e" as well as physical books, audio, learning kits, the library-of-things, etc.), MakerSpace technology, including but not limited to 3-D printers, and Technical Services.
• Supervises and leads the selection, implementation, maintenance and review of all library IT systems and cloud-based applications.
• Responsible for working with the City's IT Department to ensure PCI Compliance, compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), the Federal E-Rate program, and all network telecommunications security and disaster recovery.
• Coordinates a variety of business transactions with commercial vendors, publishers, educators, funding sources, service agencies, and other organizations negotiate effectively and ethically on behalf of the library and the City to obtain and maintain contracts with the most favorable terms.
• Prepares or directs preparation of bid specifications, requests for proposals, contracts and other supporting documentation. Ensures contracts for various services and projects are properly managed, coordinates acquisition and administration of grants.
• Consults and communicates with library staff, City Leadership, Library Support Organizations, and Boards regarding the library's IT, facilities and collection plans, objectives, programs, performance, and policies.
• Develops partnerships with other City departments to coordinate relevant projects and programs and increase awareness of Department resources, models effective communication and a team approach.
• Assists in monitoring and evaluating legislative, regulatory, and other governing body rule making changes that may have an impact on the City.
• May represent Library Services to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; serves as the liaison for the outside agency; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Prepares staff reports, other relevant reports, and necessary correspondence; present information and staff reports to outside agencies and City Council; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; may recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the library and IT fields; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Provide exceptional and professional customer service; may respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive resident inquiries and complaints.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles and practices of Library, IT and MakerSpace management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and control.
• Practices and techniques of developing grant proposals.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Considerable knowledge of modern Library Services, organization, and equipment; ILS systems, collections, sources, bibliographies, reference materials, and cataloging and classification plans; data processing applications for libraries; principles and practices of administration.
• Administrative principles and practices including goal setting, program administration, and project management.
• Principles of Library cataloging, online acquisition tools, and data analytics.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Principles and practices of public and community relations, marketing and social media trends.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable sections of federal, state and local laws and codes.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and other organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Exhibit organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Work independently with little direction; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; meet schedules and timelines; plan, develop and direct programs; train, supervise and evaluate personnel, research data and prepare reports; interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures; analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Establish and administer safe work practices.
• Ensure excellent customer service.
• Skillfully and safely operate a motor vehicle when required in the course of performing work duties.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including the City Manager, management, staff, other government officials, community groups, and the public.
• Achieve maximum public service benefit within a given budget.
• Analyze workflows and organize, assign and schedule assignments accordingly.
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, projects, programs, and policies.
• Effectively manage workplace diversity matters in a diverse organization.
• Model and practice the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Plan and prepare effective written reports and oral presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Graphic data visualization design programs.
• Website development and maintenance.
• Managing an Integrated Library System (ILS).

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education/Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in library science or related field. Master of Library Science or equivalent degree from an ALA accredited college or university preferred.
Experience: Six years of broad and extensive experience in library service experience including three years of personnel management and administrative responsibility.
License and Certifications: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and...