Branch Manager - East Columbia Branch

You are the dynamic leader of a team of extraordinary people who are the heart and soul of the East Columbia Branch. You lead them as they work within our diverse community, provide an extraordinary customer experience, and make the magic happen behind the scenes. You are welcoming and create a sense of belonging and fun. You earn trust by supporting and developing your staff to be the best they can, serving a branch that is an integral part of the East Columbia community.

You create and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for your staff. You embrace the opportunity to partner with nearby schools to create a fun and educational experience for youth in our beautiful children’s and teens spaces. You easily build relationships with members of our community and enjoy in engaging with them to provide welcoming and supportive library experience.

We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Branch Manager to lead our East Columbia Branch team! Candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply! We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package including 15 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team?

Who you are:

• You lead people with compassion and enthusiasm
• You motivate and inspire your staff and are their biggest cheerleader
• You have a passion for working with the community
• You actively look for opportunities to partner with our community members and to promote our strategic initiatives
• You are an active listener and great communicator
• You value development of yourself and your staff
• You are organized and decisive
• You are a master at diplomacy and judgment

A job you will love:

• You enthusiastically direct, oversee, and manage the curriculum, activities, events and day-to-day Branch operations to advance our mission and to create a great space for our community to grow
• You are present in community, attending events, participating in activities and forming relationships, to understand aspirations and assets and use this knowledge to inform service and programs
• You lead the creation, implementation, evaluation and overall execution of all Branch functions, performance/service plan to promote community collaboration
• You establish Branch culture by modeling HCLS vision, fostering positive working relationships, and encouraging creativity and camaraderie on a daily basis
• You model and ensure branch services reflect our world class customer service philosophy
• You motivate staff to achieve HCLS’ internal pillars (Authentic Values, Strategic Vocabulary, Everyone a Leader, Winning Teamwork, Community Partnerships, The Power of Us, and Fiercely Loyal Customers
• You lead a branch that is one of the busiest passport acceptance centers in the country
• You ensure staff meets or exceeds the job performance expectations set forth in our strategic plan
• You collaborate with Branch Leadership Team and staff to ensure daily operations provide our community with the best service possible
• You collaborate with managers at all levels to advance community engagement
• You serve as a conduit for communicating to staff, ensuring that employees are well informed and have the tools to do their jobs well
• You identify staff educational needs and facilitate opportunities and resources to address them
• You develop curriculum and teach classes
• You have a thorough understanding of, and ability to perform all Branch functions, filling in as needed
• You oversee and participate in the Branch’s role in A+ Partners in Education
• You serve on HCLS systemwide committees and initiatives
• You proactively seek solutions to concerns and issues raised to serving our community
• You perform ongoing evaluation of Branch materials and makes recommendations to, and collaborates with, Materials Management to maximize borrowing
• You take pride in the appearance of all public areas of the Branch and ensure it reflects HCLS’ vision and culture
• You seek out and initiate opportunities to with other community leaders and organizations to promote HCLS’ mission and its racial and social equity goals
• You represent HCLS on miscellaneous committees and boards and at county-wide events
• You perform other duties as assigned
• You adhere to all policies and procedures

The responsibilities that guide us:

• Contribute to achieving HCLS' racial and social equity goals. Please view the BraveVoices, Brave Choices initiative
• Effectively live the Pillars of HCLS’ strategic plan (Authentic Values, Strategic Vocabulary, Everyone a Leader, Winning Teamwork, Community Partnerships, The Power of Us, and Fiercely Loyal Customers), motivating others to do so as wel

Do you have what it takes?

• Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree and equivalent work experience)
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience managing a diverse staff
• Minimum four years professional experience in a public library, bookstore or customer service setting
• Demonstrated experience leading community engagement efforts
• Demonstrated experience and proven ability to work collegially and collaboratively with staff and community representing diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to motivate people, and to lead committees, and small and large groups
• Outstanding management skills and strong team building talent
• Superior writing and public speaking ability
• Tech savvy – proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and social media
• Ability to articulate and convey HCLS’ overall curriculum and vision to staff, the public, and funding authorities
• Demonstrated ability to be positive, adaptable, and forward thinking
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with diverse groups, including staff, the library community, government leaders and the community
• Current valid driver’s license

Your job will involve being on the move:

You need to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, reach, and push/pull carts. In addition, strenuous activity is required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books or arranging rooms for classes and events. Some driving may be required.

Additional Information

• Position located at the East Columbia Branch
• Grade 15: Salary range: $74,049- $129,845 annually
• Works under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer – Public Services
• Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; Monday – Saturday, days, evenings & weekends
• Outside hours required as emergencies occur
• May be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute)
• Position open until filled

EEO STATEMENT

Howard County’s diversity is its greatest asset. Howard County Library System embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. All communities, including communities of color and immigrant communities, are fundamental to our spirit of service, workforce and long-term success. Equity and empowerment are top priorities. We believe all Howard County residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. Among our goals is for our workforce to reflect the community it serves. We are actively working to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Howard County Library System takes pride in providing equal employment opportunities.