Deputy County Librarian

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The Position

Bargaining Unit: Management - Mgmt Classes, Classified & Exempt

Contra Costa County's Library Department is seeking qualified candidates to fill a vacancy for the Deputy County Librarian classification.  

The Library is made up of nearly 300 employees serving 26 communities throughout Contra Costa County.  Its mission is to “Bring People and Ideas Together.”  The Library seeks to enrich lives by delivering a consistent, high quality, and inviting experience at all points of contact.  It is an innovative, entrepreneurial and dynamic civic institution that is committed to providing exceptional services to its communities.   The Library assumes critical roles in making the communities strong, equitable, resilient, and progressive.

The Library’s core goal is to champion personal and community engagement through literacy and reading. It has implemented several programs to ensure easy, equitable access to library services for all. This was exemplified by the Library saying “Farewell to Fines” at the beginning of 2019!  By promoting Library services and programs to the community we meet our mission of “Bringing People and Ideas Together.”    

We are looking for someone who is:

• Emotionally intelligent and effective in interpersonal interactions and authentic relationship building
• A Leader/Developer/Mentor
• A Proactive and a Strategic Planner
• An Excellent Communicator/Collaborator
• Supportive of the Library’s efforts to provide equitable service to its patrons
• A Change Champion who is a visionary and creative thinker
• Able to thrive in an ever-changing environment

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Overseeing, coordinating and integrating Library technical and support services with the programs and objectives of the library's strategic plan
• Overseeing and directly supervising the Library Circulation Manager, Library Automation Lead, Virtual Library Lead and the Library Collection Development Technical Services Manager.
• Investigating, evaluating and recommending new methods and technological developments and new automated systems
• Analyzing/creating reports regarding budgets, staffing, projects, procedures and making recommendations
• Preparing, analyzing statistics, surveys and reports which measure and evaluate usage of community library collections, programs, service delivery and identifies problems and recommending solutions
• Managing vendor relations and negotiations, including the constructing of RFP’s and awarding contracts
• Leading facility planning and implementation for libraries, including new building construction, renovations and remodels
• Participating in library personnel administration in the areas or recruitment, hiring, evaluation, orientation, training, team building, mentoring, discipline, and motivation of Library employees
• Making presentations to staff, the public, organizations, agencies and governmental entities
• Coordinating and/or participating in community engagement

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work for diverse communities and with diverse groups that appreciate the library
• You will be a member of a strong and supportive leadership team
• You will have continuous learning opportunities including ongoing training 
• You will lead or participate in innovative initiatives to bring positive and transformative change
• You will have excellent benefits including: Health benefits, paid holidays, professional development reimbursement, paid admin leave

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be working within a lean organization
• You will have to navigate a public agency that is bound by agreements, policies, and laws
• You will work with different groups with competing interests
• You will have to adapt to changing conditions

Competencies Required:

• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job 
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims 
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner 
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability 
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships 
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities 
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability 
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal 
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals 
• Leveraging Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace 
• Leading the Organizational Culture: Driving the organization’s culture through establishing and enforcing norms and/or behaviors in addition to processes 
• Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change 
• Organizational Systems Thinking: Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions 
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives 
• Thinking & Acting Systematically: Formulating objectives and priorities, and implementing plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a public library supervising a large number of staff
• Experience leading teams through challenging times and changes
• Project management experience in a deadline driven environment
• Previous experience working within a limited budget
• Experience with procedure and policy writing or implementation
• Experience training on emotional and cultural intelligence
• Analytical thinker

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr. The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for 6 months.

Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.
 
Education: Possession of a Master of Library Science degree from a school of Librarianship accredited by the American Library Association or a Master’s degree in a related field.
 
Experience:   Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent professional experience in a large complex organization such as a large public or academic library or other large business, at least three (3) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing:  All applicants must apply on-line at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement by the final filing date. A completed Supplemental Questionnaire is required at the time of applying.
2. Application Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination.
3. Oral Assessment: An oral assessment (interview) will be conducted to measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. These may include, but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Professional Integrity & Ethics, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Leadership, Valuing Diversity, Organizational Systems Thinking, and Thinking & Acting Systematically. (Weighted 100%)

The oral assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place on April 19 - 23, 2023.
The assessment may be administered remotely using a computer; If so, you will need access to a reliable internet connection to participate in the assessment.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
For recruitment specific questions, please contact Amanda Monson at Amanda.Monson@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements

Please note that as of August 24, 2021, Contra Costa County enacted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees. Proof of full vaccination will be required of all employees, including new hires. The policy requirements can be found here: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/72164/2021824-Mandatory-Vaccination-Policy-PDF?bidId=

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
 It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.