Library Director - Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester

Library Director - Cragin Memorial Library, Town of Colchester. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Plans, develops, administers, organizes, directs and manages all aspects of town library services in conformity with the policies established by the Board of Selectman. Management duties include those related to personnel, budget, collection development, building maintenance, and library operations. SUPERVISOR: Works under the direct supervision of the First Selectman. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises the work of all employees and volunteers assigned to the Library and its programs. WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (primarily); however, often requires evening and weekend hours as programs/events dictate. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The following is an illustrative and non-exhaustive list of duties: 1. Planning and Policy: a. Conducts an ongoing planning process which assesses community needs and implements programs to meet those needs in an effective and efficient way. b. Establishes goals and objectives for self and staff. c. Evaluates program of services and makes changes as necessary. d. Initiates and develops programs anticipation and/or in response to community needs. e. Evaluates developments in the library profession and other fields as they may relate to library functions for applicability to local needs. f. Formulates policies governing the library and recommends them to the Board of Selectmen through the First Selectman. 2. Fiscal Management: a. Directs, prepares and administers the annual budget based on established goals. b. Researches and evaluates cooperative purchasing opportunities with other libraries. c. Prepares grant proposals to state agencies and other organizations to fund new or supplemental programs and/or service needs, and prepares and submits applicable reports. 3. Personnel Management: a. Formulates and administers a plan for the effective utilization of staff and volunteers in the delivery of library services. b. Recruits, selects, trains, promotes and terminates library personnel with First Selectman approval. c. Develops in-service training and continuing education opportunities for staff. d. Administers personnel policies. e. Manages staff and coordinates staff functions in accordance with established philosophy of library service. f. Participates in performance evaluations and planning. g. Provides leadership in effective working relationships and communication; encourages initiative and creativity. 4. Library Program Management: a. Directs the daily operations of the library to ensure high quality services, resource utilization, and to maximize effectiveness of budget allocation. b. Supervises the selection and weeding of all library materials. c. Summarizes library developments and trends to provide information for decision making. 5. Property Management: a. Manages physical plant to ensure proper maintenance and utilization of the library. b. Supervises maintenance and repair personnel. c. Analyzes buildings and grounds needs and recommends improvements and repairs as necessary. d. Ensures safe conditions for staff and public on library grounds. e. Ensures servicing of library equipment to maintain proper working order. f. Negotiates service contracts which protect the library's interests. 6. Public Relations: a. Establishes and conducts public relations program which engenders good will and promotes the library and its services to the community. b. Addresses community groups to inform them of related library resources and services. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 1) Must have: a) Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public library functions b) Ability in oral and written communication. c) Ability to supervise the work of others. d) Ability to make decisions in an environment of limited resources. e) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, colleagues, officials of town agencies and the public. f) Solid personnel and office administration skills. g) Ability to attract and motivate participants and volunteers. h) Ability to use or proven ability to learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and additional software as required. 2) Must be able to: a) Respond to and evaluate clients' needs. b) Move and lift furniture, boxes, etc. to reset the room as needed to carry out the programs. c) Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. d) Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. 3) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and talk. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to use the sense of smell. 4) Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Completion of an ALA accredited Masters Degree Program in Library Science plus a minimum of three years of progressively responsible library experience. Closing Date: Friday, September 11, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. The Town of Colchester Application Form, a resume, three (3) letters of reference, and no more than one typed page answering the following: "Why I want this job and what I believe I bring to it", are required for an application to be considered complete, and must be sent to the Office of the First Selectman, 127 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415, and received prior to the closing date noted above. The hiring committee will consider applicants who are interested in job sharing. Co-applicants must each complete the above as individuals, plus submit with the application a joint plan for how the duties will be carried out and why the Town of Colchester should consider job sharing for this position. Co-applicants will be interviewed and considered as one. Employment applications and job descriptions are available by calling (860) 537-7220, by appearing in person at the First Selectman's Office, or through www.colchesterct.gov. The Town of Colchester is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of physical disabilities.