Chief Operating Officer - Public Services

Description

The Chief Operating Officer of Public Services leads public service delivery across all Howard County Library System (HCLS) branches and provides direction to those responsible for curriculum and classes systemwide. 

We are seeking a strategic, progressive, and seasoned leader with a demonstrated record of guiding the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and inclusive educational initiatives. You embrace community-led work, welcome new challenges, are adept in leadership development, and are eager to partner with executive leaders to spearhead a culture of collaboration, connectedness, and accountability. 

You will serve as a representative of the President & CEO, requiring sound, yet quick thinking, humility, maturity, and situational sensitivity.

You create and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for team members. Whether working directly with customers or behind the scenes, our remarkable team is committed to education that aids in a more equitable and just society for all people.

We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package including 14 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team?

RESPONSIBILITY 

• Lives our strategic plan, positioning HCLS as the community’s place to learn, grow, and connect, while empowering all people to reach their potential. 
• Contributes to achieving HCLS’ racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative
• Effectively lives the values of HCLS’ strategic plan (Community, Learning, Equity, Intellectual Freedom, Teamwork), motivating others to do so as well 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Examples of duties, responsibilities, and specific areas of oversight include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads and directs the development and implementation of departmental goals, policies and annual work plans; manages the allocation of resources and service levels for optimal customer service
• Provides leadership development, mentoring, and coaching to managers and staff
• Monitors the departmental structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems required to accomplish HCLS’ mission and objectives in an effective and efficient manner; directs the identification and analysis of opportunities for service enhancements
• Oversees the operation of departmental initiatives, functions, and activities; sets objectives and monitors the performance of subordinate staff engaged in defined activities
• Directs the development and implementation of the operational budget; monitors expenditures to ensure adherence to the approved budget
• Seeks and initiates opportunities to partner with community leaders to increase HCLS’ presence in the community 
• Develops the systemwide approach for the delivery of children’s, teen, and adult classes and events 
• Ensures staff analyze curriculum offerings and the customer experience, and use that data to improve future offerings, customer engagement and outcomes
• Strategic institutional planning and project management. The ability to plan and communicate decisions clearly; to know when consensus is beneficial and when to drive decisions
• Performs a lead role in strategic planning, system-wide projects, and events
• Fosters collaborative and positive working relationships and encourages creativity 
• Creates instruments to monitor and ensure team performance exceeds customer expectations, addresses issues in a timely manner
• Represents HCLS on miscellaneous committees and boards and at countywide events, understanding such representation plays a major role in engaging the community and raising the visibility and value of HCLS
• Presents in the community, and at state and national conferences 
• Performs other duties as assigned 

Requirements

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Library and Information Science, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Eight years increasingly responsible managerial experience
• Skilled in change management, facilitation, and leadership development
• Strong history of motivating high performance, coaching, developing, mentoring and empowering managers in a decisive, professional, and diplomatic way
• Knowledge and experience with principles and practices of budget planning and fiscal management
• Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of senior managers and other staff
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff, boards, elected officials, community organizations, and other library stakeholders 
• Demonstrated use of ability to use diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding principles in leadership
• Ability to prepare comprehensive, accurate, and timely reports, records, and other documents
• Ability to independently set priorities, adapt and drive change initiatives, and successfully manage projects
• Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously 
• A sense of humor and a positive and enthusiastic approach to public service and library leadership

PHYSICAL STANDARDS

• Job allows for some variance in work routine and considerable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and sitting 
• In addition, strenuous activity may be required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books (weighing up to 30 lbs.) or arranging rooms for classes and events 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS 

• Starting salary -  $175,000/year DOQ
• Works under the supervision of the President & CEO
• Full-time; 37.5 hours per week
• Typically Monday – Friday
• Evenings and weekends required, as needed
• May be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute) 
• Position closes Friday, July 26, 2024

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.

Salary : $175,000