The Wayne Public Library is seeking an Assistant Director to round out its administrative team. While representative duties and requirements can and will be listed below, what we are looking for is a dynamic leader who can collaborate closely with the Director. The Assistant Director should
• Passionately advocate to the Board and Director for what they believe is the best for the library, while maintaining a unified administrative voice;
• Learn our library policies, procedures, contracts, and practices better than anyone else, and know how to apply them so they uphold the library’s purposes without providing unnecessary barriers to access;
• Lead the staff through motivational and inspiring strategies, while also establishing clear expectations for accountability;
• Exercise strong analytical skills and decisive judgment in implementing the above, and collaborating with the Director to chart the library’s path forward. And know when to ask for help.
The Wayne Public Library serves a community of approximately 56,000 residents in Passaic County, with a $4MM budget. As one of the larger libraries in the region, we often serve as a hub for many neighboring communities with fewer resources.
The Wayne Public Library has seen a significant transformation in recent years and will be moving forward with more advancements, including capital upgrades, service expansions, and organizational enhancements. There are a great many projects associated with this evolution, providing the Assistant Director opportunities to not only shape their role, but also influence the direction of the library.
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Direct supervision of 20+ full-time unionized staff, 10+ part-time and substitute staff, and volunteers, including evaluation, training, and disciplining.
• Equitable, efficient, and timely scheduling of leave requests and service desks coverage. The Assistant Director has first-response responsibility for any issues with service desk coverage, and as such, is expected to perform adequately at any public service desk.
• Developing effective methods for eliciting and receiving feedback from our service community, including first-response responsibility for maintaining positive customer service experiences at all service points.
• First -approval responsibility for purchases, and oversight of the accounts payable process.
• Representing the library by actively participating in community events and organizations and strengthening ties with partner organizations.
• Assuming duties of the Director in his absence.
• Special projects as assigned by and agreed upon with the Director.
A successful candidate for this opportunity possesses the following qualifications:
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the public library sector, with at least 3 years of proven upper management, administration and/or supervisory experience in libraries or a related field.
• Clear knowledge of best practices in personnel management, library-specific policies and procedures, budgeting, and purchasing.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and to vary work schedule; must be willing and able to work nights and weekends (e.g., Saturdays and Sundays).
• Exceptional communication skills that can effectively convey needed messages assertively but diplomatically, that motivate, and instill confidence in others.
• Technology fluency, with verifiable experience in adopting new software and hardware tools, and implementing them enterprise-wide.
• Demonstrable ability to apply sound judgment consistently across a wide range of situations and circumstances.
• An ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in library or information science, and New Jersey professional librarian’s certification issued by Thomas Edison State University.
The salary range for this opportunity is $90,000 to $100,000. The Wayne Public Library provides comprehensive healthcare benefits, participation in the pension plan, generous and flexible paid leave, and reimbursements for professional organization memberships, library-related training, and conference attendance. And, of course, all the glory and fame of being in public service.
If you haven’t been scared off yet and are interested in applying, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to vidald [at] waynepubliclibrary.org.