Location: Linden, NJ
Position Type: Full-Time
Civil Service Title: Assistant Library Director
Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000 annually, depending on experience
Reports To: Library Director

Job Summary

The Linden Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, and service-oriented professional to serve as Assistant Library Director. The Assistant Director will play a critical leadership role in supporting the Library Director in the daily administration and operation of the library while helping ensure high-quality public service to the community of Linden.

The ideal candidate will possess strong supervisory, organizational, and communication skills; demonstrate the ability to manage public service operations in a collaborative environment; and be comfortable supervising staff, coordinating workflows, and assisting with operational management in a busy public library setting.

The Assistant Director will provide leadership and oversight for day-to-day public service operations, staff scheduling, frontline supervision, and technical services workflow coordination. The successful candidate will also serve as a member of the administrative team and assist with operational continuity during evenings, weekends, and in the absence of the Library Director.

The Library seeks a candidate who values teamwork, accountability, public service, and community engagement.

About Us

The Linden Public Library serves a vibrant and diverse community of approximately 43,000 residents in Union County, New Jersey. The Library is committed to providing welcoming, inclusive, and responsive library services that support lifelong learning, literacy, digital access, and community engagement.

The Library offers a broad range of collections, public programs, outreach initiatives, technology services, and educational opportunities for residents of all ages.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administration & Operations

• Assists the Library Director with the daily administration and operation of the library.
• Oversees day-to-day public service operations and frontline service workflows.
• Serves as acting administrator in the absence of the Library Director.
• Assists with implementation of library policies, procedures, and operational initiatives.
• Participates in administrative planning and operational coordination meetings.
• Assists with preparation of reports and operational documentation.
• Assists the Library Director in long-term strategic planning initiatives, organizational goal setting, and the implementation of operational priorities that support the Library’s mission and future growth.

Staff Supervision & Scheduling

• Supervises librarians, circulation staff, and daily operations.
• Assists with employee onboarding, training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Assists with staff accountability, workflow management, and customer service standards.
• Coordinates public service desk schedules and staffing coverage.
• Assists with evening, weekend, and emergency staffing coordination.
• Helps ensure adequate supervisory coverage during public service hours.
• Participates in evening and Saturday administrative coverage rotations.

Public Services & Technical Services

• Assists with oversight of circulation and public service operations.
• Coordinates and monitors cataloging and technical services workflows.
• Assists with workflow coordination between librarians and support staff.
• Helps identify and address operational bottlenecks and workflow inefficiencies.
• Assists with maintaining consistent standards throughout the organization.

Community Engagement

• Represents the library at meetings and public events as assigned.
• Serves as backup representative for Board of Trustees and public meetings when needed.
• Assists with special projects, programming initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Assists in developing and maintaining community partnerships, outreach initiatives, and accessible services that support and engage Linden’s diverse community.

Other Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Library Director.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
• Possession of a valid New Jersey Professional Librarian Certificate issued by Thomas Edison State University.
• Residency in New Jersey within one year of hiring as required by the NJ First Act.
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional library experience.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory or leadership experience in a library setting.
• Excellent communication, writing, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in a customer service-focused environment.
• Project management experience, including coordinating multi-step initiatives and projects.
• Familiarity with the strategic planning process and working with oversight Boards.
• Fluency in a language other than English is strongly preferred, particularly Spanish or Haitian Creole.

Schedule & Work Environment

This is a full-time position that requires flexibility in scheduling. The successful candidate will be expected to work a combination of daytime, evening, and Saturday hours as part of the Library’s administrative coverage structure.

The position requires regular interaction with staff, patrons, vendors, community organizations, and public officials in a busy public library environment.

Benefits

Benefits are provided in accordance with Library policy and include:

• Health, vision, prescription and dental insurance
• Pension enrollment through the New Jersey Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave
• Health savings account
• Professional development opportunities

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit email a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references to Joshua Melissari, Library Director, at librarydirector [at] lindenpl.org (librarydirector[at]lindenpl[dot]org). 

Please place “Assistant Library Director Application” in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, though priority will be given for candidates who submit an application before July 17, 2026. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Linden Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. The Library encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.