Technical Specialist Physical Collections

City of Canterbury-Bankstown; Sydney, Canterbury-Bankstown; On-site; AUD 86,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued Time Off

Parental leave options

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Remuneration package

Job summary

The City of Canterbury Bankstown (CBCity) is seeking a Technical Specialist Physical Collections to lead development, management and optimisation of physical library collections across nine branches. You will provide expert guidance, training and support to staff, using data-driven planning to ensure communities have access to high-quality collections and excellent customer experiences.

You will work with the Team Leader Collections and stakeholders to continuously improve collection

Qualifications

• Tertiary Library/Information Science qualification or equivalent with ALIA eligibility.
• Working With Children Check required.
• Extensive experience in development and management of physical collections.
• Awareness of inclusive, diverse publishing practices.
• Experience delivering training on collection management.
• Experience developing and reviewing collection strategies, policies and procedures.
• Financial management skills: budgeting, monitoring and procurement.
• Experience negotiating library supplier contracts and ensuring compliance.
• Ability to analyse data to improve collection quality and user experience.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise multiple projects with deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to lead, adapt to change and inspire others.
• Proficiency with library management systems and troubleshooting.
• Commitment to customer service and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and improve physical library collections across nine branches.
• Provide specialist advice on selection, evaluation and deselection.
• Monitor collection performance using data-driven insights.
• Deliver staff training and build capability in collection management.
• Collaborate with branch staff, leadership, eServices and suppliers.
• Manage budgets, procurement and supplier relationships.

Skills

Working With Children Check

Collections management

Data analysis

Budget management

Contract negotiation

Training delivery

Policy development

Active stakeholder engagement

Library management system

Customer service

Change management

Problem solving

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

ALIA eligibility or equivalent qualification

Job description

Here at CBCity

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is one of the largest Council’s in NSW with the most culturally, socially and economically diverse communities in Sydney. We deliver 28 key services such as childcare, waste collection, parks maintenance, libraries, community facilities and aquatic centres to over 380,000 residents.

The role

Are you passionate about building high-quality library collections that connect communities with information, ideas and reading experiences?

As Technical Specialist Physical Collections, you will be responsible for the development, management and optimisation of physical library collections across our nine branches. This specialist role provides expert advice, training and support to library staff, while using data analysis and evidence-based collection planning, to ensure collections reflect community needs, complement digital resources and deliver outstanding customer experiences. Working closely with the Team Leader Collections and library stakeholders, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of collection performance, policies and practices.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Develop, manage and continuously improve physical library collections across the Library Service, providing specialist advice on collection selection, evaluation, deselection and ongoing development to ensure collections align with community needs, service priorities and industry best practice.
• Monitor, analyse and report on collection performance, using data and evidence-based insights to inform collection development, resource allocation and budgeting decisions.
• Deliver training, guidance and professional support to build staff capability and promote consistent collection management practices across the Library Service.
• Collaborate with branch staff, library leadership, the eServices team and suppliers to ensure collections meet community needs and that physical and digital collections complement one another.
• Manage collection budgets, procurement activities and supplier relationships to achieve collection objectives and deliver value for money.
• Utilise and support the Library Management System to facilitate collection management, reporting, workflow efficiencies and issue resolution.
• Develop, review and maintain collection policies, procedures, standards and guidelines that support best practice and continuous improvement.

For a full list of duties, click HERE to review the position description.

You will have

• Tertiary qualifications in Library and Information Science enabling eligibility for ALIA professional membership, or equivalent qualifications and experience relevant to the accountabilities
• Working With Children Check
• Extensive experience in the development and management of physical collections, including but not limited to selection, evaluation and deselection.
• Awareness of inclusive, culturally diverse, and accessible publishing practices to support equitable community representation in collections.
• Experience in developing and successfully delivering training programs relevant to collection management processes.
• Experience contributing to the development and review of collection strategies, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial management, including budget preparation, monitoring, reporting and procurement compliance.
• Experience in establishing partnerships and negotiating contracts with library suppliers and ensuring their compliance with guidelines and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data and apply insights to improve collection quality and user experience.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritise multiple concurrent projects and tasks with competing deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with strong collaboration, consultation, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution capabilities.
• Ability to adapt and embrace change and to engage, lead and inspire others to achieve outcomes for the benefit of the library service and community.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of a library management system with the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service excellence and community engagement.

What’s on offer

• An Attractive Remuneration Package.
• Embrace a better work-life balance with our Accrued Time Off program, designed to prioritise your well-being and help you manage the balance between your personal and professional life.
• Permanent Full-time position with Local Government conditions such as long service leave after 5 years, annual salary increases and generous parental leave options.
• Contribute to making a positive impact on our community.
• An investment in your professional growth, fostering continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Access to our employee Health and Wellbeing Programs.

The salary range for this opportunity starts at$86,009 (Grade F, Step 1) + 12% super. Salary may be negotiable dependent on skills and experience.

For more information, please contact Samantha Leung (Team Leader E Services) at [e-mail]

Applications close Friday, 30 October 2026

CBCity is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We want our workplace to reflect the diverse community we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences and abilities; this includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

If you require support with your application and throughout the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Management Team at [e-mail]

Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Criminal History Check, Medical and/or Working with Children Check in accordance with the position.

Applicants must hold an Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or possess a valid work permit/visa with full unrestricted working rights to be eligible.