Branch Operations Supervisor

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 4,000 - 6,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Branch Operations Supervisor to oversee daily operations at the Asian Library. This role involves supervising staff, ensuring quality service delivery, and managing essential library functions such as circulation and collection maintenance. The ideal candidate will have a Library Technician diploma, supervisory experience, strong interpersonal skills, and fluency in English and an Asian language. This position offers a competitive compensation range and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• High School graduation plus two-year Library Technician diploma plus four years of related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate the work of staff to meet Branch requirements.
• Fluency in both English and an Asian language, preferable Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily operations of the Asian Library Borrower and Access Services.
• Monitor staff performance and provide feedback.
• Oversee collection maintenance and staff scheduling tasks.
• Handle IT tickets and facilities-related issues.
• Communicate effectively with library patrons.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Leadership abilities

Communication skills

Judgment in decision-making

Problem-solving skills

Teamwork

Fluency in Asian language

Education

Library Technician diploma

High School diploma

Job description

Staff - Union Job Category CUPE 2950 Job Profile CUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 4 (Gr9) Job Title Branch Operations Supervisor Department UBC Library I Asian Library Compensation Range $4,959.00 - $5,532.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date January 6, 2026. Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Position Function

Assists and provides leadership in the development, delivery, supervision, and reporting of the Asian Library’s Borrower and Access Services, Collection Maintenance, and Public Service Areas. Performs complex duties in the areas of circulation, collection maintenance, overdues and fines. In coordination with Head, supervises staff and student employees. Coordinates and schedules service desk and tracks staff holiday and sick time requests. Works with Head to establish policy and procedures for operations in accordance with wider UBC Library policies and procedures. Oversees building facilities issues for the Branch as well as various projects including book moves.

Working Relationships

Works mostly independently under direction of the Head, Asian Library. Provides direct supervision of approximately 2 support staff as well as student employees. Works closely with Asian Library Librarians. May work with employees from other units such as Technical Services to plan and coordinate collections projects such as book moves and inventory. Works with other Library branches on committees or projects. Communicates with the Library Facilities unit as well as Building Operations.

Duties

• Responsible for the overall supervision and administration of the daily operations of the Asian Library Borrower and Access Services, and Collection Maintenance. Oversees the distribution of work and monitors the quality of work.
• Drafts and modifies manuals and sets up procedures for site specific operations and projects.
• Plans, oversees, implements and assists with general organization and maintenance of the collection.
• Leads shelving and collection shifting programs and projects. Participates in the coordination of larger book move projects.
• In co‑ordination with Head, provides input and makes recommendations for the recruitment and selection of staff; conducts onboarding and orientation; resolves personnel issues.
• Contributes to student assistant budget proposals; recruits student assistants; shortlists and interviews student assistant applicants in conjunction with team members.
• Collates monographs for binding. Ensures binding quotas and deadlines are met.
• Schedules staff and student assistants for Service Desk, resolves complex scheduling problems, adjusts schedule as needed, tracks and reports staff vacation requests and sick time.
• Provides information services to library users on a scheduled basis at the Circulation Desk.
• Monitors staff and student assistant performance and provides feedback to Head for annual performance planning.
• Reporting: Using available tools, generates and analyses data; writes reports as requested.
• Responsible for the collection and compilation of budget information relating to student employees. Monitors the Asian Library’s student hours allocation. Prepares, maintains and submits all payroll records and timesheets.
• Represents the Asian Library on committees and working groups, such as the Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC) and the Library Circulation Liaison Team.
• Requests and collates statistical data from employees from different branches and units involved in assessment, and coordinates with librarians and staff from the Asian Library. Responsible for statistical reporting on an annual or as needed basis. Gathers and submits gate count numbers.
• Identifies problems; submits and tracks IT and / or Facilities tickets, follows up to completion. This includes issues related to mail and delivery.
• Deals with fines appeals, claims‑returned and inquiries regarding fines, according to UBC loans regulations and policies. Following established regulations and guidelines, makes decisions to waive or adjust existing fines and consults with Head or Central Borrower Services as required.
• Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

Judgement, Impact of Decisions, and Consequence of Error

Work is performed in accordance with broadly established procedures and practices requiring initiative to plan and complete recurring assignments independently, and judgement to determine which of many methods are applicable in any given situation. There are a variety of job tasks requiring ongoing prioritization. Responsibilities and work situations are broader in scope, with limited opportunity for standardized solutions.

Errors in judgement in the supervision of employees and operational oversight of Borrower and Access Services, Collection Maintenance, and Public Service Areas could negatively affect productivity and employee morale and the quality and level of service provided to faculty, students and patrons. Errors in monitoring student budget could result in inappropriate use of funds. Failure to follow university financial procedures could result in cash being vulnerable to theft or loss. Incorrect or late payroll submissions could result in errors or delay in employees’ pay.

Supervision Received

Works mostly independently; receives guidance, advice and supervision from Head, Asian Library.

Supervision Given

Supplies two staff and all student employees hired within his purview at any given time.

Minimum Qualifications

High School graduation, plus two year Library Technician diploma plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated ability to plan and execute workflow and to coordinate the work of staff to meet Branch requirements. Demonstrated supervisory, leadership and interpersonal skills. Ability to exercise judgement in the interpretation of policies and procedures. Dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment that recognizes barriers faced by people and encourages and incorporates contributions from diverse groups and individuals. Works to build a team environment built on positive working relationships, provides guidance and resources to teams while trusting them to excel. Creates and contributes to a workplace environment that embraces curiosity, ideas, creativity and innovation and provides opportunities and flexibility to explore new initiatives. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve. Ability to make decisions and recommendations involving complex issues. Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Must be able to work evenings and weekends. Must be fluent in both English and in an Asian language which is supported by the collection. Chinese, Japanese or Korean language fluency is preferred. Other Asian languages supported by the collection may be considered.