Assistant Branch Manager I

Frederick County Government, Maryland; Brunswick (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holiday leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Frederick County Public Libraries, located in Central Maryland, is seeking an experienced Assistant Branch Manager I to lead day-to-day public service operations, supervise staff, and uphold high standards of customer service.

You will oversee Adult Services, support program delivery, and contribute to branch planning under the Branch Manager, with opportunities to mentor staff and implement FCPL's strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 3 years of library experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or directing the work of others.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Information Desk, including Adult and Circulation Services to ensure a superior quality of service is provided by staff to the public
• Resolve difficult patron complaints and problems
• Assign responsibilities, supervise, develop, and evaluate the performance of direct reports; oversee scheduling and workload assignment
• Train and/or mentor staff as needed
• Participate in the planning and facilitation of adult programming
• Provide leadership to department staff in setting goals and objectives for fulfilling FCPL's mission and strategic plan
• Set expectations and standards for exemplary customer service and train staff to meet them
• Collaborate with the Branch Manager to address and support system-wide issues and concerns
• Work with the Branch Manager to identify, plan, implement and evaluate promotional, marketing, and outreach activities for communicating the vision and mission of the library; participate in outreach program as needed
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and evaluation of resources in the Adult Services area, working with Materials Management
• Implement and direct merchandising and other strategies for in-house marketing of resources
• Build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, businesses and leaders for advocacy and financial support
• Use current technology to improve personal efficiency, branch efficiency, and delivery of customer service
• Work collaboratively within the community to assess community needs and interpret FCPL's ability to meet those needs
• Perform Person-in-Charge duties to ensure safety and security of patrons, staff, and the facility
• Train the public to efficiently use services and resources provided by the library
• Participate in interviewing and selection of department staff
• Support and interpret departmental, library and systems policies and procedures to the staff and the general public
• Provide direct public service to patrons at all service points
• Conduct regular staff meetings to train, review policy and procedure, and to resolve department challenges
• Participate on branch and system-wide work teams
• Maintain professional growth through learning opportunities
• Actively participate in local, state, and national library associations; attend seminars, workshops and continuing education activities; maintain professional affiliations to keep abreast of current and emerging trends, innovation, technology, services and other related areas of library planning and services
• In the absence of the Branch Manager, fulfill the duties and daily responsibilities of that position
• Actively support the values of Frederick County Public Libraries
• May perform duties as a Passport Acceptance Agent, to include executing passport applications
• May require the ability to become a certified Notary for the State of Maryland within 90 days of hire
• Perform other duties as required

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Minimum of 3 years of library experience

Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or directing the work of others

Job description

JOB INFORMATION

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team. Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; varying schedule during regular FCPL hours; full-benefits; position is subject to system wide re-assignment

This professional-level supervisory position provides day-to-day leadership for assigned public service areas within a library branch. The Assistant Branch Manager I oversees service-desk operations, directs and evaluates the work of professional and paraprofessional staff, and ensures consistent, high-quality customer service across designated functional areas. Work at this level involves managing operational activities, supporting program delivery, and maintaining service quality within established library policies, procedures, and system-wide initiatives. The position exercises judgment in resolving routine to moderately complex patron and staff issues, provides training and performance feedback, and contributes to branch-level planning under the guidance of the Branch Manager. Supervision is received from the Branch Manager.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.

Total Compensation Package

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• Participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

Essential Duties And Job Responsibilities

• Manage the Information Desk, including Adult and Circulation Services to ensure a superior quality of service is provided by staff to the public
• Resolve difficult patron complaints and problems
• Assign responsibilities, supervise, develop, and evaluate the performance of direct reports; oversee scheduling and workload assignment
• Train and/or mentor staff as needed
• Participate in the planning and facilitation of adult programming
• Provide leadership to department staff in setting goals and objectives for fulfilling FCPL's mission and strategic plan
• Set expectations and standards for exemplary customer service and train staff to meet them
• Collaborate with the Branch Manager to address and support system-wide issues and concerns
• Work with the Branch Manager to identify, plan, implement and evaluate promotional, marketing, and outreach activities for communicating the vision and mission of the library; participate in outreach program as needed
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and evaluation of resources in the Adult Services area, working with Materials Management
• Implement and direct merchandising and other strategies for in-house marketing of resources
• Build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, businesses and leaders for advocacy and financial support
• Use current technology to improve personal efficiency, branch efficiency, and delivery of customer service
• Work collaboratively within the community to assess community needs and interpret FCPL's ability to meet those needs
• Perform Person-in-Charge duties to ensure safety and security of patrons, staff, and the facility
• Train the public to efficiently use services and resources provided by the library
• Participate in interviewing and selection of department staff
• Support and interpret departmental, library and systems policies and procedures to the staff and the general public
• Provide direct public service to patrons at all service points
• Conduct regular staff meetings to train, review policy and procedure, and to resolve department challenges
• Participate on branch and system-wide work teams
• Maintain professional growth through learning opportunities
• Actively participate in local, state, and national library associations; attend seminars, workshops and continuing education activities; maintain professional affiliations to keep abreast of current and emerging trends, innovation, technology, services and other related areas of library planning and services
• In the absence of the Branch Manager, fulfill the duties and daily responsibilities of that position
• Actively support the values of Frederick County Public Libraries
• May perform duties as a Passport Acceptance Agent, to include executing passport applications
• May require the ability to become a certified Notary for the State of Maryland within 90 days of hire
• Perform other duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

Qualifications And Requirements

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of 3 years of library experience
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or directing the work of others

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are a Master’s of Library Science Degree (MLS) or a Master’s of Library Information Science (MLIS) from an accredited program with a Professional Public Librarian certification from the Maryland State Department of Education or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hire and 1 year experience of library experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Ability to obtain and maintain Library Associate certification from the MD State Library Agency within 2 years of hire, plus willingness and ability to attend training sessions as applicable
• Ability to assess community needs and to develop, plan, implement library materials selection, and implement initiatives to meet those needs
• Ability to assess user needs and communicate technology systems and solutions regarding user needs in library website development
• Ability to utilize necessary technologies, including FCPL’s computerized systems, other database systems associated with Acquisitions and Interlibrary Loan Services, and library catalog/discovery systems
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, assignments, and unanticipated emergencies
• Ability to work effectively independently, cooperatively, and as part of a team
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and evaluate the work of others
• Ability to provide effective leadership in public library services
• Ability to plan and facilitate adult programs
• Ability to effectively create and analyze information, including written, statistical, and numerical data
• Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Ability to effectively build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, and businesses
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, community organizations, government officials, and the general public
• Knowledge of modern management theory and practices with demonstrated effective skills and judgment in public library management and problem solving
• Knowledge of marketing principles with ability to effectively apply them to a library setting
• Knowledge of general and specialized reference materials and sources, and the most effective means to access information
• Knowledge of, and ability to, effectively use social media and other online tools to promote the library and gather feedback from the public
• Knowledge of existing and emerging technology trends and electronic formats for library materials, with the ability to research and analyze them for use by public library patrons
• Knowledge of modern management theory and practices, with demonstrated effective skills and judgment in public library management and problem-solving
• Knowledge of social media tools and techniques and marketing principles, with the skills to effectively communicate in an online environment to engage customers via social media and apply them to a library setting
• Knowledge of current library standards and practices, especially in the areas of circulation, use of the Dewey Decimal System, interlibrary loan, cataloging, and patron privacy
• Effective leadership skills
• Strong internal and external customer service skills including ability to exhibit patience, tact and courtesy working collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills,
• Research skills to maintain knowledge of industry trends, age-appropriate literature, developmental stages, and interests

Preference May Be Given For

• Direct work experience in a public library
• Current Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) Employee

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• While working in this position the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, and reach; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• While working in this position the employee is required to constantly work indoors; frequently work outdoors and walk on uneven ground.
• During outreach programs and events, the employee is frequently working outdoors, with the possibly of working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees), working in cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and walking on uneven ground

Additional Information / Examination Process

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Ability to provide own transportation to meetings, workshops and branch libraries as needed
• Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may Include)

• An evaluation of training and experience
• One or more interviews

Retirement Plan

Library employees who qualify are required by state law to participate in the Maryland State Teachers' Pension System. Refer to http://www.sra.state.md.us/

Health Insurance

County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance

Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee’s completion of 30 days of active employment. NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts

The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance

Employees are insurance for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation

The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program

Educational Reimbursement Program: County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program: This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave

Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows:

• 0 – 2 years 11 days
• 2 – 10 years 17 days
• 10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave accrual rate is as follows based on length of employment and the following schedule:

• 0-2 years 10 days
• 2+ years 12 days

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may also be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, and Military.

Holidays

The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.

For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov.

All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to [e-mail]