Public Services Coordinator

Yourpayrollhr; Austinburg (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision plans

Paid leave

Retirement plan

EAP

Job summary

The Kenton County Public Library in Covington, KY seeks a Public Services Coordinator (FT, Exempt) to lead a supervisory team, shape patron experiences, and ensure equitable service.

Requires MLS/MLIS, Kentucky certification eligibility, 5+ years public library experience, and proven leadership. Evergreen familiarity and strong communication are essential. The role supports community learning and access.

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Kentucky certification level required or obtainable for the role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Public Services team to deliver welcoming and equitable service to patrons.
• Coach, develop, and empower staff while fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Oversee daily operations, staffing, and service delivery to ensure high-quality patron experiences.
• Resolve complex patron concerns and guide team through challenging situations.
• Contribute to branch strategy and planning as part of the management team.

Skills

Leadership coaching

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational thinking

People management

Adaptability

Continuous learning

Education

MLS/MLIS degree

Kentucky certification eligibility

Tools

Evergreen ILS

Job description

• Location 502 Scott Street,Covington, KY, 41011,United States
• Base Pay $55,286.40 - $82,908.80 / Year
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree Masters
• Manage Others Yes

Contact information

• Name Rachel Stookey
• Phone [phone]

Descripti

Kenton County Public Library

Job Title: Public Services Coordinator

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Branch: Covington

Pay Range: $55,286.40 - $82,908.80 per year

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with a schedule that may include any day of the week, including days, evenings, weekends, and the holidays the Library is open.

About the Library

The Kenton County Public Library serves as a vital community resource, offering access to information, technology, and lifelong learning opportunities. With a strong commitment to public service and innovation, the Library is recognized as a leading institution in the region.

As a cornerstone of the Northern Kentucky community, our Library is more than books — we are a vibrant, innovative institution dedicated to learning, connection, and inclusion. This is your opportunity to help shape an organization where culture, equity, community engagement and employee development are top priorities.

Join a Team that Values People, Community, and Connection

At the Kenton County Public Library, we believe the heart of great library service starts with great people. We're looking for a Public Services Coordinator who is passionate about creating exceptional patron experiences while developing and supporting the people who make those experiences possible. This role combines leadership, operational oversight, and strategic thinking, guiding a team of supervisors and staff, resolving complex service challenges, and helping shape responsive, equitable library services for our community. If you enjoy coaching others, improving processes, building strong relationships, and leading through both day-to-day operations and long-term initiatives, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patrons, employees, and the Library as a whole.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and support the Public Services team to deliver exceptional, welcoming, and equitable service to every patron
• Coach, develop, and empower staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Guide the department's daily operations, staffing, workflows, and service delivery to ensure consistent, high-quality patron experiences.
• Resolve complex patron concerns and provide leadership during challenging, unusual, or high-pressure situations.
• Evaluate services, identify opportunities for improvement, and help implement changes that respond to evolving community needs.
• Contribute to branch strategy, planning, and decision-making as a member of the management team while partnering with leaders across the library system.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support Library operations.

What We’re Looking For

• A confident and supportive leader who can coach others, develop talent, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth.
• Someone who is passionate about delivering welcoming, equitable, and patron-centered service and helping others do the same.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, navigate difficult conversations, and adapt to a variety of audiences and situations.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving abilities, with the confidence to make informed decisions and effectively resolve complex challenges.
• An organized and strategic thinker who can balance competing priorities, connect day-to-day operations to broader goals, and follow issues through to resolution.
• A collaborative professional who works effectively across teams, builds strong partnerships, and contributes positively to shared goals and initiatives.
• A flexible and resilient leader who can adapt to change, remain composed under pressure, and help others navigate evolving priorities.
• Someone who is committed to continuous learning, professional growth, and improving services to meet the changing needs of the community.

Qualifications Required

Education & Certification

• Master of Library Science (MLS/MLIS) degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives certification level required for the position.

Work Experience & Environment

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public library service;
  • including experience providing or overseeing public-facing services, or
  • customer service, other library system, or similar public service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience, including employee coaching, performance feedback, performance management, scheduling, training, and staff development.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, including operational planning, process improvement, resource or budget management, and customer or patron relations.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and support or guide others in a team environment.
• Experience providing circulation, reference, information, or comparable public-facing services.
• Experience using an integrated library system, preferably Evergreen.
• Experience addressing escalated customer or patron concerns and applying organizational policies.
• Knowledge of, or proficiency in STEM/STREAM-related technologies and equipment is a plus.
• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds; push or pull book carts and other equipment weighing up to 100 pounds; and occasionally bend, kneel, reach, and perform other physical activities associated with library operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising another supervisor, lead employee, or multi-level team.
• Experience participating in cross-branch, multi-site, or systemwide service planning and implementation.
• Experience leading operational or service improvements involving multiple stakeholders or departments.

At the Kenton County Public Library, we value our employees and the important role each person plays in serving our community. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being both on and off the job.

• Employee medical paid insurance premium.
• Optional voluntary plans for: Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, as well as medical for dependents.
• Paid Leave: Vacation starting at 4 weeks prorated annually, holiday, personal, and sick.
• Retirement Plan: Participation in the Kentucky Retirement System (KRS), administered by the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA), and optional additional plans available through Kentucky Deferred Compensation.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential support services.
• Professional Development: Access to library training, webinars, and learning opportunities to support growth and advancement.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential support services for you and your household members.
• Professional Development: Access to library training, webinars, and learning opportunities to support growth and advancement.

Why Work Here

• You’ll join a team that values collaboration, accountability, and kindness. We celebrate curiosity, community engagement, and the small, meaningful moments that make public service rewarding. At KCPL, being a good teammate is just as important as knowing how to check out a book.
• Positive Work Environment: Join a team that reflects KCPL’s core values—welcoming & diverse, caring & customer-centric, collaborative & community focused, responsible & professional, and reading knowledge champions. We support each other, work professionally, and take pride in serving our community with kindness and accountability.
• Meaningful Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization Preserving Yesterday, Enriching Today, Inspiring Tomorrow. KCPL helps people become lifelong readers and learners, connect with the online world, understand their community past and present, and access safe, comfortable spaces—both physical and virtual—to gather, learn, or work. Your work directly strengthens these services and the community we serve.

The Kenton County Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.