Executive Director, Pierce County Library System, Pierce County WA
Posted June 13, 2014
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – PIERCE COUNTY (WA) LIBRARY SYSTEM
Bring the World of Information and Imagination to All – in a beautiful Pacific-Northwest setting. The Board of Trustees of the Pierce County Library System (http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/) seeks both a visionary leader and an experienced, capable manager–creative and innovative in building and maintaining successful teams–to lead the organization in providing quality services and programs for this diverse and culturally rich library system. The award winning (2013 IMLS National Medal) Pierce County Library System serves all of unincorporated Pierce County and 15 annexed cities and towns–a total of 555,285 suburban and rural residents. Established as an independent municipal corporation, the Library is an independent taxing district with authority to levy a property tax as well as issue bonds and special levies with a vote of the public. With a $25.6 million annual budget and approximately 406 staff (236 FTEs) with union representation, Pierce County Library System welcomed 2.4 million visitors and loaned 7.6 million items in 2013. Governed by an appointed board of trustees and supported by a successful Foundation and active Friends organizations, the System’s 18 libraries and virtual services bring people together and provide opportunities for learning, enrichment and fun–and even greater levels of service excellence in the years ahead.
It’s hard to imagine a better place to live than Pierce County–surrounded by saltwater shores and towering mountain peaks. Pierce County is notable for being home to stunning Mount Rainier and six major rivers. The County ranges from bustling cities with rich culture and arts communities and active nightlife to quiet timber towns. Small-town farmers and big-city professionals, active retired couples and families and talented trades people–all share a northwest pioneer spirit. Pierce County Library System shares the County with the Tacoma Public Library, Puyallup Library, and Roy Library. The County also has sixteen school districts (fifteen served by PCLS) and the area is home to several two and four year colleges including the University of Washington Tacoma, University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College, and Pierce College. The Port of Tacoma is the sixth busiest container port in North America and Joint Base Lewis-McChord contributes more than 42,000 military and civilian jobs to the local economy. Pierce County’s neighbors include Olympia (Washington’s capital city), Seattle and King County–all with additional opportunities for exploring diverse cultural and recreational amenities. For more information on the Library, Pierce County and the region, see Pierce County Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/PCLSlinks.htm).
Responsibilities. The Executive Director is responsible for planning, developing, directing, and leading all operations and activities of the Library System; implementing and administering policy in pursuit of the Library’s mission, vision and values; and providing administrative support to the Board of Trustees. Additional responsibilities include: representing the Library System to local governments, civic and community organizations, professional associations and the general public; assuring a program of service that meets the needs of Pierce County customers and community members; accomplishing short-term and long-range planning; and implementing and managing the budget and other resources using sound business practices to assure the effective and efficient use of tax-supported resources.
Qualifications. A Master’s Degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS), the ability to obtain and hold a State of Washington Librarian Certification, and a minimum of 10 years of library administrative management and direct supervisory experience in a multi-location library system are required. Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skills to allow successful performance of the job and qualify for certification may be considered. Essential executive competencies include: excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust and effective partnerships; a commitment to developing others, facilitating change, building successful teams and leading through vision and values; customer focus, business acumen and strategic decision making ability; and possessing the inclinations and dispositions that characterize successful leadership. See the official Executive Director Job Description (http://www.gossagesager.com/pclsjobdesc.pdf) for a complete list of the essential functions. Proven success working effectively as director reporting to a governing board and success working in a union environment are valuable desired experiences.
Compensation. The position offers a starting salary range of $135,000-155,000 (with placement dependent on experience and qualifications) and an attractive benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (http://www.gossagesager.com/) via email or phone. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to Dan Bradbury, [email protected], or Jobeth Bradbury, [email protected]. The position closes July 24, 2014.