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Youth Services Manager, Whatcom County Library System, Bellingham, WA

Posted March 16, 2015

The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) seeks a passionate and innovative Youth Services Manager to provide strategic leadership in planning, organizing, managing and directing youth services and activities system-wide to meet WCLS mission, goals and objectives; supervise youth focus staff system-wide; and serve as a member of the management team. Requires MLS, five or more years’ relevant library experience and a Washington State Librarian Certificate (or ability to acquire Certificate). Full-time, FLSA exempt position with competitive salary and excellent benefits. Application deadline extended to Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

Position:  Youth Services Manager

Department:  Youth Services

Responsibilities:  The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) seeks a passionate and innovative Youth Services Manager to provide strategic leadership in planning, organizing, managing and directing youth services and activities system-wide to meet WCLS mission, goals and objectives; supervise youth focus staff system-wide; and serve as a member of the management team.

The Youth Services Manager is responsible for:

  • Executive leadership: articulate, support and implement the mission, goals and policies of WCLS related to serving youth; identify and communicate system-wide long and short-term goals and objectives for youth service activities; and lead tactical plan initiatives through project management.
  • Community collaboration: represent WCLS to, and liaison with, school districts, other libraries and community organizations which serve youth; develop and maintain professional contacts to facilitate exchange of information and ideas and opportunities to collaborate.
  • Enhancing services to engage youth: promote reading, information literacy, and library use to youth, their families, caregivers and educators; collaboratively develop and improve services to youth based on demographics, patron needs and best practices supported by current research on youth development; plan, develop, recommend and implement effective responses.
  • Collection development: oversee collection development for youth; may select and deselect materials and/or supervise youth focus selectors.
  • Content expert: collaborate with, and serve as a resource for staff for service specific to the needs of children, teens, and families, in areas such as programming and activities, library spaces for youth, and reader’s advisory.
  • Supervision: hire, train, and supervise youth focus staff; evaluate and make recommendations on staff development needs, staffing allocations and other personnel matters.

Qualifications: You are a positive and enthusiastic leader and manager with a strong understanding of the full range of youth services and a passionate commitment to literacy and engaging young people through library service.  You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a proven track record of motivating and developing staff and building community collaborations. You are knowledgeable about principles and procedures, best practices, trends and developments related to youth services with extensive knowledge of youth literature and programming and the ability to share this information with staff and the public.  Requires the ability to speak, understand, and write English clearly and concisely.  Requires a Master’s degree in Library Science, five or more years’ recent, progressively responsible, and professional library experience in youth services, and a Washington State Librarian Certificate (or ability to acquire Certificate).  Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. New employees are subject to a CRC (criminal records check) per RCW 43.43.832.

The Library System: WCLS has been providing library service in Whatcom County since 1944, currently through ten branches, a bookmobile and outreach services.  With a reputation for exceptional customer service, innovation, and fiscal accountability, WCLS holds a collection of more than 380,000 items and has implemented services such as downloadable eBooks, e-magazines, e-music and e-audiobooks, chat reference service, text messaging, homework help, and a mobile app.  WCLS strives to provide top-notch library services in an energetic environment that fosters professional growth, creative problem solving, collaboration and an appreciation for humor.

Location: Bellingham, located in Whatcom County, Washington.  Perennially recognized by the national media as one of the best places to live in America, Whatcom County is a place that truly has something for everyone.  With magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Baker, hiking, water sports, arts and theatre, and charming communities, Whatcom County is a unique area of Washington State.  Located 90 minutes from Seattle and within an hour of Vancouver, British Columbia, the County’s northern border with Canada gives it a unique flavor geared to cross-border shopping and outdoor recreation.

Position: FLSA exempt management position with 40 regular scheduled weekly hours; some evening and weekend hours may be necessary on an occasional basis.  Successful candidates may be required to adapt to future schedule changes depending on library needs.

Compensation:  Hiring salary range between $63,398 and $ 67,202 annually (negotiable based on qualifications), with excellent benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, 12 paid holidays, employer-paid medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance, Public Employees Retirement System, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), deferred compensation plan and supplemental benefits available, and a fun and innovative work environment that values the contributions of our employees.

Posting Dates:    Friday, 02/13/15 to Tuesday, 03/31/15

Application: Submit a completed WCLS Application Packet* by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, 03/31/15 to:

Christina Read, Human Resources Manager
Whatcom County Library System
5205 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, WA  98226
Phone: (360) 305-3600, ext. 216
Email to: [email protected]

* Application packet must include:

Job Begins: As soon after hiring as possible.

Selection:  Selection criteria may include the contents of the application, oral interviews, public presentation, and skills testing.  Selection of applicants for further consideration and/or possible testing will be determined by the information supplied by the applicants on their applications and accompanying documents. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to supply sufficient information and detail on the application to permit WCLS to properly determine the applicant’s qualifications, abilities and attributes as they relate to the listed position.  Interviews will be scheduled ONLY with best qualified applicants, based upon applications, résumés and other documents received, and test results.  Applicants who need accommodation during the application, testing or interview process should contact Human Resources.

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