Branch Librarian with MLIS/MLS

Job Title: Branch Librarian with MLIS/MLS

Location: Tonasket

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Hourly/Full Time Position
Wage: Grade 120, $31.80-$42.73 per hour

Bargaining Unit: Unit 1

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Branch Librarian is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing the programs, public services, and collection maintenance at a community library branch. With the support of their Area Manager, this engaged and hands-on leader actively cultivates and maintains strong local partnerships, provides impactful programming designed to meet local needs and opportunities, ensures all community members have access to robust library services, and supports the daily operational needs of the library.

This personable and collaborative professional uses their strong communication and presentation skills to represent NCW Libraries to the community-at-large and when connecting with city representatives, the local Friends of the Library, partnering organizations, and community groups. They regularly rely on their understanding of and alignment with the library’s mission, vision, and strategic directions.

This position reports to and receives guidance from an Area Manager.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

At NCW Libraries, we believe that the foundation of our success lies in the unique abilities and skills each team member brings to the table. The core competencies outlined below represent the key attributes and behaviors that are essential for excelling in this role. We seek individuals who embody these qualities and are committed to fostering a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative work environment. If you possess these competencies, we encourage you to apply and join us in driving NCW Libraries forward.

• Ethical Practice: Consistently demonstrates integrity through behavior, character, and action. Reliably applies good judgment that reflects organizational values.
• Professionalism: Completes work to a set standard, both as an individual and part of a team. Exhibits competence and proficiency, and consistently demonstrates accountability. Serves as a positive representative of the library district both at work and in the community.
• Building Respectful Relationships: Promotes confidentiality and trust, fosters a positive culture, and exhibits respect with all verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration: Provides concise, timely, and accurate information through appropriate channels, internally and externally. Welcomes and offers constructive feedback. Listens actively and works effectively with others to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Adaptability: Responds positively to organizational change and shows a willingness and flexibility to learn and develop. Able to assess and make decisions in the moment, even when lacking complete information. Remains calm during tense or challenging situations or periods of stress.
• Valuing Diversity & Promoting Inclusiveness: Values diverse perspectives, consistently exhibits inclusive behavior, and cultivates respect for all individuals, groups, and cultures. Approaches relationships and communication with staff and community with respect and recognizes opportunities for their own personal learning and growth.
• Library Advocacy & Intellectual Freedom: Promotes and supports the fundamental purpose of the public library, including mission, vision, and strategic directions of NCW Libraries. Understands and can articulate the library’s role in providing free and equal access to ideas, information, resources, and services, from all points of view, without restriction, to every individual.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The list below is intended to describe the general content of and major responsibilities for performance of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of job duties or requirements.

• Designs and implements new programs and outreach opportunities that are responsive to changing community needs and demographic trends, and that accomplish organizational goals and mission. Anticipates future informational and programmatic needs of the community.
• Refines and enhances established programs and outreach opportunities by analyzing relevant data, staying informed of library trends, and pursuing regular professional development.
• Initiates opportunities for the library to expand its reach and impact in the assigned community by developing strong partnerships, representing the library on local advisory boards or task forces, and maintaining strong working relationships with key community stakeholders, including individuals and organizations from civic, business, education, and cultural communities.
• Partners with the Area Manager in branch goal setting and planning. Develops and implements goals and plans for branch programs, services, events, and collections.
• Provides prompt and courteous support to library patrons and members of the general public. Applies expertise and specialty skills to effectively respond to patron needs in the areas of reader’s advisory, informational services, and technology resources. Provides guidance and direction to other building staff in support of excellent customer service in the above areas where applicable.
• Organizes and oversees the flow of materials, deliveries, shelving, routing and other materials control functions. In collaboration with the Collections Department, ensures collections are right-sized and maximized for circulation of materials by leading and managing weeding, merchandising, or display projects as assigned.
• Assists patrons with all circulation procedures including check-in and check-out, card registration, and account resolution. Regularly reviews patron accounts and item records within ILS to ensure consistency, compliance with district standards, and clean record keeping. Takes payments for library fees as needed.
• Promotes and supports principles of Intellectual Freedom with staff and patrons. Resolves related concerns and redirects to appropriate source as needed.
• Upholds the NCW Libraries’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all interactions with employees, colleagues, and members of the public. Applies this lens when planning programs, partnerships, spaces, and collections to counter structural inequities and barriers to access.
• Positively responds to all customer complaints whether received directly or via other library staff. Maintains a high level of professionalism and customer service while resolving patron code of conduct violations and when confronted with challenging patrons.
• Responds to building maintenance and safety issues and emergencies as needed, including prompt and collaborative communication with the designated building-owner’s representative. Tracks issue resolution and elevates major concerns to supervisor and Facilities Manager.
• Facilitates the use of library meeting space by members of the public, ensuring that spaces remain clean and organized and that any equipment is in working order. Upholds library policies related to public meeting room use.
• Ensures that all NCW Libraries policies and procedures are being followed at the branch. Provides input for improvement of policies and procedures that directly impact branch services and operations.
• Promotes library materials, services, and programs by developing displays and sharing information during customer interactions. Collaborates with marketing and communications to successfully promote programs as needed.
• Writes or facilitates the creation of social media content, blogs, articles, reviews, or other written pieces as needed or assigned.
• Performs other library support services including opening and closing the building and maintaining the library in a neat, clean, and orderly condition. May occasionally provide janitorial services to address unexpected messes.

SECONDAY DUTIES:

• Collaborates with supervisor as needed to ensure branch coverage.
• In partnership with the Area Manager, oversees onboarding of new staff.
• Participates in staff meetings and on committees and teams as assigned.
• Performs daily cash handling and register functions.
• Engages with the broader library community beyond NCW Libraries (e.g., conference work, advisory roles, committee assignments).
• Attends training and professional development opportunities as assigned.
• Performs seasonal tasks such as shoveling snow and spreading ice melt.

• Performs other duties as assigned, apparent, or required, including the work of lower classifications as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Branch Librarian does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but does provide direction to other job classes as necessary to accomplish operational tasks and deliver library services at their assigned location. The position may direct the work of branch volunteers where applicable.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• Three years of related experience with experience in a public library preferred.

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• WA State Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed primarily in a busy public library setting with extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, working in front of a computer monitor, and engaging in conversations (in person and over the phone). Multiple interruptions, troubleshooting, and problem-solving are illustrative of the environmental requirements of the position.
• Regularly requires lifting or moving items of up to 25 pounds, and occasionally requires lifting or moving items of up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally requires working off-site in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.
• Some early morning, evening, and weekend work is required.