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Library Senior Librarian (Community Learning Assistant Manager)

City of Suffolk
July 20, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Suffolk, Virginia, United States
$62,530 - $65,696 USD yearly

Description

Under limited supervision, serves as the assistant manager of the Community Learning Department and is responsible for helping direct and advance the department’s strategic and operational work by planning, leading, managing, and evaluating: in conjunction with the Community Learning Manager, the programs, classes, events, and other learning opportunities of all library locations, including offsite programming in partnership with the Community Engagement Department, for customers of all ages and abilities. Responsible for guiding cross-functional and cross-divisional projects and strategic initiatives by helping teams establish priorities, define project plans, remove barriers, monitor progress, and achieve desired outcomes. Ensures that all services are in alignment with the library's and department’s strategic goals and are implemented effectively. Responsible for supervising, training, and evaluating subordinate staff, establishing standards for services and programs, monitoring the Community Learning budget, tracking progress on departmental goals and initiatives, researching and formulating long range goals, developing policies, and planning and evaluating programs, services, and goals. Reports to the Community Learning Library Manager. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

- Supervises, supports, and develops staff, including hiring support, training, scheduling, work assignment, ongoing feedback, and completion of formal performance evaluations.

· Provides leadership coaching and operational support to assigned Community Learning teams, mentoring team leads in project management, team leadership, strategic planning, and workflow management. 

· Leads and coordinates departmental strategic planning initiatives, including facilitating planning processes, establishing timelines, documenting goals and outcomes, and monitoring progress toward completion.

· Participates in hiring process for full-time and part-time library staff.

· Coordinates and directs work activities; organizes, prioritizes and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress toward goals and inspects completed work; consults with staff; provides guidance and assists with complex or cross-functional initiatives.

· Supervises and evaluates operations of area of responsibility, programs, and services by making location visits and meeting with staff.

· Examines statistical data to make workflow improvements or schedule changes.

·Assists Community Learning staff as they develop and coordinate programs, classes, events, and other learning opportunities to provide service to the community as a reflection of current community needs and library goals.

· Provides classes, events, and programs to the community and staff. 

· Assists with the development, monitoring, and implementation of the relevant budget.

· Directs and supports internal departmental teams and workgroups to advance strategic initiatives, ensuring sustained momentum, accountability, and alignment with Community Learning priorities.

· Assists in ensuring compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards.

· Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, receipts, requests for materials, supply orders, patron records, statistical data, in-house manuals, patron guides or other documents.

· Maintains records, reports, and documentation related to departmental projects, strategic initiatives, and outcomes; analyzes progress and recommends adjustments as needed.

· Assists patrons in all aspects of public service, including locating information from print and non-print sources, teaching patrons how to use library catalog, databases, and assisting patrons with concerns about library policy.

· Coordinates programs and services by working with agencies and organizations outside the library to develop programs of mutual interest, working with City departments, and ensuring that services are reaching the community.

· Acts as a mentor to staff by assisting with their professional development and morale, and providing assistance as needed.

· Serves as Library Manager in their absence.

· Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Master's Degree in an ALA accredited program in Library Science or possession of Librarian's Professional Certificate from the Commonwealth of Virginia State Library Board, and 3 to 5 years of professional level public library experience in a library setting, including 1 to 2 years of administrative/supervisory responsibilities; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Requires a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

  • Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and or departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position.

  • Knowledge of team leadership, staff support, and project coordination, with an emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement. 

  • Knowledge and understanding of technological needs of a library system and able to continually evaluate the current operating system to update, maintain, improve, and change the system to ensure optimal operations for both public access and staff users.

  • Knowledge of the terminology, principles and methods utilized within the department.

  • Knowledge of the methods and techniques for development and administering programs.

  • Knowledge of the principles of supervision, and able to effectively lead, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.

  • Knowledge of local and national library policy effecting the provision of library services and able to determine the application of policy to daily activities.

  • Knowledge and proficiency of computers and software programs typically utilized in the position.

  • Skilled and responsible for actions of others, requiring development of procedures and constant decisions affecting subordinate workers, customers, or others in the general public; works in a very fluid environment with guidelines but significant variation.

  • Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously by establishing priorities, monitoring progress, facilitating collaboration, and adapting to changing organizational needs. 

  • Ability to troubleshoot specific operating problems and correct to ensure continuous operating. Understands the technical services areas of the library system and able to provide supervisory assistance in performing such tasks.

  • Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, administrative changes, or related operations updates as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.

  • Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.

  • Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, supervisors, and members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.

  • Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.

  • Ability to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.

  • Ability to use mathematical formulas to perform required calculations.

  • Ability to read, understand, and interpret technical reports and related materials.

  • Ability to coordinate or determine time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities.

  • Ability to instruct and train others through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice or makes recommendations based on technical expertise.

  • Ability to assists with achieving moderate economies and/or preventing moderate losses through the management of a small division.

  • Ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.

  • Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals; speaks to groups of employees, other public and private groups.

  • Ability to perform supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people and work related problems; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.

  • Ability to make moderately serious impact decisions - affects work unit and may affect other units or citizens.

  • Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with job-related equipment.

  • Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

  • Ability to adapt and perform under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.