JOB NUMBER: 2025-00042

King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a resilient and adaptable Operations Manager (OM) for the Carnation and Skykomish communities.

The ideal candidate will be able to model and champion excellent customer service, support Intellectual Freedom, work with diverse populations in a service role, and exhibit the ability to work directly with the public in sometimes challenging situations. The Operations Manager will focus on providing service at the Carnation and the Skykomish Libraries, but will also provide direct support to the Glacier Region staff and act as a member of the library management team serving the Carnation, Duvall, Kingsgate, Kirkland, Skykomish, and Woodinville libraries.

About the Opportunity:

As an Operations Manager, you will direct the work of staff and perform a variety of administrative and technical tasks related to library operations, including scheduling, payroll, patron service, patron behavior management, and facilities management. In this position, you will have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with the Glacier Region management team to ensure the most efficient use of staff and resources
• Provide managerial support and supervision to ensure effective and efficient operations
• Provide coaching and mentorship to frontline library staff
• Support the delivery of library services consistent with KCLS's mission, vision, and values

The successful candidate will be able to assess and analyze situations and problems, logically find solutions, and successfully integrate and manage multiple systems and priorities to produce efficient library operations.

About King County Library System (KCLS):

KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc.

KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire.

Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email [email protected].

KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties

The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Serves as building manager and manages staffing and workflow, with primary responsibility for safe and efficient daily operations, including scheduling to meet operational and public service needs. Resolves operational issues and refers to appropriate resource when necessary.
• Promotes a collaborative, inclusive, equitable and positive library environment. Resolves staff and patron incidents, problems, concerns, and conflicts under Code of Conduct, Bans or Trespass procedures.
• Serves as primary contact and onsite resource for volunteers, vendors, Friends of the Library, community groups, security, and emergency services.
• Collaborates with Public Service Coordinators and department heads in developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures for circulation and operations.
• Models, promotes, and supports Intellectual Freedom (IF) principles with staff and patrons. Conducts inclusive conversations on IF principles and resolves related concerns or redirects to appropriate source.
• Implements initiatives and assists with regional communications as a member of regional management team. Engages staff in safety drills and oversees Safety Designate and site safety measures.
• Coordinates with ITS and Facilities staff and contractors regarding equipment and facility related needs. Submits related help desk tickets and tracks progress of requests and outcomes.
• Oversees and manages ordering of office and equipment materials and supplies.
• Applies all KCLS Human Resources policies and procedures, including workplace standards, leave, pay, and accommodation administration.
• Works with KCLS Human Resources to fill open positions.
• Communicates with discretion regarding staff and patron issues.
• Schedules and monitors required staff training for direct reports. Provides training for non-direct reports where applicable.
• Manages and approves payroll time entries and leave requests, backing up other team members as needed.
• Selects, coaches, trains, develops and manages performance for direct reports.
• Coaches, reviews and disciplines employees, floaters, and substitutes directly when necessary, and provides feedback to supervisors.
• Tracks and monitors assigned budgets.
• Produces reports for assigned facility and functions.
• Performs collection maintenance using system guidelines, lists, requests.

Secondary Duties

• Participates in committees, required training, staff meetings, etc.
• Performs direct reports’ work, as needed.
• Engages with the community and special population groups, as assigned.
• Provides informational and readers’ advisory assistance to patrons, as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Organizational Competencies:

• Customer Focus
• Valuing Diversity
• Ethics, Values, and Judgement
• Professional and Technical Knowledge

Leadership Competencies:

• Coaching and Counseling
• Managerial Courage

Position Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively
• Decision Quality
• Building Effective Teams
• Accountability

Desired Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college
• Four years’ experience in customer service, including decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
• Supervisory and operations management experience or training preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Working knowledge of management practices and principles of supervision including human resources policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of operations, circulation, and public service functions throughout a public library, preferred.
• Working knowledge of budgeting processes.
• Working knowledge and support of the principles of IF.
• Flexible and adapts to changing needs.
• Knowledge of scheduling for multiple staff and service points.
• Clearly, succinctly, and effectively communicates ideas verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated communications and listening skills with diverse populations and staff.
• Conflict resolution skills
• Comfortable with difficult conversations
• Knowledge of resources and current library and office technologies relevant to the job duties.
• Assessing and analyzing situations/problems and logically finding solutions.
• Integrating and managing multiple systems to produce efficient operations.

Professional Licenses and Certifications

Items in this section are applicable to the job and can be required or preferred. Indicate which are preferred.

• A valid Washington driver’s license and insurability as a driver for KCLS is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

• Is changing tasks depending upon the shift.
• Constantly sits and seldom/occasionally will stand and walk.
• Will occasionally reach up or down and frequently reach out.
• Neck rotation may be up to occasional.
• Constantly using hands in conjunction with frequent finger use for keyboarding. This typing may be repetitive up to frequently.
• Up to occasionally operating foot controls.
• Will seldom lift up to 20 lbs.
• Will seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force.
• Extensive close work including use of a PC monitor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a typical library environment.

Incumbent must be available for varied work hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Some travel to meetings required.