Senior Collection Management Librarian

Acquisitions & Cataloging

Pierce County Library System

Note about the role:

Strong technical skills in Acquisitions and Cataloging along with the ability to lead and communicate well are essential.

There are two Senior Collection Management Librarian positions within the Collection Management department; this Senior Collection Management Librarian position supports the Acquisitions & Cataloging team. Strong communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style, will be essential for this role. In addition, a willingness to learn and apply strategies for equity, diversity, access, and inclusion is expected.  

This position is part of the Collection Management leadership group and the Acquisitions & Cataloging team, working collaboratively with other teams in both the Collection Management the Customer Experience departments. This role assists the Collection Management Director; this work includes identifying topics for discussion and problem-solving, leading and facilitating conversations and meetings, and identifying training and development on a wide range of topics relevant to Collection Management. For more information about the skills needed to succeed in supervisory roles at PCLS, please read PCLS’s Leadership Competencies and Core Skills and Qualities.

Hiring Range: $79,340 - $91,972 annually; Pay Grade Range: $79,340 – $109,815 annually

Compensation

Pierce County Library System offers a compensation program which recognizes qualifications and experience relevant to each position. The starting pay is established typically within the hiring range below based upon the experience of the individual hired into the role. Our compensation package also includes annual increases for each additional year of experience and tenure in the role, up to the maximum (current year maximum outlined in pay grade range above). Eligibility for overtime is exclusive to positions which are FLSA status non-exempt below.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Regular

Hours Per Week: 40

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. 

Union Status: Represented

Candidate Submission Timelines:

TRANSFER Candidates: transfer eligible candidates internal to PCLS will be given first consideration for this position through the Transfer Closure date. Please review the Sharepoint Transfer Process Overview.

EXTERNAL OR NON-Transfer INTERNAL Candidates: To be considered for this position please submit your resume and up to 4 additional attachments to display your knowledge, skills and abilities for consideration for this position no later than 5:00 p.m. on closing date below.

Submissions after the Closure Date below will not be considered:

• Transfer Closure Date: Friday, July 11, 2025 at 5:00pm
• External or Non-Transfer Internal Candidates Closure Date: Friday, July 18, 2025 at 5:00pm

Veteran Status: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should select the percentage that they qualify for, 5% or 10% during the application. More information about veteran’s preference, such as the difference in percentage can be found here and here.  If you need more information please contact us at:HR@pcls.us

Position Summary: Senior Collection Management Librarian

Under the direction of the Collection Management Manager, plans, coordinates and supervises the daily operations of an assigned work group for the Pierce County Library System. Performs a variety of professional librarian functions related to selection, cataloging and management of library collections; leads and directs staff activities and workflow in assigned area, works collaboratively to carry out department and System plans and projects, and performs other specialized duties relative to area of assignment.

Essential Functions:

Class specifications are intended to provide a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Delivers high-quality, customer-focused services to both internal and external customers
• Analyzes and evaluates service requirements and customer needs; recommends and implements changes to improve operational efficiency and/or better serve customers; develops goals and objectives for assigned area.
• Develops documentation, training tools and provides technical guidance for staff.
• Develops and maintains vendor relationships; negotiates contracts and agreements.
• Uses data to analyze and understand effectiveness of tools and processes; applies evidence in decision making and evaluation.
• Works with the Collection Management Manager to hire, train, supervise, discipline, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
• Prepares and maintains employee schedules; contacts and schedules substitute personnel to ensure appropriate levels of staff coverage; reviews and signs employee timecards.
• Assists management in identifying appropriate training to develop the learning organization environment of the department.
• Acts on behalf of the Collection Management Manager in his/her absence as required.
• Responds to and resolves staff and customer inquiries and complaints; represents the Library to the community.
• Leads special projects and/or serves on Library committees as assigned.
• Ensures staff has accurate knowledge of library policies, procedures and service standards, both internal and external, and has the ability to communicate them effectively to the public.
• Demonstrates punctuality and regular and consistent attendance.
• Brings matters of public concern regarding waste, inefficiency, corruption, discrimination, and safety to the attention of Library Management.
• Accurately communicates the Library’s policies to members of the public in all job-related contacts.
• Positively reflects Pierce County Library System’s mission, vision, and values to members of the public and to staff.
• Performs other specialized duties relative to area of assignment as assigned or required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Duties are considered non-essential and include the following:

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to Collection Management Manager; supervises assigned personnel.

Core Skills & Qualities / Leadership Competencies

Employees are expected to demonstrate the following qualities at all times:

• Customer Focus

• Teamwork

• Communications

• Leadership

• Problem Solving

• Change and Learning

• Positive Attitude

• Professional Integrity

• Diversity

Leaders are expected to demonstrate the following competencies at all times:

• Builds Trustworthy Relationships

• Communicates Effectively

• Builds Successful Teams

• Manages and Develops People

• Achieves Results

• Facilitates Innovation and Change

• Demonstrates Leadership

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

Minimum Requirements including Education, License or Certifications:

• Master’s Degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS) required, and

• At least three years of progressively responsible public library work with cataloging, electronic resource management, Interlibrary Loan or collection management preferred, and

• One year supervisory experience in a public library preferred; OR

• Any combination of education (MLS/MLIS) and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skills and allows successful performance of the job.

• State of Washington Librarian Certification is required.

• Depending on area of assignment, a valid Washington State Driver’s License may be required.

• Must pass criminal background screening prior to hire.

• The ability to work evenings and weekends on a rotating schedule and to adapt to schedule changes on short notice is required.

• Current trends and developments in the field of public library services, collection management, cataloging and discoverability.

• Cataloging and classification standards, principles, practices and techniques

• Specialized operations relative to area of assignment.

• Collection maintenance and development principles.

• Automated library systems, library technology and electronic resource systems.

• Customer service standards and protocols.

• Supervisory principles, practices, and methods.

• Computers and Windows-based software.

• Coordinating and performing a variety of professional librarian functions.

• Facilitating the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused library services to customers.

• Learning and applying new knowledge, technology and processes to assigned area.

• Building collaborative relationships across departments and functions to achieve customer focused outcomes and desired system results.

• Overseeing and coordinating the daily operations of assigned area

• Responding to inquiries and providing customer service to the public and staff.

• Conducting specialized duties relative to area of assignment.

• Supervising, leading, coaching, and delegating tasks and authority.

Technology Requirements:

Required:

• Ability to effectively navigate basic electronic record creation and storage (e.g. timecard/HRIS, performance review, network drive storage)

• Use of basic office equipment (e.g. PC, printer, phone, fax, mouse, security alarm)

• Basic keyboard and alpha/numeric data entry skills

• Basic PC navigation skills in a windows based environment; ability to connect and print

• Ability to navigate, search and use basic web functions and applications

• Intermediate MS Office Suite skills (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel) to satisfactorily complete job responsibilities

• Experience with time and attendance systems or processes

• Ability to collect, audit, analyze data sufficient to formulate recommendations and make decisions as required by position

• Experience in ebook management

• Experience with Integrated Library System, Inventory or Data Management system 

• Ability to document instruction, troubleshoot, and teach basic level MS Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel) to satisfactorily complete job responsibilities

Desired:

• Troubleshoot and teach basic level questions regarding the above

• Presentation software

• Work order systems

• HR systems

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in a normal office setting that provides comfortable lighting, temperature and air conditions. Occasional light lifting, such as three to four reams of paper, four or five books, or other library materials up to 35 pounds may be required. Subject to sitting and standing for extended periods of time, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting objects weighing up to 30-35 pounds. May lift or push up to 50 pounds as needed with assistance.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.

Work may be performed in a library environment and involve regular contact with the public, and/or require push/pull loaded carts.

Benefits:

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Medical, Dental, and Basic Life Insurance
• State Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees have an opportunity to participate in the Tax Sheltered Annuity Program and the Deferred Compensation Program
• Additional life insurance for the employee and family is available through payroll deduction.