Head of Community Engagement

About the Role

The Head of Community Engagement (HCE) creates events and services that connect the library with its community, organizing, planning, developing, and operating library events for all ages, both onsite and off. The HCE oversees the resources and services available to the Outreach Department and the system's bookmobile, managing six direct reports and indirectly supervising a portion of branch-level coordinators' work.

Responsibilities

• Direct supervisor for Adult Services Specialist, Youth Services Specialist, Programming Assistant, Adult Literacy Coordinator, ESL Assistant, and Outreach Manager/Coordinator.
• Assigns priorities, analyzes operations, and coordinates activities for the Community Engagement and Outreach departments.
• Plans and coordinates all aspects of library events, including creating and managing forms and procedures with Library Administration.
• Works with the Outreach Manager/Coordinator to facilitate positive community engagement, foster partnerships, and bring services to underserved or remote areas.
• Ensures the Outreach Department operates efficiently with access to necessary resources and staffing.
• Coordinates community engagement, including oversight of recurring and one-time events, scheduling with Branch Managers, and tracking attendance, statistics, and evaluations.
• Works events at library branches and participates in offsite functions such as festivals and school events.
• Monitors and mentors Adult and Youth Coordinators by attending events and offering improvement suggestions.
• Interprets library policies and procedures for the public and staff.
• Participates in hiring, supervising, training, developing, and evaluating Community Engagement and Outreach staff.
• Develops and implements large-scale library events, including Comic-Con, Summer Reading Programs, and the Livingston Parish Library Book Festival.
• Develops and maintains positive relations with community partners to strengthen the Livingston Parish community.
• Serves as a member of the library's Leadership Team and participates in continuing education at local, state, and national levels.
• Stays up-to-date on librarianship topics through conferences, professional organizations, and literature.
• Participates in selection duties in collaboration with the Head of Collection Development.
• Develops and monitors appropriate budgets under the supervision of the Library Director.
• Identifies and seeks grant opportunities.
• Tracks statistics related to department services and events and provides reports to Library Administration.
• Works with the Public Information Officer to inform patrons of events and initiatives through newsletters, social media, and community partnerships.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in library science.
• Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in professional library work within an adult or youth services department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience working in a public, school, or academic library.
• Experience creating, organizing, and running community events for 100 or more people.
• Experience in public speaking.

Skills

• Ability to think critically, make sound independent judgments, and decisions.
• Knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices of public library management.
• Ability to ascertain community needs and develop responsive programs and events.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate department activities to foster a conducive and high-morale environment.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to develop presentations for community partners promoting library programs and services.
• Ability to manage time effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to resolve problems and conflicts with diplomacy and discretion.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.