• Library Neighborhood Services Manager

    City of Tacoma WA (Tacoma, WA)


    

     

    Library Neighborhood Services Manager

     

    Salary

     

    $102,689.60 - $125,278.40 Annually

     

    Location

     

    Tacoma, WA

     

    Job Type

     

    Classified

     

    Job Number

     

    9071-26

     

    Department

     

    Library

     

    Opening Date

     

    01/16/2026

     

    Closing Date

     

    2/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

     

    + Description

    + Benefits

    + Questions

    Position Description

    We are looking for a compassionate, courageous, and creative leader to manage a region of libraries in the Tacoma Public Library system. In addition to managing library staff, you will plan, organize, and implement library programs, services, and initiatives in order to meet community needs. The ideal candidate has demonstrated success practicing and leading others in understanding racial equity and social justice, teaching concepts, facilitating discussions, co-creating programs, and implementing work practices.

    Responsibilities include:

    + Oversee library services at assigned branches ensuring all communities have access to high-quality library resources, services, and programs, with an emphasis on radically welcoming patron service

    + Lead assigned staff with your mind and heart so that employees feel valued and are able to bring their best selves to work every day; show care and respect; be consistent, fair and equitable; inspire; give autonomy and trust; bring joy; and communicate effectively

    + Center racial equity in programs, services and decisions

    + Foster a workplace culture that understands, values and practices racial equity

    + Conduct outreach and develop partnerships with community organizations and a diverse range of library users

    + Contribute to the development and implementation of work plans based on Tacoma Public Library’s Strategic Plan

    + Assign work to staff and ensure employees are focused on achieving desired outcomes; measures goal progress, outcomes, and impacts

    Qualifications

    + Bachelor’s degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field, Master’s degree preferred

    + Three years of related experience including one year in a leadership role

    + Experience developing, planning, and presenting activities, programs and outreach to children, teens and/or adults

    + Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends in urban public libraries

    LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

    Frequent travel to library branches and community organizations within the Puget Sound region, a valid Washington State Driver's License or equivalent mobility is required.

    DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

    American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies or Master’s in Library Science and Washington State Librarian's Certification. Fluency in more than one language.

     

    Knowledge & Skills

     

    + Broad, general knowledge of materials, authors, and resources in a variety of subject areas

    + Strong commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage

    + Experience creating and conducting a variety of innovative programs that meet community needs

    + Use data and information in a clear and rational process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions, and make sound decisions

    + Maintains a working knowledge of trends in librarianship, through webinars, internal training, meetings, conferences, professional literature and organizational memberships

    + Creates and sustains an organizational culture that encourages others to provide high quality service and high performance

    + Open to change and new information, adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, unexpected obstacles, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear

    + Builds partnerships with local organizations to meet the needs of community users

    + Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking, and presentation skills

    + Successfully demonstrates ability to work as part of a team

    + Strong organization and planning skills, including the ability to balance multiple projects or priorities simultaneously

    + Strong computer and technology skills, including an integrated library system (ILS), MS Office suite, cloud applications, PCs, Macs and mobile devices

    + Demonstrated knowledge of computer services including online searching, social media, reference resources and databases

     

    Selection Process & Supplemental Information

    Tacoma Public Library Stands Against Racism and White Supremacy

    Tacoma Public Library is opposed to white supremacy in all of its forms and is committed to fostering an organization that is actively anti-racist. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We are grieving with our black community and all communities of color who continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism. We are committed to being a trusted community resource available to all and will provide resources and public programs that seek to reflect the values of anti-racism and elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

    Tacoma Public Library

    Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for more than 125 years. TPL's neighborhood libraries originated with Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century and are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service--and vital community hubs--that continue to provide far more than free books and materials. Learn more about the Tacoma Public Library and the services we provide at www.tacomalibrary.org and connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TacomaPublicLibrary) , Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tacomalibrary/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/tacomalibrary) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcroston/) to stay up to date on exciting things happening at the library, and to be notified of other career opportunities with us.

     

    Apply

     

    Interested individuals should apply online and attach resume and cover letter.

     

    Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental questionnaire scored, and those with passing scores will be ranked on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 117.

     

    Compensation & Benefits

    Pay Details:

    Hourly Rate: $49.37 - $60.23

     

    Annual Salary: $102,689.60 - $125,278.40

     

    Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)

     

    Get Assistance

     

    For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

     

    For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

     

    Communication with the City of Tacoma

     

    We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

     

    Insurance Plans: You may participate in one of several group health insurance programs. Employees and their dependents are covered by a medical-surgical-hospital plan, vision plan, dental plan, and employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance and Deferred Compensation options are also available.

     

    Employees are covered by the State Industrial Insurance Act.

     

    Paid leave: Library Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).

     

    Retirement: All employees of the Library except part-time Pages, temporary employees, and certain project employees, are included in the City of Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacorna.org or by calling (253) 502-8200. All members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System are also covered by Social Security.

     

    The Tacoma Public Library is not a department of the City of Tacoma and the Library's employees are not employees of the City. The Library is a separate entity with its own governing body. The Library's governing body is the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees.

     

    Employees of the City of Tacoma who accept employment with the Tacoma Public Library will lose their City of Tacoma employee seniority. They will also find that their leave accruals, and some of the benefits enjoyed as employees of the City of Tacoma do not carry over when they are hired for a position with the Tacoma Public Library.

     

    01

     

    What is your level of education?

     

    + Bachelor's degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field

    + Master's degree or above in Library or Information Science

    + Master's degree or above in Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field

    + None of the Above

     

    02

     

    Do you have 3 years of related experience providing services that meet a community need including at least one year of leadership?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    03

     

    Do you have experience developing, planning, and presenting activities, programs and outreach to children, teens and/or adults?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    04

     

    Do you have knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends in urban public libraries?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    05

     

    Are you fluent in more than one language?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    06

     

    If you answered yes to question 6, please list what language(s) you are fluent in. If you answered no, please put N/A.

     

    07

     

    Please describe how you apply an equity lens to library management.

     

    08

     

    Please describe a project where you worked with cross-functional teams.

     

    09

     

    Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

     

    + Job Interest Card notification

    + Professional organization

    + Military organization

    + City of Tacoma employee

    + Online job board posting

    + Word of mouth

    + LinkedIn

    + Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)

    + Indeed

    + Facebook

    + Instagram

    + Careers in Government

    + Government Jobs

    + Outreach Event

    + National Diversity Network

    + African American Job Network

    + Disability Job Network

    + Asian Job Network

    + Latino Job Network

    + Retirement Job Network

    + LGBT Job Network

    + Veteran Job Network

    + Other

     

    10

     

    Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

    Required Question

    Employer

     

    City of Tacoma

     

    Address

     

    Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

     

    Phone

     

    253-591-5400

     

    Website

     

    http://www.tacoma.gov

     

    Apply

     

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