Assistant Manager (Jail)

General Job Information

Job Summary

The DC Public Library manages a leisure library at the DC Jail, serving the incarcerated population housed at two connected facilities: the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) and the Central Detention Facility (CDF). Both facilities are managed and operated by the DC Department of Corrections. DCPL operates a walk-in library housed within the education unit at the CTF and provides mobile book cart service to residents of CDF.

The Assistant Manager at the DC Jail Library is part of the Service Design and Engagement Department at DCPL. The Assistant Manager reports to the Health & Human Services Manager and works closely with staff at the Department of Corrections to ensure library services are provided in accordance with Department of Corrections regulations and operations.

The DC Jail is a secure facility operated and managed by the DC Department of Corrections. As such, the DCPL Jail Library is operating inside the space of another agency and requires an Assistant Manager who can effectively manage a program across two government agencies, working collaboratively with staff and administration at both agencies.

The Assistant Manager's tour of duty is Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm and will report daily to the DC Jail. Entrance into the jail requires a daily full body scan; no personal cell phones are allowed inside the facility; anything coming into the jail must be in a clear container. Meetings with DCPL colleagues typically take place outside the jail, usually at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

Duties & Responsibilities

Primary focus areas for this position include:

• Work with the DCPL Health & Human Services Manager, DCPL Collection Development staff, and DC DOC staff to plan and deliver library services and programs that effectively meet the needs of the incarcerated population in the DC Jail.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the jail library including supervision of other DCPL staff (Library Associate and DCPL staff substitutes)

• Administer library lending service and library programming in the DC Jail.

• Assist in evaluating the service and adjusting the service delivery method based on evaluation results.

• Ensure a yearly Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the DCPL and DOC.

General Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee all components of the jail library program including book service, special programs, surveys, reporting, library card distribution, book selection, etc.

• Supervise DCPL on-site staff including a full-time Library Associate. Staff management includes hiring, evaluation, and day to-day task management.

• Serve as the primary DCPL on-site point of contact with the DOC administration.

• Develop and administer inmate surveys to ensure materials meet the wants and needs of the inmate population.

• Collection maintenance work, including suggesting materials for purchase for the jail library and withdrawal of books and other materials which are obsolete, worn, or are no longer needed. Recommend duplication or replacement of titles.

• Assist customers in selecting books; suggest titles of interest; fit books to the needs of the individual; explain the resources available through the DC Jail Library.

• Develop and deliver programming that meets the needs of the inmate population.

• Participate in all mandatory DOC staff safety and security trainings.

• Communicate and coordinate with DCPL and DOC's office of communications regarding special guests, dignitaries visiting the jail library, and press inquiries.

• Attend in-service trainings and participate in workshops, meetings, seminars, etc. directly related to professional development and share information received through written and/or oral reports. Stay informed of trends and developments in library science and subject areas.

• Participate in evaluating and monitoring the jail library service; prepare reports on program outputs and outcomes.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience & Experience

A Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an accredited college or plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience preferred working in a jail, prison, or detention facility. Incumbent must possess a minimum of two (2) of managerial experience or one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level. In addition, the following is required:

• No visible tattoos or body-piercings other than pierced ears.

• Must be able to pass an enhanced criminal background check and a TB test.

• Ability to work independently and to exercise independent judgment in the implementation of organizational initiatives.

• Ability to maintain calm and stay composed in difficult situations and to stay focused on the task at hand.

• Ability to work in a detention center or jail environment without access to free movement within the facility.

• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and administration at two government agencies.

• Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred.

Residency Requirement

A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 950) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected the person shall be required to present, no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

General Suitability Screening

This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.

Enhanced Suitability Screening

The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening; If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

Employment Benefits

Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government's retirement plan. However, if selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in a secured setting.

Other Significant Factors

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS).

MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Promotion Potential - None

Equal Employment Opportunity

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.

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