Head Of Collections

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

The Washington State Library connects people to the power of libraries. As Washington's oldest cultural institution, the library's unique and rare collections date back to territorial days. Resources include historical print and digital compilations, collections of state newspapers and maps, state and federal government publications, and the Ask-a-Librarian service.

The library benefits local libraries and their patrons through its consulting services, grants, subsidies, training, and programming. Additionally, the Washington State Library provides services to state prison and state hospital libraries. OSOS also operates the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library(WTBBL) in Seattle, a library for people unable to read standard print.

Library & Archival Professional 4

Full Time, Permanent

Help make a difference!

This position reports to the central library services manager and is responsible for preserving and making materials on the government, history, culture, and natural resources of the state, accessible to the public.

Please note: Interviews for this position will be conducted on an ongoing basis. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time.Head of Collections

Tasks include:

• Serves as the head of collections. Provides leadership and strategic direction for all Central Library collections.

• Oversees development, maintenance, and preservation of the Central Library collections. Consults with collection managers regarding their collections. Serves in an advisory role and works to keep collections cohesive and non-redundant.

• Responsible for the management and revision of comprehensive collection development policy for Central Library collections, as well as other guidelines, procedures, and best practices, in cooperation with the collection managers.

• Works with the Catalog Management & Systems Librarian and the collection managers to coordinate collection inventories on an as needed basis.

• Prioritizes and oversees preservation workflow.

• Works with experts and other library staff to conserve materials.

• Manages all aspects of the environmental monitoring system. Maintains the disaster plan.

• Supervises the other collection managers, collection maintenance staff, and government publications staff. Plans, leads, organizes and directs work. Establishes work priorities and time frames; determines workload coverage; and assigns and coordinates activities. Evaluates staff performance, recommends promotion, and assesses training needs.

• Develops and manages the Central Library collection budgets. Determines allotments, monitors expenditures, researches and resolves discrepancies, and provides reports on the budgets to the Central Library Services Manager.

• Provides leadership in the areas of copyright and fair use as they apply to collections and resource sharing and works collaboratively with staff to develop policies and make strategic decisions.

• Contributes collection development and preservation perspectives to discussions on matters of section, program, division, or office-wide importance.

• Participates in the development and implementation of a plan, and standards for, digitization of collection materials in cooperation with collection managers and other staff with knowledge about digitization practices; assists in making sure standards are met; provides training and creates documentation.

• Coordinates the digitization work of staff and maintains awareness about work being done by other Library staff.

Head of Special Collections

Tasks:

• Plans and implements strategic collection development for the Central Library's special collections.

• Utilizes expert level knowledge of special collections to assess collection strengths and weaknesses.

• Reviews book collecting literature and auction catalogs.

• Selects rare materials for the collections.

• Arranges and describes archival collections in accordance with national standards

• Directs the ongoing maintenance and organization of the special collections.

• Recommends materials for digitizing.

• Develops guidelines and procedures for the handling of rare and/or manuscript library materials.

Customer Service, Research Service, and Outreach

Tasks include:

• Provides advanced or focused reference information, and consultation services using knowledge of the special collections and Pacific Northwest history.

• Staffs the customer service points during regularly scheduled shifts and provides backup coverage; determines best way to answer reference questions by conducting thorough reference interviews; responds to requests received via phone, email, and in person.

• Conducts research to respond to information requests; utilizes complex resource materials, catalogs, indexes, databases, and legal materials to identify and analyze sources to answer questions.

• Assists customers with use of all the collections, including federal and state publications, general and specialized reference, newspapers and periodicals, databases, and the website.

• Provides backup pager coverage and retrieves collection materials upon request.

• Promotes the collections.

• Identifies materials and develops and implements activities around those materials that highlight the unique historical collections. This may include workshops, presentations, consultations, book signings, literary events, exhibitions, and the creation of flyers, brochures, and bibliographies, as well as web press releases.

• Establishes relationships with state, federal, and local agencies, and outside organizations, to explore potential partnerships and promote the historical collections.  Such activities may include assisting the Pacific Northwest collection manager with compiling and drafting the regular column "Northwest History News Notes" for Pacific Northwest Quarterly and consulting with members of the Governor's Mansion Foundation on questions relating to management and maintenance of the Mansion Library collection and assisting with cataloging and other tasks as needed.

Library & Archival Professional 4

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master's degree in library science and from an American Library Association accredited program

• Five years of experience as a professional librarian

• One year of experience as a lead worker or supervisor performing the following tasks; interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, and directing work and evaluating staff or volunteers

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATION

• One year of experience as a professional librarian, providing reference services

• Knowledge of current trends in library collection development

• Enthusiasm for and proven ability in, developing and managing customer focused collections

• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest history, especially Washington State history

• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest literature especially Washington State literature

• Knowledge of curatorial special collections and preservation practices

• Knowledge of the history of the book and the book arts

• Knowledge of government publications

• Knowledge of DACS (Describing Archives, a Content Standard) and EAD (Encoded Archival Description)

• Advanced knowledge of specific library theories, principles, and practices - including intellectual property rights, copyright, rights management, and patron and donor privacy, especially as they apply to primary materials in various formats

• Possess broad knowledge of subjects related to the field of librarianship, information technology, and information service delivery

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership within the larger organization

• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills and etiquette, both oral and written

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires working in adverse conditions (e.g., working with moldy or dusty materials or in areas that are cramped and/or somewhat confining) with or without reasonable accommodation. Working in office setting, warehouse, sitting for long periods of time and standing for long periods of time; ability to move or maneuver 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation. Full Time, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Washington State Librarian Certification

• Willingness to sign a Confidentiality Agreement

How to Apply

• Required: To be considered for this position you must attach the following:

• Letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the duties and qualifications of the position.

• Current resume

• Three Professional references. Personal references will not be considered.

• You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered.

• All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process.  You must black out your social security number before attaching it to your application.

The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any real or perceived sensory, mental or physical ability. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in alternative format, should email hr@sos.wa.gov