Executive Librarian

The Competition Kildare County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary and permanent vacancies may be filled. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Kildare County Council administrative area.

The Candidate The post of Executive Librarian is a professional post requiring a degree in librarianship or a postgraduate qualification in librarianship. The ideal candidate will have satisfactory library experience and be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of: • Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships • Local government structures and its democratic role and mandate • National and international public library policy and strategy • The role of the Executive Librarian and the changing environment in which Kildare Library Service and Kildare County Council operate

The ideal candidate will: • Demonstrate experience and skills in leadership and management; • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills; • Have excellent people management and team membership skills; • Have experience in change management and project management; • Have knowledge of current issues and the future direction of libraries and Local Government. • Be committed to the public interest. • Have satisfactory IT skills including knowledge and understanding of relevant technical ICT packages. • Have a current, full, clean, Class B drivers licence and access to their own car.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they: • Have a commitment to modern and innovative library service delivery; • Are able to work within, and where necessary lead multi-disciplined teams and have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance; • Have a career record that demonstrates a high level of competence in the management of staff; • Have excellent experience in community and stakeholder engagement and be capable of working in partnership with other Kildare County Council Sections and with outside agencies; • Have relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level; Are self-motivated with the ability to work on own initiative. • Have a satisfactory knowledge of procurement and the ability to prepare and manage budgets. • Have a strong understanding of the professional role of the Executive Librarian and of 21st century library services; • Have a satisfactory knowledge of Local Government in Ireland • Understand the changing environment in which Kildare County Council operates and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens; • Have the experience of planning strategically to manage and implement initiatives to enhance library services, infrastructure and collections • Are motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current

Performance Management and Development System (PMDS); • Have strong interpersonal, communications, networking and advocacy skills; • Have an ability to lead in the provision of excellent customer service • Have a good understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of public library services; • Have experience of engaging with and leveraging emerging technologies in library services and operations • Ensuring full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures. • Have good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace; • Have the ability to deputise for colleagues if needed at a senior level and represent the Library Service and Kildare County Council.

Duties and Responsibilities The Executive Librarian is a middle management post within Kildare Library Service. The job profile is likely to evolve as the service changes and develops to meet the changing needs of the public. The Executive Librarian will have responsibility for a section or one of the main public libraries and reports directly to the Senior Executive Librarians and County Librarian. The post requires a high level of professional library and management skills, which include strategic and operational roles.

Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to: • Direction and day to day running of an administrative department within Library HQ or a busy branch library – including lending services, information & reference, cultural and community engagement for adults; literacy supports, study facilities and activity programmes for children. • Planning for the future development of the branch library, or relevant department of the County Library, within current Council policies and strategies. • Supporting the Senior Library Team in the implementation of work programmes and initiatives to deliver the National Public Library Strategy and County Kildare Library Development Plan within Kildare County Council’s Corporate and Operational Plans. • Identifying opportunities for improvements in service delivery and to use key performance indicators or other performance indicators effectively as appropriate. Demonstrating an ability to work under pressure in a cross functional environment and to tight timelines • Promoting library services and growing membership. • Managing and motivating the team within the dept/branch library. • Managing one of the eight smaller branches within the service. • Salary/Wages sign off and administrative duties. • Ensuring that all expenditure, and income, in her/his area of responsibility is managed in accordance with Council policies and regulations. • Ensuring good governance in her/his area of responsibility in respect of health and safety, human resources and staffing matters, child protection, data protection, business continuity, and other relevant matters, in accordance with Council policies. • Planning and direction of programmes and events as part of national and local library strategies; promotion of user education, of literature and culture, including exhibitions, lectures and other creative engagement. • Promoting and marketing library services across traditional and digital platforms to include, but not limited to, press releases, newsletters, social media campaigns and website developments. • Forging strong links between the library and the community. • Working with other library staff to ensure that resources in her/his area of responsibility meet appropriate levels of provision as set out by library management – in the service as a whole and in each library in the network. • Co-ordination of actions and policies service-wide in general terms, in her/his area of responsibility, and provision of advice and support to other staff in developing resources and services in individual service points. • Co-ordination of stock selection service-wide, ensuring a balance in stock selection throughout the service which supports all communities including those diverse and marginalized groups. • Supporting the direction and supervision of the acquisition and distribution of stock to libraries, and coordination of the implementation of Kildare County Council’s policies on collection development. • Front facing public desk-based duties as staffing levels may dictate. • Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required or assigned from time to time.

The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputising for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to him/her in relation to the area of any other local authority

Qualifications Character: Each candidate must be of good character.

Health: Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Education, Training and Experience etc.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: a) Hold a degree (level eight on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies or a postgraduate qualification in librarianship, b) Have satisfactory experience of library work at a senior level including satisfactory experience in a management role.

Candidates must also: • Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned; • Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned; Please supply copies of any certificates, diplomas or degrees you may have with the application form.

Competencies for the post of Executive Librarian Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates:

Management and Change • Effectively and efficiently manages resources in compliance with all governance protocols. • Demonstrates creativity and innovation to secure successful outcomes • Effectively manages the introduction of change; • Fosters a culture of innovation and creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change. • Has a clear understanding of the political reality and context of the local authority.

Delivering Results

• Contributes to operational plans and develops team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operation, having regard to corporate goals, operational objectives and available resources. • Ensures best value and efficiency – manages the allocation, use and evaluation of resources to ensure they are used effectively to deliver operational plans. • Drives and promotes reduction in cost and minimisation of waste. • Ability to develop community engagement and ability to communicate effectively in all media and to diverse audiences. • Promotes the achievement of quality outcomes in delivering services with a focus on continuous improvement benchmarks against best practice and monitors performance.

Performance through People • Leads and motivates staff and provides clear direction to others inspiring high standards of performance. • Identifies, manages and deals with escalated issues of unacceptable or poor performance and conflict to reach beneficial solutions and positive outcomes in line with HR and procedure policies. • Leads by example in terms of commitment, flexibility and a strong customer service ethos. Nurtures and contributes to a culture of continuing professional development within the library service – promotes the importance of continuing staff development and staff opportunities.

Personal Effectiveness Relevant Knowledge • Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their area of responsibility. Demonstrates the required specialist knowledge, understanding and training for the role.

Resilience and Personal Well Being • Demonstrates appropriate and positive selfconfidence. • Remains calm under pressure and values the wellbeing of self and others by managing stress levels and work-life balance.

Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement • Is enthusiastic about the role and sets challenging goals to achieve high quality outcomes. • Manages time and workload effectively and can operate in an environment with significant complexity and pace. • Maintains a positive, constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills • Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government including service requirements • Knowledge of current local government issues. • Understanding of the role of an Executive Librarian • Understanding key challenges facing the local government sector and Kildare County Council. • Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

Particulars of Employment The Post The post is wholetime (i.e., 35 hours per week) and appointment will be permanent.

Location There are seven full-time Branch Libraries in County Kildare: Athy, Celbridge, Kildare, Leixlip, Maynooth, Naas and Newbridge. Library Headquarters is based in Newbridge. Kildare County Council reserves the right to assign you to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement Kildare County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Kildare County Council shall not appoint them.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they: • Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed; • Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Working Hours The current working hours are 35 hours per week, The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The person appointed may be required to work outside of normal hours on occasion. Kildare County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time in line with Government Circulars. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Kildare County Council requires employees to record their hours using a Clocking system. Remuneration €55,641 per annum to €63,706 per annum (maximum) €65,706 per annum (LSI 1) (after 3 years satisfactory service at maximum) €67,977 per annum (LSI 2) (after 6 years satisfactory service at maximum) On appointment successful candidates will be placed on the first point of the salary scale. Appointment to a higher point of the salary scale may apply to candidates employed elsewhere in the public service, subject to verification of service history. Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employees nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g., P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.