Library Technology Officer

Description

The Seattle Public Library is Seattle's center of information and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued services in the city. Library staff members are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service, and caring. Staff members are committed to the Library's organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity, transparency, and recognition. In particular, they demonstrate respect, engage in partnerships, and are transparent in their communications and intentions. A strategic priority of the Library is to foster an internal culture of innovation which focuses on creativity, engagement, learning, and staff development. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for this position.

The Library Technology Officer (LTO) reports to the Director of Library Programs and Services (LPSD) and plays a lead role in developing and maintaining a leading-edge technology infrastructure to ensure the success of the Library's vision and strategies. In consultation with the Director of LPSD, the LTO leads and participates in short-term and long-range strategic planning that addresses current and emerging service needs and develops and implements effective technological responses to those needs. The LTO directs, supervises and evaluates the activities and performance of Information Technology Division staff, vendors and project or consultant staff assigned to information technology projects or activities.


Job Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

• Assist the Director of LPSD in short-term and long-range strategic planning for technology, including capital projects, service innovation and implementing and managing changes in the Library's technology environment.
• Assess, develop and maintain a sustainable technological infrastructure which ensures successful customer service levels throughout the organization.
• Evaluate and identify the Library's current and emerging technology needs and work closely with the Library Leadership Team, designated committees and staff to respond to these needs.
• Understand and embrace public service goals and strategies and be able to determine and articulate how technology can be effectively utilized to achieve those goals and strategies.
• Serve as a technology consultant and liaison with management of functional departments on all technology matters to answer questions, evaluate needs, monitor service and interdepartmental impacts; advise on problems, support technology education and understanding and ensure smooth conversion from existing automated systems to new and improved systems.
• Maintain knowledge of leading edge technological advances in library systems and general business operations to assure that new developments are incorporated in future systems for the Library.
• Develop a culture of innovation and a plan and budget to support research and development around Library services and integration of various Library business platforms in a cross divisional effort throughout the organization.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective and timely delivery of technology services by planning, organizing, administering and evaluating operations, staff, budgets, vendor and consultant contracts and other resources; coordinate the design and implementation of network, telecommunications, desktop and library systems.
• Direct, supervise and evaluate the work of Information Technology Division staff; promote and ensure that staff perform work effectively in a collaborative team environment; manage staff performance to achieve the Library's technology vision, goals and strategic directions.
• Develop annual budget proposals to support information technology needs of the Library. Represent the Library to and work collaboratively with the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology.
• Administer and control the information systems expense budget to contribute to a cost-effective operation, demonstrating sound financial management skills.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be innovative, flexible, responsive, collaborative; and self-directed; an honest, open communicator who inspires trust; and one who seeks and sparks creative contributions from others.

Additionally, qualified candidates will possess:

• A relevant Bachelor's degree and a graduate degree in computer science, business, public administration or a related field, or equivalent experience. A Master's degree in Library Science or Library Information Science is preferred.
• Five to seven years of increasingly responsible managerial experience in a medium to large sophisticated information system environment is preferred. Information Technology experience in a library setting is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of information technology, systems, technology products, and networking and delivery technologies; of principles of systems design; and of current and emerging developments in applications, electronic security, and communications, preferably in a public service and public computing environment.
• Proven related experience applying effective management practices and principles including budget development, human resource management, purchasing and expenditure control, and project management related to information technology.
• Strong management skills with the ability to inspire and guide staff to be successful in providing customer service and implementing new approaches.
• The ability to lead by example and promote enthusiastic teamwork.
• Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and experience in public speaking.