Director of Public Library Services

Career Opportunity

Exempt: Director of Public Services

Permanent Full-Time

Okanagan Regional Library

Competition #22-172

The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) is seeking a key senior leader to help shape the continuing transformation of public library services and the development of the library’s role as a learning organization, in alignment with the directions outlined in our current strategic plan (http://www.orl.bc.ca/about-us/policies-and-reports).

Based in Kelowna British Columbia which is often rated as one of the most desirable cities in Canada, the ORL serves a large geographical area stretching from Golden in the Rocky Mountains through the wine and fruit producing lands of the Okanagan Valley to the semi-desert Osoyoos at the US border.  It is one of the largest library systems in Canada, with 29 branches, over 250 employees, and serving a population of over 400,000 people.

Two excluded Directors of Public Service (DPS) share the responsibility of directing the public facing programs and services of the library. Both DPS report directly to the CEO and are a key part of the senior management team. Each DPS takes on a portfolio of focus (currently these are ‘partnerships and programs’ and ‘the customer experience’) in addition to directly supervising each branch managers of either the Southern or Northern ORL branches.  The current vacancy will be assigned the Northern branches and the ‘partnerships and programs’ portfolio to start, though assignments can change over time and through collaborative strategy developed at the senior management table.

We are seeking a candidate who has a true vision for ensuring that library service creates a positive impact on both our communities and our users and is proven effective in sharing and realizing such a vision.  The successful candidate will thrive in a team environment and be skilled in creating meaningful collaborations with outside groups. The DPS is highly skilled in staff development using a combination of engagement, coaching, directing and evaluation techniques to ensure staff are empowered and effectively deployed.

A person of integrity and self-direction, the DPS will be open, respectful, focused and possesses strong communication, problem-solving, decision-making and organizational skills.

The successful candidate will have a Master’s Degree in Library Science (or equivalent) from an ALA accredited library science program, supplemented with a minimum of seven years’ experience in a public library, including three years in senior administrative and management.

If you are interested in exploring this career opportunity, please visit our website at http://www.orl.bc.ca/about-us/careers/current-vacancies for the job description and position requirements. 

Expressions of interest, including an up-to-date resume and covering letter, should be forwarded to jobs@orl.bc.ca indicating the individual’s date of availability to undertake the position as Director of Public Services.

This excluded senior management position is permanent full-time and offers a competitive salary in line with experience.  For more information including the complete job description, please refer to our website at http://www.orl.bc.ca/careers/current-vacancies.  If you meet all of the requirements, then we would like to hear from you.  Please forward a covering letter, a resume and references via e-mail with the title Competition #22-172 Director of Public Services to:

Human Resources
Okanagan Regional Library
1430 K.L.O. Road
Kelowna, BC   V1W 3P6
E-mail: jobs@orl.bc.ca