Deputy Director, Collections

JOB SUMMARY

This position is located at the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL), within the Collections Department. The Collections Department is responsible for the development, acquisition, maintenance, and evaluation of library materials in all formats to ensure that DCPL’s collections are current, diverse, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the District’s communities. The department supports equitable access to information and resources by curating collections that reflect the cultural richness and varied interests of DC residents. The Deputy Director of Collections provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the full lifecycle of the library’s collections, including selection, acquisitions, vendor relations, and data analysis. The incumbent reports to the Director of Collections and serves as a key advisor on collection strategy, ensuring that materials are responsive to community needs, fiscally responsible, and aligned with system-wide equity goals.

The Deputy Director oversees the full lifecycle of library collections, including selection, acquisitions, and processing across all formats and languages. This includes managing vendor contracts, data tools, and staff responsible for purchasing and processing materials. The incumbent also supervises managers within the Collections Department, providing guidance, monitoring workflow and scheduling, approving leave, and conducting performance evaluations. The role supports system-wide collection development and ensures alignment with DCPL’s equity and access goals.

The work directly impacts the quality, relevance, and accessibility of materials available to the public. It supports the library’s mission to provide inclusive, community-responsive collections and contributes to the overall success of public service delivery across all branches.

The incumbent collaborates closely with branch managers, IT, Digital Services, and administrative leadership to ensure cohesive and strategic collection development.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the work of grades 7-12, exercising full supervisory authority over Selectors, Acquisitions, and Processing/Receiving staff that includes hiring, training, performance evaluation, workflow management, and professional development.
• Leads cross-functional teams and project-based workgroups.
• Manages vendor relationships, contracts, and performance, including oversight of standing orders and approval plans.
• Directs the use of data tools (e.g., Polaris Reports) to inform selection, weeding, and purchasing decisions.
• Coordinates with branch staff to ensure collections reflect local community needs and support system-wide equity goals.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for acquisitions, and receiving, and collection maintenance.
• Leads training and onboarding for staff in acquisitions and collection workflows.
• Collaborates with IT and Digital Services on integration of new technologies and platforms.
• Supports budget planning and reporting for the Collections Department.
• Represents the department in cross-functional teams and system-wide initiatives.
• Serves as a lead or key team member from the Collections Department on all projects related to the acquisition and/or storage of materials for any opening or closure of a library location.
• Manages the system-wide weeding policy, including the development and maintenance of guidelines, a monitoring system, and a mechanism to encourage close collaboration with public service departments and locations. Ensures adherence to the weeding policy across all locations.
• Collaborate with Collection staff to provide training (Ingram, Weeding, etc.) to Public Services staff throughout the fiscal year.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in Information Library Science (MLIS) from an accredited college and/or university
• Experience supervising 10 or more staff members in a library setting.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in navigating shifting priorities, budget constraints, and vendor disruptions while maintaining service continuity and staff support that requires balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational oversight in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Demonstrated experience in long-range planning and budget management.
• Proficient knowledge of the ILS, spreadsheets, web, and other computer applications.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, service-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of current and emerging technologies and the collection issues facing public libraries.
• Technical expertise skills in collection development, including familiarity with collection development tools, vendor platforms, and collection analysis software.
• Proficient project management and planning skills.
• Strong knowledge of the industry’s electronic resources and the ability to evaluate electronic resources.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques to assign, balance, and track work assignments, and evaluate performance, including assigning professional development and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to manage, supervise, train, and coordinate the functional areas of responsibility of employees.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint , and Access sufficient to analyze data and create reports, presentations, tables, spreadsheets, and maintain databases.
• Perform relevant work at the next lower grade level of MSS 13 for a minimum of a year. Incumbents currently serving under 1 year of creditable service are not eligible for this position - Applicable to current district government employees

Preferred Skills

• Team supervision, strategic planning, and staff development.
• Acquisitions, selection, collection maintenance, and vendor relations.
• Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with library systems (ILS, ERM), vendor platforms, and data tools.
• Data-Driven decision making. Using analytics to guide collection development and spending.
• Staff training on workflows and fostering cross-departmental partnerships.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

None

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

The work is, generally, sedentary in nature; however, there may be local travel (within the District) to meetings, events, and activities, as well as walking, standing, and bending.

DISTRICT REFERENCE CHECK

All applicants who are current or former District of Columbia Government employees will be subject to a background examination prior to the issuance of a conditional offer of employment. This review will include coordination with District agencies where the applicant is currently or was previously employed. The purpose of this examination is to verify the applicant’s employment standing and determine eligibility for rehire, reassignment, or promotion within the District government. Applicants found not to be in good standing may be deemed ineligible for further consideration.

By applying to this vacancy announcement, you hereby authorize the District of Columbia Public Library to conduct a background examination and reference check, including coordination with any District agencies where you are currently or was previously employed, to verify your employment standing and assess your eligibility for continued employment consideration.

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.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Type 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.

Tour of Duty/Schedule: This position primarily works rotating shifts, including working evenings, weekends, and coverage during busy periods to support operational needs.

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

Promotion Potential – None

Appointed Salary - The selected incumbent will be appointed at the appropriate salary rate of a MSS 14 based on the DPM's guidelines.

Budgeted Salary - This position is budgeted for a minimum salary of $114,441 to a maximum salary of $137,329.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We appreciate every applicant’s interest. However, only those who meet the qualifications and are considered by the hiring committee or interview panel will be contacted for the next steps in the recruitment process.

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.

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.

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, or 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.