Branch Manager

Bainbridge Island

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 0926-52

Kitsap Regional Library seeks an experienced, innovative, and dynamic manager to lead the Bainbridge Island Branch Library in partnership with a full-time Public Services Supervisor overseeing daily operations. The successful candidate will possess the ability to build effective relationships within the organization as well as with patrons, the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library, community organizations and community stakeholders. An ability to proactively recognize and work within diverse teams to respond to community needs is essential.

This location is staffed and operated by Kitsap Regional Library while the building itself is owned and maintained by Bainbridge Public Library, a sixteen-member non-profit board. Bainbridge Island is a highly engaged and active community that enjoys protected green spaces, waterfront activities, a vibrant arts scene, and a top-ranked K-12 school system.

Beautiful Kitsap Peninsula is located directly across from Seattle and is easily reached by a state ferry system that offers regularly scheduled ferry runs between Seattle and either Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Bremerton, or Southworth. The Kitsap Peninsula is in close proximity to the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic National Forest and serves as a popular destination for all types of outdoor recreation activities, including hiking, camping, kayaking, scuba diving and boating. We enjoy over 200 miles of accessible shoreline.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under limited supervision, manages, supervises and directs the operation of a large branch library to provide effective, current and responsive library services to the community. The Branch Manager explains and/or ensures library processes, procedures, rules and policies, as well as regulations of regulatory agencies. Incumbents typically manage a branch library with a staff in excess of 13 FTE's, more than 45 hours of operation weekly and annual circulation of more than 200,000. Directly supervises one or more positions within the branch. Work is performed with broad latitude for exercising independent judgment and decision making.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Master of Library Science Degree from an American Library Association accredited school or actively enrolled in a Master of Library Science Degree accredited program with successful achievement of a Master of Library Science Degree within 2 years of hire. Washington State certification as a librarian or the ability to obtain based on state requirements following completion of degree. Five years of supervisory/lead experience is required.

 

BENEFITS & SALARY

Employees regularly scheduled 20 or more hours per week are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision, basic life, AD&D, long term disability insurance plans, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), as well as our employee assistance program. Additionally, all employees regularly scheduled 20 or more hours per week receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees in this position earn 26 days per year of vacation leave over the course of their first year, 13 days of sick leave, and 2 personal days each year.

Kitsap Regional Library participates in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees are automatically eligible for the plan if they work a minimum of 16.25 hours per week (or 70 hour per month) during five months per year for two consecutive years.

Offers to new employees are expected to be between $91,957.53 and $97,557.74 depending on required and relevant experience and in alignment with internal equity. The full compensation range for this position is $91,957.53-$127,290.73 per year which includes compensation for incumbents with significant tenure at our library. This allows for growth and progression within the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents, however, and do not include all specific tasks an incumbent may be expected to perform.

DUTIES:

• Demonstrates excellence in our core competencies, which are centered on our values:
  • Curiosity: Learning Agility, Critical Thinking & Judgement, Innovation & Improvement
  • Equity: Inclusive Communication, Relationship & Team Effectiveness, Accountability & Integrity
  • Service: Customer Service & Operational Excellence, Collaboration & Stewardship, and People Development.
• Develop branch objectives consistent with the Library Director's goals, division goals and the library's standards and policies. Design and implement procedures, systems and performance standards to achieve approved objectives. Solicit staff feedback in order to effectively achieve all of the above.
• Regularly review local data in order to identify trends, and work with staff to develop a plan to engage groups/stakeholders within the community.
• Demonstrate cultural humility through successful relationship building with diverse stakeholders within the community and by developing a strategy for how the branch location might effectively align within the Library's broader diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
• Develop and maintain effective lines of communication within the branch and division and with other library departments, branches and divisions. Coordinate with other departments in planning, developing and maintaining efficient workflow among departments, branches and divisions.
• Serve as a member of the Public Services Manager team. Communicate branch needs effectively, and contribute to the development of policies, projects, or protocols which apply to all branches.
• Interview, select and hire new employees for the branch. Establish hours of work as well as direct, plan, assign and determine the manner of work performed. Approve overtime and the use of employee time off. Evaluate employee performance and recommend employees for promotion or pay adjustment. Coach employees to successfully meet individual, branch, and organizational goals. Address employee grievances, recommend discipline and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• Serve as a community leader by engaging in and/or facilitating community conversations, as well as by becoming directly involved in community organizations. Provide input into the decision- making processes of governmental bodies and other groups that can affect the branch's ability to provide services.
• Establish liaison with the building owners, Friends of the Library, local community boards, organizations, and city/county governments where appropriate. This may involve public speaking before civic groups or soliciting support of volunteer leaders.
• Promote library services, programs and hours. May write articles regarding branch programs or topics for publication in newspapers, periodicals or related publications.
• Assist volunteer groups in promoting fundraising activities for the benefit of the system.
• Assist patrons or staff with current and emerging library technology, including digital media. Provide basic readers' advisory and reference services. Maintain current knowledge of system-wide materials, resources and services.
• Interpret library policies and procedures for the public, as well as resolve circulation, patron and personnel issues within established guidelines.
• Assist staff in planning and implementing programming activities as required.
• Facilitate programming and assist Librarians assigned to the branch with programming activities as required.
• Manage the library's facility and equipment and work with the IT and Facilities departments to ensure that the library facility and equipment are in good working order.
• May partner with the library's Foundation department in planning and fundraising, including writing or assisting in writing applications for grant or other special funding in support of new or enhanced library facilities or services.
• Address patron questions and/or complaints regarding library services, facilities and resources or the use of resources. Identify, address and report safety and security issues and/or refer to appropriate authorities as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive effective working relationships with staff, patrons, Friends of the Library, local boards and other community groups and leaders.
• Ability to tactfully address patron concerns.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and issues simultaneously and to appropriately react to changing demands, priorities and situations.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment in a wide variety of situations.
• Knowledge of budget management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a diverse patron base and staff and to write and edit a variety of written materials including those for outside publication.
• Ability to effectively speak publicly and make presentations before special interest groups, funding sources, the news media and others and to clearly explain policies and procedures to staff.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, perform required data entry proficiently and utilize computer software and specialized programs.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends. Ability to respond to emergencies or crisis situations, as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment with frequent public and staff interaction. This position primarily involves light to medium physical demands, sitting and operating objects, tools or controls including keyboards and telephones; for extended periods, internal and external customer contact, conversations, phones, noise from office machinery and other equipment, etc. Must be able to work while others are working in a shared team area. Occasionally, the incumbent must move or maneuver objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds, including stooping, reaching, lifting, bending or transferring books and other materials to carts, tables, or shelves of varying heights. Incumbents may be required to move carts of books and other materials around the building for extended periods of time. Frequently push, pull, lift or exert up to 20 pounds of force, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; bending at the waist, kneeling, and reaching, using arms and hands.

Visual acuity essential for tasks include reading and composing emails, reports, and materials including electronic information and complex materials from either written or computer sources; identifying and organizing library materials such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs based on small-print numbers and alphabetical characters; scanning and inspecting library materials, including opening media cases; and operating computers for extended periods. Work performed and delivered are guided by precise deadlines. High cognitive demands include strong attention to detail, ability to focus for long periods of time, critical thinking, problem solving and information synthesis.

Excellent communication skills, customer service abilities, and multitasking are also essential for success in this role.

LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS

Listed below are expectations of all library employees:

• Excellent customer service for patrons and co-workers.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's principles of intellectual freedom.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and library services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week. The schedule may include weekends and evenings as needed. Please note that schedules are subject to change to meet the needs of the library.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this position and future positions, please visit our website at KRL.org and select "Careers" located at the bottom of the page. This position is open to all and will remain open until filled. First round of review will occur October 22nd, 2026.

Kitsap Regional Library is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please email us at

jobs@krl.org

and we'll work with you to meet your accessibility needs.