General Position Summary Job Number: 2026-00298
King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a resilient and adaptable Operations Manager (OM) for the Fairwood Library.
About the Opportunity:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional customer service skills, uphold the principles of Intellectual Freedom, effectively serve diverse populations, and confidently engage with the public - even in challenging situations. The Operations Manager will focus on providing service at the Fairwood Library but will also provide direct support to the KCLS Cedar Region staff and act as a member of the library management team serving all the libraries in the Cedar region (Fairwood, Kent, Kent Panther Lake, Maple Valley, and Southcenter).
The ideal candidate will be able to:
- Respond calmly in tense or emotionally charged interactions and set clear, respectful expectations with members of the public
- Supervise represented-staff, including day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance evaluations
- Build and maintain complex staff schedules, including daily coverage, substitute assignments, and Collective Bargaining Agreement requirements
- Document incidents accurately and exercises sound judgment about what to record and when to escalate
- Support the delivery of library services consistent with KCLS's mission, vision, and values
The successful candidate will be able to assess and analyze situations and problems, logically find solutions, and successfully integrate and manage multiple systems and priorities to produce efficient library operations.
About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs. Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.
From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language. The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc. KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire. Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email employment@kcls.org. KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.Examples of Duties Essential Duties
The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
- Serves as building manager and manages staffing and workflow, with primary responsibility for safe and efficient daily operations, including scheduling to meet operational and public service needs. Resolves operational issues and refers to appropriate resource when necessary.
- Promotes a collaborative, inclusive, equitable and positive library environment. Resolves staff and patron incidents, problems, concerns, and conflicts under Code of Conduct, Bans or Trespass procedures.
- Serves as primary contact and onsite resource for volunteers, vendors, Friends of the Library, community groups, security, and emergency services.
- Collaborates with Public Service Coordinators and department heads in developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures for circulation and operations.
- Models, promotes, and supports Intellectual Freedom (IF) principles with staff and patrons. Conducts inclusive conversations on IF principles and resolves related concerns or redirects to appropriate source.
- Implements initiatives and assists with regional communications as a member of regional management team. Engages staff in safety drills and oversees Safety Designate and site safety measures.
- Coordinates with ITS and Facilities staff and contractors regarding equipment and facility related needs. Submits related help desk tickets and tracks progress of requests and outcomes.
- Oversees and manages ordering of office and equipment materials and supplies.
- Applies all KCLS Human Resources policies and procedures, including workplace standards, leave, pay, and accommodation administration.
- Works with KCLS Human Resources to fill open positions.
- Communicates with discretion regarding staff and patron issues.
- Schedules and monitors required staff training for direct reports. Provides training for non-direct reports where applicable.
- Manages and approves payroll time entries and leave requests, backing up other team members as needed.
- Selects, coaches, trains, develops and manages performance for direct reports.
- Coaches, reviews and disciplines employees, floaters, and substitutes directly when necessary, and provides feedback to supervisors.
- Tracks and monitors assigned budgets.
- Produces reports for assigned facility and functions.
- Performs collection maintenance using system guidelines, lists, requests.
Secondary Duties
- Participates in committees, required training, staff meetings, etc.
- Performs direct reports’ work, as needed.
- Engages with the community and special population groups, as assigned.
- Provides informational and readers’ advisory assistance to patrons, as needed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
Organizational Competencies:
Customer Focus Primarily focused on customer needs, able to deliver high quality, value added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.
Valuing Diversity Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably; respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn from differences.
Ethics, Values, and Judgement Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct; consistently demonstrates organizational values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character and action. Defends intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality.
Professional and Technical Knowledge Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills/and or knowledge in position-related areas; purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to foster personal success and connections for others.
Leadership Competencies:
Coaching and Counseling Facilitates the development of other’s knowledge, abilities, and skills to fulfill job and role responsibilities more effectively. Provides timely feedback, guidance, and encouragement to help others achieve better performance and goals; builds confidence of others.
Managerial Courage Tactfully provides direct and actionable feedback in a timely manner, is open and direct but not intimidating; deals head-on with people and problems even in the most difficult situations.
Position Competencies:
Communicates Effectively Conveys ideas/information in a way that is clear, engaging, and suitable to the audience. Main point of their message is apparent. Listens more than they speak, responds appropriately. Seeks influence.
Decision Quality Makes decisions and solves problems, can deal adeptly with varied levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk; takes responsibility and accepts ownership for decisions regardless of outcome. Responds promptly and appropriately in crises situations.
Building Effective Teams Blends people into cohesive teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals; creates and supports strong morale and a healthy work environment.
Accountability Holds self, direct reports, and others accountable for achieving intended outcomes; follows up and monitors progress to ensure that things stay on track; models organizational values and norms.
Desired Minimum Qualification Education and Experience The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college
- Four years’ experience in customer service, including decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
- Supervisory and operations management experience or training preferred.
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
Knowledge and Skills
- Working knowledge of management practices and principles of supervision including human resources policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of operations, circulation, and public service functions throughout a public library, preferred.
- Working knowledge of budgeting processes.
- Working knowledge and support of the principles of IF.
- Flexible and adapts to changing needs.
- Knowledge of scheduling for multiple staff and service points.
- Clearly, succinctly, and effectively communicates ideas verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated communications and listening skills with diverse populations and staff.
- Conflict resolution skills
- Comfortable with difficult conversations
- Knowledge of resources and current library and office technologies relevant to the job duties.
- Assessing and analyzing situations/problems and logically finding solutions.
- Integrating and managing multiple systems to produce efficient operations.
Professional Licenses and Certifications Items in this section are applicable to the job and can be required or preferred. Indicate which are preferred.
- A valid Washington driver’s license and insurability as a driver for KCLS is required.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee:
- Is changing tasks depending upon the shift.
- Constantly sits and seldom/occasionally will stand and walk.
- Will occasionally reach up or down and frequently reach out.
- Neck rotation may be up to occasional.
- Constantly using hands in conjunction with frequent finger use for keyboarding. This typing may be repetitive up to frequently.
- Up to occasionally operating foot controls.
- Will seldom lift up to 20 lbs.
- Will seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force.
- Extensive close work including use of a PC monitor.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a typical library environment. Incumbent must be available for varied work hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Some travel to meetings required.
Benefits
General Benefits Summary
Paid Time off It is the policy of KCLS to grant to all part-time and full-time employees:
- Annual Leave (Vacation).
- Sick Leave
- Holidays - KCLS celebrates twelve (12) holidays each year and one (1) floating holiday. Part-time employees are eligible for holiday pay if they are scheduled to work on the day the holiday falls on.
Medical/Dental Insurance Benefits Our health insurance plans with Kaiser/Premera/Delta Dental are offered at low premium rates to all employees working 20 or more hours per week. Employees may also purchase benefits for dependents and domestic partners.
Retirement - Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Employees working 20 hours per week or more are automatically enrolled in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) program. Both KCLS and the employee contribute toward PERS retirement benefits.
Flexible and Dependent Care Spending Accounts and Health Saving Account Employees working 20 hours per week or more can set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to pay for family medical and dependent care needs. KCLS provides an annual employer contribution to Health Saving Account when the employee is enrolled in a high deductible health plan.
Life and Accidental Death & Disability, Long Term Disability Insurance All the employees working 20 hours per week or more qualify for the group term life and AD& D insurance benefits equal to one times their annual salary. Employees working 40 hours per week receive long-term disability insurance.
Optional/Voluntary Benefits Employees working 20 hours per week or more are eligible to participate in the following voluntary benefits:
- Supplemental Term Life and AD&D Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Allstate Identity Theft Protection
- Student Loan Refinance
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (available to all KCLS Employees)
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan - You can supplement any other retirement benefits you may have by setting aside pre-tax dollars in this retirement savings account.
Other Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - This employer-sponsored program is a confidential service that can provide referrals to counseling, financial, legal, child care/elder care services.
- Ride-Wise - KCLS encourages you to "leave the car at home" and seek other ways to commute to work. All employees are eligible for reimbursement of 50% of your tax-free ORCA transit pass and van pool. The Guaranteed Ride Home program is also available for staff.
- Tuition Assistance - KCLS encourages employees to pursue college, associate and graduate degrees and certificate programs where such education and knowledge bring value to KCLS. Tuition assistance, as funding permits, is available to all employees.