Community Engagement Manager Mid-Continent Public Library

Position Type: Full Time FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt Salary: $68,455 – $76,156, Annually The Community Engagement Manager leads the Community Engagement team and provides strategic leadership for the library’s community engagement efforts. The manager develops the systems, training, partnerships, and initiatives that empower branch teams to serve as the library’s primary ambassadors and trusted presence within their communities. While branches build and maintain local relationships, the Community Engagement Manager cultivates system-wide partnerships, identifies opportunities, and leads collaborative initiatives that strengthen the library’s impact. The manager works with branches and partners to understand community needs and ensure those insights inform responsive services, programs, and partnerships. The Community Engagement team advances the library’s mission through three core functions: Promotion, increasing awareness of library services and resources; Direct Community Services, delivering library services beyond library locations to those facing barriers to access; and Strategic Community Partnerships, building relationships that deepen understanding of community needs and support innovative initiatives Essential Functions: Design and deliver robust training programs and procedures that empower branch staff to be the active face of their community and confidently foster local connections. Coordinate a diverse array of targeted engagement programs and events, catering to all age groups and curated to neighborhood interests. Collaborate closely with local branches, HQ Departments, and Mission Enhancement departments to align engagement activities and ensure all aspects of the library are seamlessly represented. Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with community organizations, schools, senior centers, and social service agencies to co-create impactful, collaborative initiatives. Build relationships in order to evaluate community needs, identify underserved populations, assess emerging trends, and discover partnership opportunities for innovative services. Recruit, train, supervise, lead, and evaluate a high-performing department staff, providing operational oversight for day-to-day engagement services. Efficiently administer and manage the department budget. Establish and maintain effective communication channels to champion library services, promote resources, and deepen relationships throughout the community. Non-Essential Functions Represents MCPL and presents content at local, state, and national committees and conferences. Education and Experience: Master’s degree in a relevant field required; Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program preferred. 3 years of library outreach, community engagement, or related work required. 3 years of management experience required. All successful leaders at MCPL should demonstrate: Advanced verbal, written, and discreet communication skills with management, coworkers, and the public in a clear, timely, and proactive manner. Ability to collaborate with Library leadership to effectively develop, adhere to, and work within the constructs of the library’s budget. Advanced ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with multiple stakeholders. Reliable, punctual, and flexible with scheduling. A demonstrated understanding of the MCPL value of intellectual freedom in order to uphold those values while performing their job duties. Advanced knowledge of a public library’s mission and purpose, ability to provide clear expectations and direction, to manage competing priorities, to evaluate quality of work, and provide feedback and accountability. Advanced knowledge of department processes and procedures, expert knowledge of Library Professional Ethics, advanced knowledge of the impact of decision-making on MCPL, and demonstrated mature judgment to make department-level/system level decisions. Advanced proficiency in customer service skills through polite, professional, and collaborative interactions with internal and external customers. An advanced understanding of the role of MCPL leaders at all levels in creating a welcoming and respectful workplace and library for all. Additionally, this position requires: Job Knowledge Expert knowledge of library services, intellectual freedom, materials, and resources. Leading a team, delegation, and change management. Understanding of the needs of under-resourced customers, interpretation of statistics, seeking feedback, and having a strategic vision for the system and community. Ability to direct content creation aligned with MCPL’s strategic plan. Ability to interpret, make decisions, and justify content decisions based on Freedom to Read/Library Bill of Rights. Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Suite. Proficiency in the various functions of Microsoft Teams. Financial/Mathematical: Advanced knowledge of budgeting practices and processes to create and maintain an annual budget. Age Requirement Must be at least 18 years of age. MVR Requirement Possession of a valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle for use in carrying out the duties of this position, including transportation of materials and equipment (mileage reimbursed) Possesses the ability to drive an MCPL vehicle according to company policy. Work Environment This position works indoors and outdoors. Office time is primarily indoors, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer, and requires a reasonable tolerance for dust, mold, scents, allergens, and communicable diseases, which enables the employee to handle library materials, work in older buildings, and interact with coworkers and the public. Outdoor time at events can be standing in the heat or inclement weather for the entirety of the shift. Essential physical abilities to be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation are: Daily (greater than 50% of the time) Receiving communication and instructions (vision, reading, hearing) Conveying communication and instructions (speaking, writing) Using computer data entry tools – keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, scanner Frequently (up to 50% of the time) Sitting Walking (even ground) Occasionally (approximately 1-2 times a month) Standing up 1 for entire shift Lifting 40 pounds Rarely (1-5 times per year) Pushing/Pulling 1-10 pounds Standing more than 1 hour at a time NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any applicant requiring accommodation should contact the Mid-Continent Public Library Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants will be considered for employment opportunities on the merits of their skills and experience related to the position sought. Employment offers are conditional upon submitting a criminal records check, identity verification, and national sex offender registry check. Applicants will not be denied employment solely or in part because of a prior conviction, unless MCPL determines the conviction is job-related. If a background check yields information that is of concern to MCPL, the applicant will be given an opportunity to review the background check findings and present information regarding inaccuracy, mitigating circumstances, and rehabilitation. #J-18808-Ljbffr Malalibraries