Operations Administrator-Norfolk Public Library

Operations Administrator-Norfolk Public Library

Salary

$83,950.62 - $96,335.26 Annually

Location

1155 Pineridge Road, Norfolk, VA 23502, VA

Job Type

Unclassified

Job Number

14038

Department

Library

Opening Date

06/05/2026

Closing Date

6/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Norfolks Department of Libraries is currently seeking a Library Operations Administrator. The Library Operations Administrator is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing personnel, operations, and public service delivery across a multi-branch public library system. This position ensures high-quality services, effective staff leadership, strong community partnerships, and alignment with the library's mission, vision, and Strategic Directions. The Administrator provides system-wide operational oversight, supports innovation, and serves as a key advisor to senior leadership.

The Norfolk Public Library became the first free public library in Virginia in 1904, and its collection includes classic and popular items from the late 19th century to today. The Norfolk Public Library provides equal opportunity access to information, high quality book and multimedia materials, programs, exhibits and on-line resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for life-long learning, cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation. To fulfill its mission, the library employs knowledgeable, well-trained staff committed to excellent service and civility.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Administration

• Oversee daily operations of all library branches, including employee relations and administrative functions.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate branch managers and staff.
• Mentor and empower leadership teams; ensure staff are trained, supported, and provided growth opportunities.
• Develop, implement, and assess short- and long-range strategic and operational plans.
• Establish division-wide goals, policies, and procedures; monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as an advisor to the NPL Central Team and act on behalf of senior leadership when needed.
• Assist the Director with branches development and operational planning.
• Compile statistics and prepare required reports for Library Administration.
• Participate in strategic planning committees and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the library at meetings, presentations, and community events.
• Assist with updating and maintaining the Operations & Procedures Manual.

Library Operations & Public Service Delivery

• Provide leadership and coordination of operations across all branches.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality public service, programming, and equitable access to collections.
• Establish and monitor performance standards using data-driven approaches.
• Oversee facilities operations, including maintenance, safety, and coordination on capital projects with Business & Fiscal Management.
• Direct public service staffing for anchor and neighborhood branches.

Programs, Collections & Innovation

• Collaborate with the Programming Division to develop and deliver diverse programs and community events.
• Support system-wide initiatives such as Family Place, YOUmedia, and adult programming.
• Work with the Support Services Administrator on collection development, materials management, and digital resources.
• Promote and coordinate innovative technologies and services to enhance user experience.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Collaborate with leadership and Business & Fiscal Management on branch budget development.
• Monitor branch expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Identify funding opportunities and support grant development, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the library at public forums, city meetings, and professional organizations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.
• Engage with neighborhood civic leagues to develop services responsive to community needs.
• Represent the library at outreach events including parades, festivals, and community gatherings.
• Communicate library initiatives effectively to stakeholders, media, and the public.

Policy, Compliance & Evaluation

• Develop, interpret, and update policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Liaise with oversight agencies and professional organizations.
• Monitor and evaluate system-wide performance using data-driven methods.
• Maintain current knowledge of library best practices and emerging trends.

Personnel Management

• Supervise librarians, professional staff, and support staff, including scheduling, training, and performance evaluation.
• Direct and support personnel administration activities, including interviewing, hiring, evaluations, disciplinary actions, and approval of time-off requests.
• Provide system-wide and regional professional development workshops focused on public library services.
• Plan and oversee staff structure, training, and development initiatives.
• Hold delegated authority for hiring, training, assigning, evaluating, and disciplining lower-level supervisors and managers.
• Participate in professional development activities to enhance service delivery.

Education/Experience

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business administration, Public Administration, Library Science (MLS/MLIS), or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Four or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in library management, preferably in a large, urban public library system.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management abilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-site operations and large teams.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and a positive attitude.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• Four years of management experience with demonstrated strength in employee relations.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholder groups.

Additional Information

• Requires flexibility to attend meetings, programs, and community events, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Work is performed in office and public service environments across multiple library locations.

Additional Information & Requirements

Required: A master's degree in library science (MLS/MLIS), Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

03

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employees full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

04

Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

05

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

06

Do you hold a master's degree in library science (MLS/MLIS), Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution?

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of progressively responsible management or leadership experience do you have in library management, business administration, public administration, or a related operational management field?

• Less than 4 years
• 4-6 years
• More than 6 years

08

Have you supervised staff or managed operations in a multi branch library system or a comparably complex organizational environment?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience developing or managing budgets for a library, public administration office, business operation, or other multi-site organizational structure?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have experience creating, implementing, or overseeing systemwide policies, procedures, or operational standards in a library or other business/public administration environment?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and other administrative or data tracking software?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have experience working with integrated library systems (ILS), electronic resource platforms, or other technology systems used in libraries, business, or public administration operations?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have experience managing personnel, including supervising staff, conducting evaluations, or overseeing day-to-day workforce operations?

• Yes
• No

14

Do you have knowledge of human resources practices such as hiring, performance management, employee development, or workplace compliance?

• Yes
• No

15

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question

Employer City of Norfolk