Network Bulletin No: 07-49
Date: November 9, 2007
Subject: Staff, network
Index term: Vacancy Washington
NLS has been asked to publicize a program manager position at the Washington Talking Book
and Braille Library in Seattle, Washington. The vacancy announcement is attached.
Attachment
For more information contact:
Carolyn Hoover Sung
Chief, Network Division
[log in to unmask]
___________________________________________________________________________
Washington State Library
WASHINGTON TALKING BOOK & BRAILLE LIBRARY
PROGRAM MANAGER
Direct Employment Opportunity
Recruitment Number: 07 WMS3 0681 WTBBL
Classification: Washington Management Service Band 3 (WMS3)
Status: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: $70,000 - $73,500 annually depending on experience & qualifications (Band 3)
Posting Date: November 5, 2007
Closing Date: January 15, 2008
This recruitment will be used to fill this position only. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. The
hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. It
will be to the applicant's advantage to submit materials as soon as possible.
AGENCY PROFILE
Headed by an elected state official, the Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for administering
elections within the state, registering corporations and charities that do business within the state,
collecting and preserving the records of governmental bodies within the state, and maintaining the
Washington State Library. The agency also administers the Address Confidentiality Program, the
Productivity Board, and the Oral History Program. Visit our website at www.secstate.wa.gov.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Washington State Library, a division of the Washington Office of the Secretary of State, is seeking
a dynamic and innovative leader as Program Manager of the Washington Talking Book and Braille
Library (WTBBL). This position is a member of the Library's management team and is expected to
attend weekly management team meetings in Olympia.
Located in Seattle, the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library provides services to the blind,
visually impaired, physically or learning disabled, and others who cannot read regular print throughout
the State of Washington. The administration of the library will transition to the Washington State
Library on July 1, 2008, but the program manager will join the staff of the State Library and WTBBL in
early 2008. As regional NLS libraries transition to digital and downloadable materials, as well as
maintain traditional formats, there is an opportunity to provide leadership in recasting the services to
make them available and desirable to all generations of eligible users.
The qualities we are looking for include a passion for excellence in library services, especially to
populations who are unable to take advantage of the offerings of a typical public library, as well as a
demonstrated talent for advocacy, leadership, and building interpersonal relationships. The successful
candidate should be able to work with a dedicated and passionate staff in an exemplary regional library
serving the blind, visually impaired, physically or learning disabled and those who cannot read regular
print. A vision for the future, as well as a commitment to work with consumer groups, with leaders of
other organizations supporting special needs, and with staff of public libraries throughout the state, are
essential.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Masters degree in library and information science or equivalent from an American Library
Association-accredited program
Certification by the State Librarian authorized through the Office of the Secretary of State
Demonstrated ability to be an advocate for library services
Demonstrated skill in developing interpersonal relationships
Demonstrated ability to be a visionary leader
Willingness and ability to travel
Willingness and ability to work in a politically sensitive environment
Position requires professional level knowledge and full utilization of the principles and applications of
management, including budget management at the Program and Division levels, and long-range or
strategic planning at the Program and Division levels; working knowledge of personnel rules and
regulations, and affirmative action and diversity regulations. The Program Manager position requires
effective oral and written communication skills, ability to multi-task, ability to analyze complex data and
make recommendations, ability to supervise, ability to manage budgets, ability to carry out personnel
tasks including hiring and disciplinary actions, and ability to lead and mentor staff. The Program
Manager represents the Program, the Division, and the Agency to the public at events and conferences
or meetings of government or library organizations. Evening and weekend meetings with stakeholders
and others are required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Five years of upper level management experience including working with library administration ,
members of the community, government officials, or other stakeholders
Knowledgeable about the state government and the legislative process
Ability to handle highly stressful or adverse situations while working calmly and accurately, and
maintaining a professional demeanor at all times
COMPENSATION
$5833 - $6125 per month, depending on qualifications. Washington State offers a full benefits package
that includes health, life, and long term disability insurance; paid vacation, sick, and military leave;
optional credit unions, savings bonds, and deferred compensation plans; eleven paid holidays; and a
public employees' retirement plan.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for this position, please submit:
1. A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position summary
and required and desirable qualifications
2. A completed Washington State Job Application http://www.dop.wa.gov/Resources/Forms/
3. A current resume with three professional references including contact information and a statement
from you granting permission to contact
4. Completed Supplemental Questionnaire (found at the end of this job announcement)
5. Submit electronically to: [log in to unmask], indicating 07 WMS3 0681 WTBBL on the
subject line; Electronic submission (e-mail) is preferred & original signatures are not required;
Alternatively, you may submit your materials via US Mail: Office of the Secretary of State,
Recruitment, PO Box 40227, Olympia, WA 98504 or fax to (360) 586-2033 Note: The act of submitting application materials is considered affirmation that the information
provided is complete and truthful. You understand that the state may verify information and that
untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, sexual orientation, disability, familial status,
marital status, and age. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing
assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in alternative format, should
call (360) 586-7285.
__________________________
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
07 WMS3 0681 WTBBL
The questions below ask about your experience in a variety of areas. Read the following instructions
carefully. Failure to follow instructions will result in a below passing score.
Answer each of the questions by selecting the appropriate check box and completing the supplemental
information where requested. You must select one answer only.
Please answer the questions honestly and accurately. All of the information you submit is subject to
verification by the Office of the Secretary of State. Also be sure to provide information in the
Employment History section of your application to support your responses.
1. Do you have demonstrated management experience in long-range or strategic planning, policy
development/implementation, budget development and/or project management?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe your management experience and include specific examples as
well as duration of this experience.
2. Do you have leadership skills and experience?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe the leadership role(s) that you have/had within your
organization. Provide characteristics of your leadership skills and examples of how you have used
these traits in your leadership roles(s).
3. Do you have experience working in a politically sensitive environment?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe the politically sensitive environment that you worked in and
what you did to be successful in this environment.
4. Do you have experience with change management?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe your role as a change agent. Please include the organization
and duration. Be sure to address communication plans, stakeholder involvement, challenges (if any)
and the outcome of this change.
5. Do you have experience in bringing together diverse groups to reach a consensus?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe the issue(s), how you achieved consensus, and the
outcome(s).
6. Do you have experience advocating for libraries?
(a) Yes
(b) No
If you responded yes, please describe examples of your advocacy.
