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THE POSITION
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Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking a Community Relations Manager to join our team. This position supports the department's mission by leading the work to make WCCLS services accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the community needs at the countywide level. Responsible for the Marketing & Communications and Partnerships teams, they will develop the shared vision needed to collaborate and execute on the work of increasing community awareness of library services, reaching new users, and seeking the input needed to ensure that WCCLS services are relevant and accessible to our diverse community. This work underpins WCCLS' ability to achieve our strategic plan imperatives, especially
Increase Access and
Deepen Community Awareness and Engagement. The Community Relations Manager is a key member of WCCLS' Leadership Team, working alongside the Operations Manager and the IT Systems Administration Supervisor to set and monitor goals for the department, support the development of supervisors, and equipping our staff to contribute their skills and expertise in a departmental work culture that embraces a growth mindset and collaboration.
As WCCLS moves through the Writing Our Future process with our nine city and three nonprofit partners, we expect potential updates to our operational and governance models as a library system, as well as an upcoming educational effort for the November 2025 library levy replacement. The Community Relations Manager will play a key role in implementing these exciting projects.
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
About WCCLS
WCCLS is the primary funding source for public libraries in Washington County and provides the essential infrastructure that links independently operated library buildings together into one system that is accessible to all county residents. This includes library collections, technology access, the catalog search, shared inventory and account system, materials movement, and administering the cooperative library system, including policies, contracts, data analysis and reporting. The cooperative model ensures that residents in cities big and small, as well as unincorporated areas across the county, have access to the same life-changing library services. WCCLS is funded by a local option levy as well as a transfer from the General Fund.
Our Ideal Candidate
You are passionate about the vital and ever-evolving role public libraries play in our communities and are inspired by WCCLS' vision to create a curious, engaged, and literate community where everyone is welcome and thrives. You are a professional and energetic ambassador for libraries, with demonstrated success connecting with diverse communities, cultures, and audiences. You are a skilled manager with demonstrated success in creatively deploying staffing and resources to deliver effective outcomes, and you consider how we can lay the foundations for future improvements in our work today. You have the drive to lead the creation of new systems of work in an organization, the emotional intelligence to lead change, and the patience to continue to make incremental progress on big goals. You create thoughtful systems and processes to move the organization toward more equitable and inclusive outcomes.
Community Relations Manager is a working title. This position is classified as a Program Manager. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link: Program Manager
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role, even if you believe you do not meet all of the hiring criteria described in the minimum qualifications.
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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Education and Experience:
- Master's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field; AND Three (3) years of pertinent professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role. OR
- Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field; AND Five (5) years of relevant professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role.
Additional Requirements:
- The work of this position requires attending events across the metro area on evenings and weekends. In addition, the position requires in person meetings at our partner library locations across the county, so ready access to transportation across the county and metro area is required.
In the duties section of your application, clearly describe your experience in relation to the minimum qualifications above. Specific program area of responsibility include: library, community engagement, community relations, and public administration.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Please note: a cover letter is required to be considered for this position.
Next Steps
- Apply today! In lieu of a resume, you are required to complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
- MQ Review: HR will screen applications for MQs after the posting closes.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) Review: Depending on the number of applicants that meet MQs, a SME panel may perform an in-depth evaluation of your application materials, including your cover letter and responses to the supplemental questions.
- Panel Interview(s): Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates who successfully pass the SME Review as soon as possible.
- Conditional Offer of Appointment: Human Resources will conduct a salary analysis for the successful candidate(s) and extend a conditional offer of appointment.
- Post-Offer Check: The successful candidate will undergo reference checks.
- Start Date: A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities. Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to request veterans' preference points for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points (Download PDF reader)
- Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance, please contact Human Resources at 503-846-8606 or careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before the step(s) of the selection process for which you feel you need an accommodation.
Additional Resources
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