Head of Library Advisory and Development/Government Liaison

Job Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program, including budget monitoring, creating and monitoring procedures for reporting, overseeing grants, and developing new programs.

Serves as agency government liaison.

Provides advisory services to public library directors, trustees, and friends. Serves as program manager for the agency's electronic content services, which includes statewide databases, eBooks, and support for the state's nine automated networks. Manages the procurement of statewide databases and other electronic resources; serves as member of the agency management team; supervises Library Advisory and Development Unit staff.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works closely with the Director and LSTA Coordinator to develop the agency's LSTA five-year long-range plan.
2. Prepares budget requests for the federal LSTA program, determines priorities among requests from reporting staff, and explains these requests to the State Advisory Council on Libraries, the Director, and the Board of Library Commissioners.
3. Manages the LSTA Coordinator (Project Manager/Grants Specialist role) and works with them on LSTA Direct Grants, statewide projects, general LSTA-funded procurement, and communication with affiliates and other grantees.
4. Assists the Project Manager/Grants Specialist with all federally required reporting and coordination of federal staff site visits. Periodically works with Business Office staff and other states' library agencies on selection of LSTA grant evaluation consultant(s).
5. Performs legislative-related duties such as addressing members of the legislature, municipal officials, and library officials about agency programs and policies; prepares reports and maintains collegial relationships with representatives of other state agencies and organizations.
6. Closely monitors legislative activity relating to libraries and to the specific programs of the Board of Library Commissioners. Presents a monthly written report on legislative and state fiscal issues to the Director and Board of Library Commissioners.
7. Establishes and maintains frequent communication with the Library Legislative Caucus.
8. Serves as liaison to the Massachusetts Library Association's Legislative Committee and library advocacy groups across the Commonwealth.
9. Recommends legislative policies to the Director by analyzing all pertinent issues and information regarding the impact of proposed legislation and policy on agency operations. Determines the resources necessary to implement such policy in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations.
10. Works closely with the Communications Director to draft the annual Legislative Agenda/budget request materials.
11. Directs the public library advisory technical assistance program pursuant to MGL, c.78 secs. 19E and 19L.

12. Supervises the Library Information Systems Specialist to support development and implementation of policies and procedures consistent with policies established by the Director and the Board of Library Commissioners and determines the most effective utilization of resources.

13. Supervises and directs the Library Information Systems Specialist to coordinate the agency's database licensing and electronic content services.

14. Directs comprehensive program for Trustees, Friends of Libraries, and Library Foundations by supervising the Library Advisory Specialist. The program provides information and workshops to assist Trustees, Friends, and Foundations in meeting organizational and civic needs.

15. Supervises and directs the Consultant to Special Populations as they formulate and implement programs to improve library services to those who have difficulty using libraries including limited English-speaking, functionally illiterate, and others.

16. Supervises the Preservation Specialist as they develop and implement programming to meet the needs of libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions on issues including collection preservation, security, disaster preparedness and response, conservation and recovery, and other related topics.

17. Recommends training and collaboration priorities by evaluating the information needs of public librarians, the ability of the unit to meet those needs, and the availability of human, fiscal, and equipment resources needed to effectively prioritize and facilitate services.

18. Contributes annual updates to the agency's Internal Control Plan, to ensure procedures and methods are documented and clear to all employees.

19. Performs supervisory functions for the Library Advisory and Development Unit in accordance with Commonwealth and agency policies, including interviewing, selecting, and providing training for new staff; evaluating subordinates' performance; working with the Head of Operations and Budget on resolving employee grievances, determining the need for and initiating disciplinary action in order to ensure adequate and competent staffing, and conducting performance evaluations of direct reporting staff.

20. Performs other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledges, skills, abilities)

Knowledge of:

• The theory, principles, and practices of library & information science.

• Massachusetts state government structure, budget timeline, and functions.

• Municipal library structure in Massachusetts, especially regarding the relationships between libraries, their boards of trustees, and their municipalities.

• The concepts of public library planning and resource sharing.

• Basic functions of library consortia.

• Principles, practices, and techniques of supervision of professional employees in a hybrid work environment.

• Budgeting, as it relates to program management.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and comprehension skills, including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. Skill in public speaking.
• Ability to understand, apply, and interpret the provisions of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing agency operations, agency programs, state agencies, and state library agencies.
• Ability to delegate work and resolve interpersonal conflicts effectively.
• At least five years of successful management and supervision of professional employees.
• Strong ability and willingness to work collaboratively with library-related groups and establish liaisons and partnerships with other organizations outside of libraries.
• Skill at leading instructional sessions for adults, both in-person and virtually.
• Ability to organize and set priorities for multiple projects with competing deadlines and varying levels of time pressure.
• Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet changing requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work irregular hours (i.e., weekends, holidays, evenings)
• . Willingness and ability to travel in state and occasionally out of state for job-related purposes.
• QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledges, skills, abilities)
• Knowledge of the policies of the Board of Library Commissioners, especially related to federal grants administration.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and operating procedures governing the Library Advisory and Development Unit and the Board of Library Commissioners.
• Knowledge of the requirements and intricacies of the federal LSTA program.
• Awareness and understanding of the relationship between state agencies and the state legislature in regard to budgets.
• Knowledge of the requirements for the administration of federal and state grant programs on the state, city, and municipal levels.
• Knowledge of basic functions of MBLC's affiliated organizations.
• Knowledge of the principles underlying procurement at the state level.
• Knowledge of state statutes, regulations, and laws relating to libraries.

The goals of the MBLC are to:

• maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth's free public libraries,

• provide statewide and regional programs for the improvement of library services provided by libraries of all types,

• support resource sharing, online access, and the utilization of technology by libraries, and

• provide specialized library services to blind and physically handicapped residents.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Boston, MA

Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-250008CA

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2026-01-06T18:36:54