Chief Executive Officer
Closing Date: September 10th, 2010

The Organization
Located in sunny Medicine Hat, Alberta, the Shortgrass Library System (SLS) serves a population of over 100,000 with a budget of $2 million through a network of eleven autonomous public libraries. SLS also provides contractual services to a total of thirty-three school libraries in Prairie Rose School Division Number 8 and Medicine Hat School District Number 76. Our System website is located at www.shortgrass.ca. For information about the City of Medicine Hat, go to www.medicinehat.ca.

The Position
The Chief Executive Officer of the Shortgrass Library System reports directly to the Shortgrass Library System Board. This position has overall responsibility for a staff of 18 FTEs, and directly supervises three managers as well as a special project consultant. Within the region SLS serves, the CEO liaises with representatives of public libraries, school districts, and municipal councils. The CEO also works with other regional library systems in Alberta as well as provincial and federal library organizations.

The Chief Executive Officer

• Provides leadership to the overall operations of SLS and the delivery of system services
• Advises and assists the Board in the development and implementation of its Plan of Service as well as any related policies
• Ensures effective and efficient reporting to the Board on the general operations and financial status of the System and System-wide program evaluation
• Assumes the leadership, authority and responsibility for the management of the system staff
• Promotes an environment of engagement, openness, innovation and resourcefulness among staff and the Board
• Manages and maintains all System assets appropriately, including the physical building
• Liaises and maintains good public relations with the member libraries, other library systems, trustees, government agencies, provincial associations, community groups, the media, the general public and other stakeholders
• Seeks out opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other libraries and library systems across Alberta

Qualifications

• Masters degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent
• Several years of progressive responsibility in library management, including planning, operations and supervision
• Knowledge of the Alberta Libraries Act and Regulations and other relevant provincial and federal legislation
• Possesses a collaborative leadership style
• Excellent human resources management skills, strong teamwork ethic
• Excellent organizational, planning, and decision-making skills
• Thorough knowledge of budgeting principles and practices
• Experience in community liaison, specifically with allied agencies, institutions and groups
• Regional Library System experience desirable

Compensation

• Salary will be dependent upon qualifications and experience, and will be negotiated at the time of hiring
• Excellent benefits package
• Vacation starting at four weeks per annum

Please send letter of application, resume, and contact information of three references to: