The City of Port Colborne, located on the south coast of the scenic Niagara region, Niagara’s Port of Call has found the perfect balance – successful industrial and commercial sectors, comfortable and scenic residential areas, white sand beaches, unique culinary choices, the world class Sugarloaf Marina, fishing, golfing, trails, shopping districts along the historic Welland Canal and an energized festival and entertainment scene that includes live theatre – truly a community that adds to the overall Niagara Experience. A great place to work and raise a family!

The Port Colborne Public Library is currently recruiting a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO works with the Port Colborne Public Library Board to provide strategic leadership and vision in the delivery of effective, inclusive, and high quality public library services. The CEO plans, organizes, and directs all facets of the organization’s operations to provide services within the strategic, policy, and financial framework established by the Library Board, and in accordance with the Public Libraries Act.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the delivery of library services, and the overall performance of the library in the community.
  • Develops objectives, policies, and procedures for Board consideration and approval, and directs the implementation of approved policies and procedures to meet objectives.
  • Responsible for the productivity of all departments within the library through approval of plans and programs, problem solving, motivation and evaluation.
  • Directs the work of all staff members.
  • Responsible for overseeing human resources matters related to Library Services including hiring, promotion, discipline, layoff, termination, performance appraisal, training and development, job evaluation, grievances and negotiations, and administration and interpretation of the Collective Agreement with CUPE Local 155 Port Colborne Public Library Unit in alignment with legal/regulatory requirements.
  • Overall responsibility for the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets for presentation to the Library Board. Participates with the Board in decision-making leading to the approval of the final operating and capital budgets.
  • Provides support and expertise to the Board in preparing a strategic plan and ensures that identified goals and objectives are realized.
  • Applies for and administers grants to supplement and extend the library’s services.
  • Attends all meetings of the Library Board in the capacity of Secretary and Treasurer to the Board, and as Chief Executive Officer.
  • Records and prepares minutes of all library board meetings and replies to all correspondence on behalf of the Board as directed.
  • Represents the Library on various library bodies of a regional and provincial nature.
  • Responds to complaints and inquiries from library patrons and other residents of the community. Speaks on behalf of the library before City Council, committees of City Council, senior staff members of the City and local media.
  • Prepares work schedules, arranges adequate coverage for staff vacations and illnesses.
  • Responsible for the overall development and maintenance of library collections and integrated library system.
  • Manages the library facility ensuring effective maintenance, security, and use of the building.
  • Maintains an effective working relationship with the City of Port Colborne representatives of other library systems and other government agencies.
  • Responsible for liaison with Provincial and Local government officials as necessary.
  • Represents the library in varied municipal and public activities.
  • Provides professional reference service, reader’s advisory, programming, and materials selection when required.
  • Other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate has a Post-graduate degree in Library and Information Science (such as Master of Library and Information Science) from an accredited library school. A Master of Business Administration is considered an asset. You will have a minimum of 10 years relevant experience and a minimum of 5 years experience in a leadership role. You have experience in staff management, budget administration, Collective Agreement negotiations and working in a non-profit, community-based environment. Your public relations skills with Library patrons, City Staff and Council, the general public, and the media are polished and professional. You have a keen ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Board and staff. Your organizational skills are extremely well-developed. You have excellent knowledge of and ability with computerized library methods and services. You have knowledge of Dewey Decimal cataloguing procedures, Library of Congress subject headings, AACR2, authority control principles and MARC techniques.

The salary range for this full-time non-union position is $110,994.47 - $129,848.99 based on 35 hours per week and comes with a competitive benefit and pension package. 

For full details, please see the job description here

To confidentially explore this exciting and challenging opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter quoting Competition #2023-55 by 4:00pm on October 10, 2023. 

City of Port Colborne
66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne, Ontario L3K 3C8
Email: hr@portcolborne.ca
Fax: 905-835-2969

We thank all those who apply, but advise that only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The City of Port Colborne is an equal opportunity employer.  Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. If contacted for an interview, please advise the Human Resources staff of any measures you feel you need to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 (S.O. 2001, c.25) and will be used to select a candidate.