DISTRICT CHIEF

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

District Chief

Chicago Public Library

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies are possible, pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $106,272

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 08/30/2025

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

For nearly 150 years, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) has been at the heart of our city. A place of wonder, exploration and community. CPL welcomes more than 9 million people every year. Our national and international leadership in the library field stems from our deep commitment to supporting and serving patrons as they learn, play, develop skills and strengthen their communities.

Each of our communities is anchored by a library that is truly welcoming to all, inviting us not only to read, but to find resources, to discuss issues that matter to our communities, to experiment with new technologies and to participate in events and programs that enable us to learn and grow.

Each person's future is greatly influenced by the quality of resources in their community and their access to opportunities. We are working hard to create a city that respects the experience of all Chicagoans, removes unnecessary barriers, and paves the way for everyone to have access and opportunity to achieve their goals, Chicago Public Library plays an essential role in ensuring that every Chicagoan has the resources to learn, enjoy and contribute to the success of our great city.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner of Library Operations and Patron Experience, the District Chief position functions at the senior leadership level and provides overall direction and management of library services, programs, and operations for a district of approximately 15 branch libraries. Works with a team of other district chiefs to administer, plan, direct and evaluate public service systems that support the library's mission, values, services and strategy. Oversees personnel administration activities for employees within the district, including hiring, coaching, and mentoring. Directs branch staff in developing and achieving goals, objectives and quality standards for programs, services, and personnel to ensure community needs are being met.

Monitors and responds to facility maintenance and building needs, including safety and security concerns. Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and represents the Chicago Public Library on committees, at professional meetings and civic functions. Confers and collaborates with other Library administrators on issues of common interest and the development and implementation of new programs. Participates in the department's strategic planning and policy implementation efforts. Works with civic and community groups to determine and respond to neighborhood needs, interpret library trends, and promote increased use of library resources. Allocates and monitors budget activity to ensure fiscal responsibility as needed. Implements city and strategy goals and objectives. Upholds the Library's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited American Library Association college or university with a master's degree in library science or an approved foreign credential evaluation plus seven years of professional library experience of which three years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled or has completed an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Juris Doctorate degree program.

Education & Employment Verification - Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired you must provide, upon request, adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying. If you received your degree internationally, all international transcripts/diploma must be accompanied by a Foreign Credential Evaluation. If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous management experience

NOTE: To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience. You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties. (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.) If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for this position. There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.

NOTE: Attach a copy of your transcripts.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the job will be selected.

Your initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application form and documents submitted with the application. Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant. No second party applicants will be accepted.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources at 312-744-4976 (voice) or 312-744-5035 (TTY). Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor