City seeks library director candidates

Applications are being accepted as part of the city’s effort to fill the Camas Public Library’s top position.

The full-time director oversees the library’s programs, activities and operations, administers its policies and procedures, and leads personnel.

The salary range is $7,038 to $8,405 per month, depending on experience and qualifications. The position also includes health benefits.

The application packet lists the position’s current priorities as completing the library’s strategic plan and, “assessing department culture and providing strong staff leadership to the department ensuring efficient and effective staffing models.”

The application period closes Monday, May 9, at 5 p.m. City Administrator Pete Capell told the City Council during its April 18 workshop that officials will then screen the submissions, and pick applicants who will be asked to complete a supplementary questionnaire. A select group will be invited to be part of the in-person interview process.

“Hopefully in early June we will be having interviews so that if we get good candidates, which we are optimistic about, we will have somebody on board sometime in July,” he said.

The permanent position is open following the October 2015 retirement of Director David Zavortink, Since that time, Assistant Director Linda Swenton has been serving as the interim director.

Swenton, who was originally hired in June 2012, recently submitted her resignation. Her last day will be Friday, May 6.

Although the library will then be without a director and an assistant director, Capell said he is confident the remaining staff will be able to successfully handle daily operations until a new leader is hired.

“Visitors to the library will not see a difference, however, some back office projects may be put on hold until the new director comes on board,” he said. “We will likely have a few people whom we will ask to take on some additional administrative duties during the vacancy.”

The library director reports to the city administrator and oversees approximately 14 employees. The department’s annual budget is $1.4 million.

The library is housed in a 30,000 square foot building at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave. It re-opened in March 2003 after an extensive remodel and construction project, funded by a voter-approved bond.

The library houses more than 148,000 titles for adults, teens and children, which includes books, portable MP3’s, CDs, magazines and newspapers, ebooks, DVDs, videotapes and recorded books.

Each year, an estimated 20,000 people attend the more than 600 programs that are offered at the library, ranging from children’s story times to computer classes for senior citizens.

The application packet for the library director position is available on the city’s website at www.cityofcamas.us/index.php/jobs.