Collections & Technical Services Manager

The Opportunity

Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is seeking a Collections & Technical Services Manager to join our team. This position supports the department's mission by leading the work to make library collections accessible, inviting, and reflective of the unique communities across our county. Responsible for the Collections and Technical Services teams at WCCLS, the Manager will develop the shared vision needed to collaborate and execute on the work of developing an integrated and efficient system of collection management and access, helping local libraries continue to provide community-focused collections. The Collections & Technical Services Manager is a key member of WCCLS' Leadership Team, setting and monitoring goals for the department, supporting the development of supervisors, and equipping our staff to contribute their skills and expertise in a work culture that embraces a growth mindset and collaboration.

The Library Cooperative and Upcoming Projects

The Collection & Technical Services Manager is a new position for WCCLS and comes out of a multi-year funding and governance evaluation process that our cooperative library system is undertaking. The cooperative system is a partnership between the county, 9 cities and 3 nonprofit associations. Our 12 partners operate 16 library locations, and historically have managed their physical collections locally, while WCCLS provided centralized digital collections. The partners have agreed to centralize collection management and technical services across print and digital, to support the long-term fiscal sustainability of the system. Learn more about this transition and see local collection statistics.

This is an exciting opportunity to build out an expanded program of service, knitting together strong existing team members with new positions that will be added to support the additional work of managing an estimated total collection budget of at least $6 million, in addition to acquisitions, cataloging, processing, and distribution to libraries. This manager will be key to creating systems of input between library leaders and the cooperative, as we work to lead a successful transition that honors our libraries' investment and expertise in local collections, identifying the local strengths our libraries have nurtured, and providing them on a scale that benefits all residents of Washington County. WCCLS is contracting with experts to support the transition with our libraries, including project management, facilitation and change management expertise, and data analysis.

Anticipated Timeline & Key Milestones

• Winter 2026: Consultant onboarded to facilitate system design and transition planning.
• Spring 2026: New Manager joins the team and begins working with the project team and consultants, begins recruitment for supervisors focused on collections and technical services.
• Spring-Fall 2026: Collaborate with cooperative partners to design organizational structure and workflows for the new system; continue to build out the team.
• Fall 2026-Spring 2027: Pilot and test new centralized processes; identify and resolve operational challenges.
• July 2027: Launch of the new centralized collection management and technical services system.
• Post-launch: Continuous refinement of workflows, performance evaluation, and optimization of services to ensure system stability and efficiency.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Collection & Technical Services Manager is a working title. This position is classified as a Program Manager. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link: Program Manager

Our Ideal Candidate

You are deeply committed to the freedom to read, and you are an experienced manager of collections and/or technical services work in a library setting, with demonstrated success providing collections for a community with many cultures and languages, and enhancing access through thoughtful improvements to technical services and systems. You are a skilled manager with demonstrated success in creatively deploying resources to deliver effective results, and you consider how we can lay the foundations for future improvements in our work today. You have the drive to lead the creation of new systems of work in an organization, the emotional intelligence to lead change, and the patience to continue to make incremental progress on big goals. You create thoughtful systems and processes to move the organization toward outcomes that support our community members' equal access to service and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

About WCCLS & Washington County

WCCLS is the primary funding source for public libraries in Washington County and provides the essential infrastructure that links independently operated library buildings together into one system that is accessible to all county residents. This includes library collections, technology access, the integrated library system and discovery layer, materials movement, and administering the cooperative library system, including policies, contracts, data analysis and reporting. The cooperative model ensures that residents in cities big and small, as well as rural and unincorporated areas across the county, have access to the same life-changing library services.

Washington County is located just west of Portland, Oregon. We are the second most populous county in our welcoming state and the five most spoken languages after English are Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. With a strong regional tech economy, Washington County has a high median education and income level and there is strong community support for our public library system. In November 2025, 59% of voters supported a significant funding increase for WCCLS. WCCLS is a department of Washington County, and our Board of County Commissioners are great supporters of our library system, including our deeply held value of the freedom to read. Learn more about visiting the beautiful rural areas and the thriving cities of Washington County at tualatinvalley.org.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field, including library science; AND Three (3) years of pertinent professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility, such as library collections, cataloging, systems, and/or technical services. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role. OR
• Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field, including library science; AND Five (5) years of relevant professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility, such as library collections, cataloging, systems, and/or technical services. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role.

Additional Requirements

• Some positions may require a completion of a background check

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant.

Next Steps:

1. Apply today! In lieu of a resume, you are required to complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
2. MQ Review: HR will screen applications for MQs after the posting closes.
3. Subject Matter Expert (SME) Review: Depending on the number of applicants that meet MQs, a SME panel may perform an in-depth evaluation of your application materials, including your responses to the supplemental questions. Your total score for this examination will affect your placement on the eligible list (a list of candidates eligible for interviews).
4. Panel Interview(s): Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates who successfully pass the SME review as soon as possible.
5. Conditional Offer of Appointment: Human Resources will conduct a salary analysis for the successful candidate(s) and extend an offer of appointment.

Our Commitment to You

Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community.

• Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to request veterans' preference points for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points
• Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: A reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance, please contact Human Resources at 503-846-8606 or careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before the step(s) of the selection process for which you feel you need an accommodation.

Additional Resources

• Questions about this recruitment? Contact Mia at mia_richards@washingtoncountyor.gov
• New to GovernmentJobs.com? Visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the application process. Need technical support? Call Government Jobs' Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.