WiLS Community Liaison & Service Specialist Positions

WiLS is now accepting applications for four Community Liaison & Service Specialist positions that will shape the services of the “new” WiLS!The WiLS Community Liaison & Service Specialist positions will work together to identify WiLS member needs and to develop (and carry out!) projects that meet those needs.  Each member of this team will be connected to the Wisconsin library community and have demonstrated leadership experience.  With a proven track record of being highly motivated and enthusiastic problem solvers, this team will work together to see what needs to be done to provide excellent service to members…and to get it done!

WiLS is a non-profit member organization that provides services to over 400 libraries, primarily in Wisconsin.   It is currently undergoing a reorganization, and these positions are an exciting opportunity for innovative professionals to be part of a small team that will continue to develop the redefined organization and to provide valuable services and build strong community in a transparent way.

These positions will concentrate on three areas of service:  membership, cooperative purchasing, and project services/continuing education (see attached position description for more explanation of these service areas and examples of some of our current projects.).  The cooperative purchasing program manages almost 3,000 subscriptions for library online resources (and will be the focus of two of these positions).

These are telecommuting positions with set hours and the expectation that the Community Liaison & Service Specialists will be out in the community at least 3 days per week; strong preference will be given to candidates in Wisconsin.  Salary: $55,000; insurance/benefits stipend of $15,000 (WiLS will not provide any insurance packages).

Successful candidates will have the following qualifications/requirements:
–MLS or equivalent experience.
–5 or more years of professional experience.
–Demonstrated ability to manage complex long-term projects involving multiple stakeholders.
–Working knowledge of the Wisconsin library landscape.
–Demonstrated ability to master new technology and software packages quickly.
–Demonstrated ability to complete tasks independently and with a high-level of accuracy.
–Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in writing, by phone, and through distance technologies
–Ability to present complex information in a clear & engaging way in writing and orally.
–Experience creating & managing budgets.
–Ability to provide excellent customer service.
–Extensive experience & demonstrated  expertise in one or more of the following areas:  electronic resource management, technical support, documenting technical procedures, editing, data gathering/interpretation, focus group/survey design, price & contract negotiations, electronic resource licensing agreements, marketing & promotion, group purchasing, designing/developing software applications, group facilitation, professional education event planning, or a strong reputation as an expert in a specific topical area of library service not mentioned above.
–Ability and willingness to work with colleagues, to be flexible, to be patient, to have a great sense of humor, and to do whatever it takes to provide the best possible service to our members and partners.
–Ability to self-motivate and to complete tasks with minimal direction/supervision.
–Ability to think “outside the box” and see and articulate a new vision for library services depending on the customers’ needs.
–Access to high-speed internet.
–Ability to travel throughout the Wisconsin library community at least three times per week.

See general position description. Specific job duties and position descriptions will be developed based on the talents of the individuals hired.

To begin your application process, please submit the following four things to no later than April 5, 2013:
–Cover letter
–Resume
–Contact information for three references
–A brief (one page or less) writing sample answering the following question:  Each Community Liaison & Service Specialist will be responsible for managing complex projects and services.  If you’re applying for this position, we expect that you have some experience in managing complex projects/services…so tell us about it!  Please describe a project/service that you’ve managed in detail.  Tell us about how the scope of the project, how many people it involved, your role (be specific and honest!!), if the outcome was what you expected, how you evaluated it, and anything else you think might be helpful for us to know.