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EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

Research and Data Coordinator

Recruitment #26-005055-0012

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Introduction

The Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA) ensures all Marylanders have access to outstanding services and welcoming, innovative spaces by administering state and federal funding, empowering library professionals through certification and training programs, and facilitating collaboration across public, school and academic libraries. The Research and Data Coordinator leads and oversees the state public library statistics program including directing and coordinating the public library annual report process and managing other surveys to collect library statistics and other required information.

GRADE

21

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland State Library Agency Headquarters
25 South Charles Street Suite 
1310 Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

This position develops, collects, manages, analyzes, interprets, and disseminates public library statistics in order to provide information about public libraries at the local, state, and national levels, as well as to demonstrate the impacts of public libraries to communities, organizations, and government agencies. This position provides guidance, consultation, and support to internal and external stakeholders working with public library statistics and data requirements. Promotes and encourages the use of collected statistics by the state’s public libraries for management and budget purposes and services development.

POSITION DUTIES

  • Functions as Maryland’s State Data Coordinator (SDC) and works with other SDCs in order to develop and implement national public library statistics initiatives.
  • Directs the public library annual report process by designing the report, generating state level data elements, and implementing national data elements.
  • Collects, cleans, submits and analyzes data submitted to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Public Library Survey.
  • Coordinates ongoing evaluation of the Agency’s Five-year plan.
  • Develops, designs, and manages other regular surveys and ad hoc surveys as necessary to gather information from public libraries.
  • Analyzes, compares, and interprets public library data and aggregates local library data for use by MSLA staff, public libraries, state and federal agencies, and the general public.
  • Fulfills statistics requests from MSLA administrative and department staff, other state agencies, public libraries, boards of trustees, and other user groups, creating and providing data to stakeholders in support of decision-making, budgeting, and reporting.
  • Plans, organizes, and conducts special research projects to meet state library needs.
  • Guides and engages in collaboration and provides consultation, guidance, and support regarding public library statistics to public library directors and other administrators, business managers, library staff, MSLA coworkers, State Data Coordinator colleagues, and other external stakeholders.
  • Advises and assists libraries in the development of library statistics collection processes, analysis, reporting, and use. Manages the MDLIBSTAT listserv, coordinates statistics working groups, to increase input and communication between vested data partners.
  • Works with MSLA and public library staff to analyze data needs and propose and assist in designing solutions.
  • Trains public library directors and other library staff regarding data collection and reporting in order to facilitate accurate and consistent annual report submissions.
  • Conducts research using external (including non-library) data sources to identify and report on trends, topics of interest for external communication.
  • Provides reports to Agency, Library and external stakeholders on issues impacting and/or related to library services.
  • Provide consultation and support to Staff Development Coordinators regarding the certification of library associates, professional librarians and public library directors.
  • Serves as liaison between the library systems and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
  • Maintain the MSLA Certification LibGuide and assure it is up to date.
  • Serve as communications liaison with the Library Associates Training Institute (LATI) Coordinator and library systems about LATI staff participation.
  • Serve as program officer for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) subgrants in assigned counties.
  • Act as first point of contact for library system staff in addressing questions, or soliciting system-specific information.
  • Serve as back up for Grant Coordinator and administrator of the agency’s Electronic Grants Management System.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Four years of administrative experience in, or affiliated with data analysis or business insights, including two years of experience in coordinating or administering data and research in a public library or government environment. 

Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience directly related to the position option for the required education. 

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree at an accredited college or university in a field related to the position for one year of the required experience. 

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the data and research on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Dresired/Preferred Qualifications:

 1. Four years of experience working with a data visualization software product. 
 2. Two years combined work experience in, or affiliated with, policy analysis or writing.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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