SECRETARY OF STATE (DEPT OF STATE)

Address:  1030 N. 32nd St. | Phoenix, AZ 85008

Salary: $31.00 Hourly - $64,480 Yearly

Grade: 22

1st Resume Review: October 29th, 2026

This position is supported by funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The position is established for the period of grant funding and is subject to funding availability, grant requirements, and project needs. Employment beyond the grant-funded period is not guaranteed.

The Arizona Talking Book Library has a leadership opening for the role of Assistant Administrator. This position contributes to the vision "that all may read" by providing library services and accessible collections to blind, low vision and print disabled Arizonans.

The Assistant Administrator is customer service focused, leading the Public Services department in patron recruitment and retention efforts. Through supervision and coaching of professional and paraprofessional staff, the Assistant Administrator oversees department activities that include application processing and eligibility certification, new patron interviews, and reader advisement.

This role has a voice in state and national discussions on services to this population. The Arizona Talking Book Library is a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records and a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The Assistant Administrator is adaptable and supports staff and readers through change, finding sustainable ways to implement new collections and programming to benefit patrons.

Hours of operation are as follows: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Occasional weekends, evenings and holidays are required to attend conferences, outreach, and special events.

The Assistant Administrator's areas of impact include:

Leadership:
Supervise and mentor professional and paraprofessional staff
Work closely with and serve as backup to the Arizona Talking Book Library Administrator
Work collaboratively with all divisions within the Arizona Department of State

Patron Onboarding and Retention:
Oversee an active department with certification, outreach, and reader advisory staff
Review patron records and facilitate contact of inactive members to encourage participation
Conduct patron satisfaction surveys

Patron Recruitment and Outreach:
Coordinate outreach activities of staff and volunteers to grow membership in statewide program
Participate in tours, group presentations and community events
Review and revise outreach handouts, design special flyers and letters for community members and certifying authorities

If you are a supervising librarian with a heart for creativity, positivity and accessibility, please consider joining our team. Visit azlibrary.gov/talkingbooks to learn more about our branch and its collections. 

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Supervise and mentor a team of professional and paraprofessional staff. Approve schedules and time sheets, monitor performance and complete assessments. Supervise hiring as needed. Conduct department and team meetings.

Lead in patron retention efforts to increase readership and satisfaction. Coach in customer service best practices and respond to patron inquiries and concerns. Provide backup in major department functions including reader advisory services and new patron enrollment. Perform annual records review and coordinate with staff to contact inactive patrons. Conduct patron satisfaction surveys.

Lead in patron recruitment efforts. Coordinate outreach activities of staff and volunteers. Participate in statewide volunteer onboarding and training to expand awareness of library program and service updates. Conduct library tours, represent the library at community events, and present to outside organizations and other interested groups. Assist with completing and certifying applications as needed.

Assist the branch Administrator in the planning and administration of the Arizona Talking Book Library. Work collaboratively with all divisions of the Arizona Department of State. Participate in project management and grant administration. Act as librarian-in-charge and building supervisor as scheduled. Work with library and facilities personnel on building repairs and renovations. Participate in agency and library leadership teams.

Maintain accurate statistics and interpret circulation system reports. Act as an Integrated Library System administrator. Recommend and implement changes in software settings to improve patron and staff experience.

Oversee production of flyers, handouts and templates from this branch. Edit newsletter and other publications, ensuring all documents meet current accessibility standards.

Participate in professional development and networking opportunities. Maintain knowledge of federal guidelines for Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled and updates to the national program through regular attendance at trainings, network meetings, and conferences. Ensure direct reports are up to date on state and federal requirements.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge:
Broad knowledge of library practices and procedures
Knowledge of library automation software
Thorough knowledge of books and popular general reading tastes and habits
Knowledge of current issues and trends in libraries, particularly serving special needs users
Knowledge of WCAG Accessibility Guidelines
Knowledge of Springshare products

Skills:
Strong customer service skills
Personnel skills to direct and mentor staff and to negotiate conflicts
Strong computer skills, including Windows, Word and Excel
Excellent organization skills, including time and resource management

Abilities:
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with organizations and agencies that support or provide similar services as those of the Arizona Talking Book Library
Effective written and oral communication abilities
Ability to work with staff at all levels
Ability to work effectively with the public, including users of alternate formats of library materials
Ability to create engaging and accessible images, handouts and postcards using graphic design tools like Canva
Ability to create and edit web content through a Content Management System like Drupal

Bilingual speaking skills (Spanish) preferred

Valid AZ Driver's License
MA in Library Science or related degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum of four (4) years experience as a professional librarian, with two (2) years of progressive supervisory responsibility

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.