Enter a job title or keyword

Library Information Systems Assistant Manager

City Of Grand Rapids

Job Location:

Grand Rapids, MI - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 74916 - 95614

Posted: 31 May 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 1 September 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

The job posting is outdated and position may be filled

Job Summary

Nature of Work

TheLibrary Information Systems Assistant Manager serves as the technical lead and deputy to the Information Systems (IS) Manager. This is a highly hands-on senior technical role designed for an experienced IT professional who excels at system optimization workflow integration and architectural problem-solving.

This position acts as the IS Managers full technical backup and plays a critical role in stabilizing and modernizing GRPLs infrastructure. This position leads database-focused initiatives virtualization and server modernization application replacement efforts and contributes to network and security decisions. The priority for this role is theEvergreen Integrated Library System (ILS)moving toward sustainable vendor-supported and native functionality. The ideal candidate is someone who can bridge the gap between complex database administration and hands-on infrastructure support while empowering staff through training and documentation.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Evergreen ILS & Database Optimization

Serve as the primary technical lead for the Evergreen ILS PostgreSQL database focusing on optimizing native functionality and set-it-and-forget-it reliability.
Audit legacy customizations; lead the migration of custom-built tools (Perl/PHP) to native Evergreen features or modern vendor-supported platforms (e.g. RFID Self-Checkout Hold Lockers).
Act as the lead technical liaison with external support partners (Equinox) to implement upgrades troubleshoot database interactions and refine staff workflows.
Develop and maintain complex Evergreen reports enabling non-technical departmental staff to access and interpret data independently.
Identify opportunities to reduce technical debt by favoring maintainable native system configurations over bespoke code.

Infrastructure Virtualization & Server Lifecycle

Lead the migration of End-of-Life (EOL) on-site servers to modern up-to-date in-house hardware and robust open-source virtualization platforms (XCP-ng or Proxmox).
Administer and modernize Ubuntu-based application database and utility servers (DNS DHCP cron jobs automation scripts).
Execute hardware refreshes and server consolidations ensuring high availability for on-premise mission-critical systems.
Focus on repatriation and stability: moving toward high-performance sustainable in-house and SaaS-based solutions.

Workflow Integration & Documentation

Partner with library departments to analyze workflows and provide guidance on using technology to solve operational bottlenecks.
Design and implement lightweight internal tools or scripts (Python SQL Bash) only when necessary ensuring they are fully documented and maintainable by the broader team.
Champion IS Transparency by creating documentation and training that removes IS as a bottleneck allowing staff to manage their own routine system tasks.
Serve as the IS Managers full technical backup with authority to approve designs and escalate vendor issues.

Networking & Security Collaboration

Perform hands-on network configuration and maintenance including firewall rules VLAN design and routing changes.
Serve as a second set of eyes on network security decisions patching strategies vulnerability remediation and incident response.

Minimum Training and Experience

Required:

Bachelors degree in Computer Science Information Systems or a related field; three (3) or more years of progressively advanced experience in systems administration; or equivalent combination of training and experience as determined by GRPL management.

Preferred:

Expertise in SQL and Relational Databases.
Deep experience with PostgreSQL.
Experience administering Linux-based server environments particularly Ubuntu and Debian.
Proven ability to manage virtualization (XCP-ng) networking (VLANs/Firewalls) and hardware refreshes simultaneously.
Prior experience with Evergreen ILS or other library-specific technologies.
Experience working effectively with third-party support (like Equinox) to deliver projects.
A track record of performing updates to systems with clean documented and vendor-supported solutions.
Prior work in a public-sector library or highly mission-driven organization.

Other Necessary Qualifications

Core Competencies

Systems Thinking & Architecture: Architects fault-tolerant scalable solutions that prioritize long-term resilience over quick-fix patches.
Empowerment-Focused: Values teaching and documentation; seeks to make IT processes transparent to the rest of the organization.
Pragmatic Integration: Ability to connect disparate vendor tools (RFID Lockers API integrations) into a cohesive functional ecosystem.
Technical Communication: Can explain the why behind a change to non-technical staff to get buy-in for new workflows.

Other Information

Please note the following:

A cover letter is required
- Please attach a cover letter in pdf format that describes your interest in the position your interest in working at GRPL and how these might tie in with personal or professional goals
All communication regarding this position will be done via email; it is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile
To be eligible for this position you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page

Please visit thelibrarys jobs page for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.

All inquiries related to this posting should be directed to:

Grand Rapids Public Library

111 Library St NE

Grand Rapids MI 49503

GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.

Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race color religion gender gender identity sexual orientation age national origin veteran status disability height weight familial status marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including but not limited to recruiting hiring transfer training promotion discipline termination leaves of absence compensation and benefits as well as work-related events and activities.

Required Experience:

Manager

Apply Now