Policy AnalystSalary: $94,411.20
Are you motivated to help define the key policies that will shape the world’s largest urban public library system? Toronto Public Library (TPL) is one of the busiest library systems in the world. Busier than the New York, Chicago or Los Angeles public libraries. There were over 18 million visits to Toronto library branches last year. That’s more than the Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, AGO and the ROM combined. See full job description at bottom.
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Quick Facts about the Toronto Public Library (2017)
Current Toronto Public Library strategic priorities include:
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Toronto Public Library - Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
Toronto Public Library will be recognized as the world's leading library by informing and inspiring Toronto and its communities, making us all more resilient, more knowledgeable, more connected and more successful.
Mission
Toronto Public Library provides free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians. The Library preserves and promotes universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Values
Vision
Toronto Public Library will be recognized as the world's leading library by informing and inspiring Toronto and its communities, making us all more resilient, more knowledgeable, more connected and more successful.
Mission
Toronto Public Library provides free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians. The Library preserves and promotes universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Values
- Equity: Accessibility, respect and fairness
- Diversity: Valuing individual needs, experiences and differences
- Intellectual Freedom: Guaranteeing and facilitating the free exchange of information and ideas in a democratic society, protecting intellectual freedom and respecting individuals' rights to privacy and choice
- Innovation: Encouraging creativity, experimentation and the generation of ideas
- Inclusion: Welcoming participation in decision making and service development by residents and communities
- Integrity: Open, transparent and honest in all our dealings
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and the services we provide
- Service Orientation: Providing excellent, responsive services
JOB DESCRIPTION - Toronto Public Library - Policy Analyst
OVERVIEW:
Are you motivated to help define the key policies that will shape the world’s largest urban public library system? Toronto Public Library is one of the busiest library systems in the world. It is busier than the New York, Chicago or Los Angeles public libraries. There were over 18 million visits last year. That’s more than the Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, AGO and the ROM combined.
Your core mandate revolves around helping to expand access, increase opportunities, and build connections with over 2 million Torontonians who use the system each year. On average users receive $500 worth of services annually which contributes $1 billion to Toronto’s economy.
This senior role with a private office at the Toronto Reference Library (Yonge/Bloor) pays $94,411.20 and includes a comprehensive long-term benefits package with an OMERS pension plan plus health, dental, life Insurance and more.
This is a key role where your input will help shape critical policies and improve user experiences. You will tend to work independently but in collaboration with senior managers across multiple divisions within the Library as well as City of Toronto staff, Councilors and Provincial officials.
Some examples of the policies you would be working on may include (but not be limited to):
- Researching best practices for major finance, procurement and public consultation policies
- Developing short, medium and long-term strategic plans
- Identifying key policies to allow for advancing digital platforms
- Making Library membership as barrier free as possible
- Working out efficient joint-use policies where public space is shared (e.g. when a library and recreational centre are attached)
- Updating Social Media policies
- Reviewing protocols (e.g. updating photo and video policies on library property to allow for multi-media presentations)
- Assisting with staff development initiatives
- Additional broad based (big “P”) policies as well as detailed (small “p”) policy implementation strategies.
JOB DETAIL:
The Policy Analyst provides support for the development and implementation of a policy agenda for Toronto Public Library, ensuring an integrated approach and support for evidence-based decision making.
Reporting to the Manager Planning and Development, the Policy Analyst is responsible for providing policy support, research and strategic advice to Toronto Public Library, including tracking provincial and municipal legislation and City of Toronto policies, strategies and initiatives, and the implications for the library; researching and drafting briefing notes and draft policy directions in consultation with staff across the library and with key stakeholders; supporting the communication, implementation and monitoring of policy directions and the evaluation of new and existing policies against strategic directions, outcomes and intended results for Toronto’s diverse residents and communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Analyze strategic policy directions to ensure alignment with other orders of government and the library sector, and an innovative forward-looking policy agenda approach, responsive to changing community needs
- Monitor and research changes to federal, provincial and municipal legislation, regulatory and policy framework and interpret implications for the Library
- Monitor developments in the business, library and government sectors, including City Council and Committee agenda and reports, distribute information as appropriate and initiate the necessary action to respond
- Consult, co-ordinate and conduct research and analysis with respect to policy matters and library issues and formulate directions and policy options for review, including identifying decisive, relevant data for characterizing the problem and the implications of policy options, including performance measurement
- Prepare background reports, briefing memos, presentation materials and draft policies for review by senior staff and the Library Board
- Consult and liaise with agencies, external stakeholders, residents and communities on policy issues
- Review requests for legal opinions and interpretations; liaise with legal counsel and external legal opinions, as required, and maintain appropriate files
- Deal with confidential and sensitive information affecting Library operations, assets and resources
- Provide co-ordination leadership and subject matter expertise to project teams working on policy issues
- Track the development, approval, implementation and evaluation of library policy and responses to other issues in coordination with key stakeholders
- Develop and deliver policy related training packages presentations and materials for implementing new or changing policies, ensuring appropriate staff and stakeholders are trained and kept apprised of legislative and policy directions work and processes
- Respond to policy related questions from staff, stakeholders and the library sector
- Ensure the dissemination of approved library policies across the organization
- Monitor policies against stated outcomes and performance measures to evaluate the outcomes, impact and effectiveness of policy directions on Toronto’s diverse residents and communities; and recommend the necessary changes
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated knowledge of policy and program development principles in the public sector
- Post-secondary education in a related discipline, combined with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the policy field
- Knowledge of the legislative and policy frameworks at the municipal, provincial and professional levels
- Excellent report writing, communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to deal effectively throughout all levels of the organization
- Well-developed project management skills, including the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently, project team management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
- Strong research, analytical and evaluation skills, including use of evidence-based qualitative and quantitative sources and methodologies
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with demonstrated skill in consulting with stakeholders
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of library values and services, corporate priorities and strategic directions
- Demonstrated combination of skills, training and experience in the library or policy environment related to supporting projects, carrying out research and developing reports
- Sound judgement and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately