Description

The Library 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 Manager’s full technical backup and plays a critical role in stabilizing and modernizing GRPL’s 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 the Evergreen 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 Manager’s 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.

Requirements

Minimum Training and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s 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.

To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page.