Librarian - Senior (Branch Librarian)

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Retiree medical insurance
• Deferred compensation
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.

*Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please click here to view Professional benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To plan, organize, supervise, and perform more difficult library activities and manage the operations of a large library or division within the library system; establishes goals, policies and procedures; performs more highly technical, responsible and professional librarian work; and performs related duties assigned.

This is the advanced journey-level class in the Librarian series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, the amount of time spent performing duties, and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series, including responsibility for managing a large Library or division in a specific program area, such as Collection Development.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives general direction from the Director of Library Services, Assistant Director of Library Services and/or the Library Services Manager. 

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, manage, and direct the day-to-day operations of a large library division; assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement programs and events within assigned library; oversee programs and events for the public.
• Develop library goals, objectives, policies, and procedures in areas of assignment.
• Assume system-wide responsibility for reviewing, evaluating, and selecting materials for addition to or deletion from the library collection.
• Oversee the selection and maintenance of the Library's materials and digital resources such as ebooks and online databases.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for personnel, supplies and equipment, and capital outlay for assigned library; monitor and control expenditures.
• Perform the most difficult professional work in rendering reference and advisory service to readers; perform technical work such as classifying and cataloging materials; assign Dewey numbers as required; review and select materials.
• Assess customer needs, utilizing reference interviews, and advises them in making effective use of library resources and services.
• Direct, schedule, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional, clerical, and technical library personnel and volunteers.
• Assist customers of all ages with reference questions, and provide assistance in the selection of books, audiobooks, magazines, compact discs, DVDs, electronic resources and other library materials; place holds for customers.
• Instruct customers in the use of library tools, including the catalog, computer databases, bibliographic resources, CD-ROM resources, the internet, and indexes.
• Develop collection by reading, reviewing, and selecting materials; review collection to determine additional materials needed and select materials for repair or discard; perform Selector duties, including the preparation of system wide lists in identified subject area.
• Supervise ordering, receiving, and processing of Library materials and encumbered funds.
• Ensure the security of assigned buildings and the safety of patrons and staff.
• Meet with and make presentations to community groups; represent the department to outside groups and organizations; participate in community outreach programs and special Library programs; may attend Library Advisory Board meetings.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Acts as liaison with cooperative libraries, Friends of the Library, and community groups.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible professional experience performing duties comparable to Librarian II with Placer County.

Training: Master's degree in Library Science.

Required License or Certificate: 
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.  

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and philosophy of public library work, including library organization, procedures, library automation, and community engagement and outreach.
• Advanced principles of library cataloging, collection development, reference sources, and complex search techniques.
• A wide variety of books, authors, and collection development resources.
• Advanced knowledge of books, authors, bibliographies, reference material (adult and juvenile), and sources.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and monitoring.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, selection, motivation, training, team building, work evaluation, conflict resolution, discipline, and personnel management.
• The local community and its library needs.
• Management and supervisory principles and techniques. Grant writing, administration, planning, public relations, and report writing. Customer advisory methods and practices.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, and County staff.
• Computer applications in a library environment.
• Safety policies and procedures. 

Ability to:

• Manage day-to-day operations of a large Library or division; apply library policies, procedures, and practices.
• Develop operating policies and procedures related to area of assignment. Perform professional library duties independently.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
• Apply computer knowledge to library applications.
• Select books and other library materials to meet customers' needs.
• Develop and monitor an assigned budget; achieve budget goals within area of responsibility.
• Apply collection development principles, including making selector lists, books and materials selection, and cataloging procedures.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Utilize public library information resources, information access, technology, and services.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; simultaneously handle many tasks and work effectively with interruption.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work weekend or evening shifts as necessary.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• Work in a standard office environment, using standard office equipment and computer systems and attend off-site meetings.  Sit at desk and/or stand for long periods of time. Intermittently bend, twist, reach, grasp, kneel or squat while shelving, opening boxes or moving equipment; see and read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; write and use keyboard to communicate and to enter circulation and collection data; communicate in person and by telephone; file, lift and carry weight up to 50 pounds; push handcart up to 50 pounds.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

Week of 4/17/23 Minimum Qualifications Screening

Week of 4/17/23 Training and Experience Rating

Week of 4/24/23 Eligible List Established

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Tucker, Administrative Technician, at JMTucker@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.