Assistant Library Administrator

County of Los Angeles; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LA County Library is seeking a highly professional leader to help manage staff, coordinate purchasing activities, and ensure the efficient delivery of library services across multiple facilities.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, budget oversight, and collaboration with regional administrators, vendors, and community partners to advance collection development, programming, and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff.
• Ability to coordinate purchasing activities and budget planning.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with public service focus.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication between libraries and regional administrators to support operations.
• Direct acquisition and cataloging of library materials for wide use.
• Plan and monitor budgets and supervise staff across regions.
• Develop and coordinate youth and adult programs aligned with community needs.
• Engage with officials and partners to promote library services and programs.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Budget management

Vendor liaison

Tools

Cataloging systems

Job description

LA County Library provides services to 3.4 million people over 3,000 square miles. It operates 86 libraries, 4 Cultural Resource Centers, and a mobile fleet consisting of 15 vehicles. This fleet includes 4 Bookmobiles, 6 MakMo's (maker mobiles), 3 Reading Machines (early literacy vehicles), and 2 mobile outreach vehicles.

LA County Library strives to build and keep a skilled and diverse staff where employees’ outstanding qualities are respected and appreciated. This approach helps us address the different needs of the varied customers we serve. The library supports an inclusive environment that encourages cooperation, adaptability, and fairness, allowing everyone to engage fully and contribute their best.

The Team Member We Are Looking For

A highly professional and experienced individual with strong leadership skills to help manage staff, coordinate purchasing activities, and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of library services.

Benefit Information

For details regarding benefits offered by County of Los Angeles, please click here: Benefits

Essential Job Functions

• Facilitate communication between libraries and regional or unit administrators, Public Services Administration, and other Library divisions or units to support effective administration, operational oversight, and coordination of services within a region or department.
• Collaborate with regional or unit administration and other library divisions or units to manage operational and personnel needs for various projects, including renovations, special initiatives, temporary library services, and the opening or closing of library facilities.
• Collaborate with regional or unit administration on all aspects of personnel management, including setting performance expectations, providing coaching, managing leaves and benefits, coordinating training, and addressing other related matters.
• Assist with the selection, training, and supervision of professional, paraprofessional and clerical personnel to support effective staffing and service delivery.
• Ensure staff understanding and compliance with departmental policies and procedures by conducting regular library site visits and maintaining ongoing communication to support consistent library service delivery.
• Engage with local officials, community organizations, and school administrators to promote library services, build strategic partnerships, and foster community support and involvement in library programs and initiatives.
• Direct the acquisition of new, additional and replacement copies of books and periodicals for library-wide use.
• Direct the preparation of selected materials, including bibliographic data and vendor sources; ensures the accuracy of received materials, invoices, and billing statements; and directs staff in tracing missing orders, following up on materials, and coordinating returns for replacement or credit.
• Prepare, recommend and monitor budgets for the sections, and conducts special studies.
• Direct the classification and cataloging of library materials for use throughout the library.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures for library operations and services, including safety and security, personnel management, and the classification, cataloging, processing, and acquisition of library materials.
• Serve as a liaison to vendors and regional partnerships.
• Coordinate updates to the library’s online catalog and web pages, including additions, deletions, and modifications, to ensure accurate and current information is maintained.
• Plan, develop, and coordinate youth services programs and activities, including a system-wide service plan, as well as a variety of activities and programs aligned with seasonal and heritage celebrations, educational initiatives, and special events.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate comprehensive library programs for adults and targeted groups.
• Plan and conduct training sessions and workshops and provides consultative support to regional library personnel on general and specialized library operations and services, including personnel management, safety and security, customer service, and adult programming related to special events and themed speakers.
• Collaborate with the Library Administrator to plan, develop, and coordinate the department’s entire materials collection and to initiate, implement, and maintain collection policies and procedures.
• Direct the analysis of publishing trends, evaluate library materials, and recommend selections that align with service needs and user demands.
• Plan and conduct training workshops on materials collection and monitors and evaluate reports related to materials collection.
• Analyze, recommend, and prepare reports regarding library services, materials collections, personnel, and facilities within a specific geographic area or service program.
• Participate in and lead committees and special projects, as assigned.
• May serve as acting representative for the Library Administrator in their absence to ensure continuity of services, and adherence to departmental procedures.

Requirements

There are three (3) options to qualify:

1. Option I: One year of experience at the level of* County of Los Angeles Libarian V classification** managing a Group I Level*** Public Library.
2. Option II: Two years of experience at the level of* County of Los Angeles Librarian IV classification***** managing a Group II Level****** public library****.
3. Option III: Two years of experience at the level of* County of Los Angeles Librarian IV classification***** coordinating specialized library programs within a region*******.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class II – Light

This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light ligting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirement Information

Required experience and education must be fully met at the time of filing and clearly indicated on the application. No Out-Of-Class or Withholds are allowed for this examination.

• At the level of: You may still qualify even if your job title isn’t exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level, meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
• For a full description of County of Los Angeles Librarian V classification, refer to class specification 8339.
• A Group I Public Library is a high-volume, large-scale public library facility staffed with an average of 21 positions, inclusive of professional librarian and support staff classifications. Library group assignments may vary based on operational needs and are subject to change in accordance with departmental evaluation.
• A public library is a publicly funded and officially recognized institution, established by a government entity or accredited educational institution that provides free and equitable access to informational, educational, cultural, and recreational resources and services for all members of the public within a designated geographical area. Public libraries operate with formal authorization and public accountability, and this definition excludes informal, private, or volunteer-only libraries.
• For a full description of County of Los Angeles Librarian IV classification, refer to class specification 8337.
• A Group II Public Library is a moderately large public library facility staffed with an average of 20 positions, inclusive of professional librarian and support staff classifications. Library group assignments may vary based on operational needs and are subject to change in accordance with departmental evaluation.
• A region is an administrative grouping of multiple public libraries within a defined geographic area.

Veteran's Credit

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for Veteran’s Credit, which can add an additional 10 points to a passing score. To apply, please submit a legible copy of your DD214. You can attach it to your application or email it to [e-mail].

Additional Information

Our Assessment Process: This assessment will consist of a structured oral interview and is worth 100% of your total score.

The Oral Interview Will Assess

• Leadership and Performance Management
• Operational Oversight
• Collection Development, Acquisition, and Technical Services
• Resource Management
• Communication and Community Engagement
• Program Development and Service Delivery

Eligibility Information

Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. Assessment score will be assigned using a standardized scoring system. Applicants must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher to be added to the eligible list. Applicants who pass the assessment will be placed on the eligible list in order of their final score for a period of twelve (12) months.

Vacancy Information

The resulting eligible list will be used to fill vacancies in LA County Library as they occur.

Available Shift

Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, and weekends.

New Email Addresses and Email Security

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address.

Security and notification preferences are managed via governmentjobs.com account.

Social Security Number

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

No Sharing of User ID and Password

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend’s user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Testing Accommodation

If you require accommodation to fairly compete in the assessment process, contact the listed Department Contact to make your request. We require a completed "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" form as well as supporting documentation from a qualified professional justifying the request.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age, ancestry, color, ethnicity, religious creed, disability, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law.

Fair Chance

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. You will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job.