Assistant Library Technician

City of Santa Maria; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,617,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Santa Maria is hiring Assistant Library Technicians for the Guadalupe and Orcutt Branch Libraries. The role is a limited-service position (up to 19 hours per week) with no benefits and evening/weekend shifts as required.

The incumbent provides individualized customer service, helps patrons access resources, and supports programs and Homework Center activities. Prior library experience and a student or associate degree holder are preferred.

Qualifications

• Previous library experience is preferred.
• Currently enrolled in college/university or graduated with an associate’s degree or higher.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• Desired: experience using online library catalogs and electronic resources.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Familiarity with library cataloging systems and basic public service knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist the public with selecting and locating collection items and information needs.
• Provide basic instruction on using library resources such as the computer and copier.
• Assist children with studying and homework in the Homework Center.
• Respond to telephone inquiries and manage study room requests; conduct tours and programming.
• Shelve materials and maintain in-house databases and files.
• Perform front desk and cashiering duties, including loans, interlibrary loans, fines, and printing payments.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Associate degree or higher

Tools

Library catalogs

Job description

This recruitment is to fill a vacancy at the Guadalupe Branch Library and a vacancy at the Orcutt Branch Library.

First Consideration of Applications

September 16, 2026

Second Consideration of Applications

September 28, 2026

Under the general direction of the assigned supervisor, performs primarily service-oriented tasks at the Guadalupe or Orcutt Branch Libraries. Works evening and weekend shifts as required. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification.

The Assistant Library Technician position is an Individual Contributor role that provides individualized customer service, programming, and access to resources and information. Their role enables the community to explore and use free and accessible resources to build knowledge for a better life.

NOTE This is a limited-service position (up to 19 hours per week) and is not benefits-eligible.

Required Submittals

• Online Application
• Current Resume

These duties are representative examples; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. The scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the Department Director.

This position

• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Assists the public with selecting and locating collection items and with information needs, including obtaining a library card, circulating materials, accessing e-materials, using the catalog, and providing basic instruction on using library resources, such as the computer and copier.
• Assists children with studying and completing homework assignments, oversees daily homework activities in the Homework Center.
• Responds to telephone inquiries, handles requests for study room use, keeps and reports use statistics, and conducts library tours and programming.
• Shelves materials and maintains in-house databases and files.
• Performs front desk and cashiering duties, including checking materials in and out, managing interlibrary loans, handling overdue materials, processing fines for late fees, and collecting payments for printing,
• Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Other duties

• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience working in a library; and
• Currently enrolled college/university student or have graduated from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree or higher.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above.
• Desired:
  • Experience using online library catalogs and electronic resources.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Working knowledge of basic principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the assigned area of work, with the ability to apply this knowledge under guidance and supervision, including:
  • Public library role and municipal operations;
  • Library cataloging systems.
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
  • Effective use of computer and other office/library equipment.
• Possession of a valid and appropriate driver's license. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.
• Mastery of the core competencies listed below and the ability to immediately demonstrate them.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.
• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.) and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

In addition to your completed application, a current resume is required as part of the application process. If a resume is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. The completed electronic application packet will include the online application, supplemental questions, and electronic attachment of a resume. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment will be certified to an eligibility list. The candidates' final score and rank will be determined by their complete application packet, upon meeting the employment standards of the position. The Hiring Department will then select and interview those candidates from the eligibility list whose qualifications most closely align with the Department's specific needs. The first consideration of applications will take place on September 16, 2026. Should a vacancy remain after the first consideration of applications, a second consideration will take place on September 28, 2026.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a Live Scan. Library employees are required to follow both City and Library policies. As a condition of employment, Library employees must maintain their library accounts in good standing. Library accounts will be verified before an offer of employment is made.

The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. Completion of a pre-employment physical to the satisfaction of the City may be required. Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.