Generalist II

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boston's Boston Public Library is seeking a Generalist II to execute the library’s programs for a diverse urban population. Under supervision, you will apply substantial professional knowledge and experience to deliver services and programming.

You will collaborate with branch staff to plan outreach, provide readers’ advisory, teach patrons how to access databases, manage collections budgets, and contribute to community engagement across ages and groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university; master’s in library science preferred or substituted by exceptional experience.
• Two (2) years of professional library experience or equivalent combination.
• Broad knowledge of library policies, practices, and procedures; bibliographic tools and sources.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct programming for diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Initiates, develops, plans, and implements the Library’s programs of service to adults, young adults, and children.
• Develops community relationships and implements activities to engage the neighborhood and local agencies.
• Plans and conducts programming for the general public in keeping with branch responsibilities.
• Works with branch staff to deploy outreach services for all ages and local service populations.
• Provides readers’ advisory services and reference work for the general public.
• Instructs patrons in using books and electronic databases.
• Manages program funds and assigned book collections budgets.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Internet/searching

Community outreach

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s in library science

Job description

Posting number: 2026-00145

Department: Boston Public Library

Job classification: Generalist II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Library

Summary

Under supervision and within the framework of the Library policies and practices, assume responsibility for the effective execution of the Library’s programs of service to a diverse population characteristic of an urban setting and to perform professional work requiring the application of substantial professional knowledge and experience.

Reports to:

Branch Librarian or ranking staff member.

Supervises:

As assigned, professional and non-professional staff members.

Examples of duties

• Initiates, develops, plans, and implements the Library’s programs of service to adults, young adults, and children as assigned through personal consultations, reference and readers’ advisory services, outreach, and programs.
• Develops interactive relationships within a defined neighborhood and implements activities to stimulate use of the Library’s resources by the community and local service agencies and organizations.
• Plans and conducts comprehensive programming for assigned segments of the general public in keeping with the programming responsibilities found in other P2 branch positions.
• Works with administrators and staff at the branch to develop, deploy, and support outreach services for all ages and to identify service populations in the neighborhood.
• Performs readers’ advisory services and difficult or involved reference work for the general public.
• Provides instruction to increase patrons’ skills in the use of book resources and electronic databases.
• Manages program funds as assigned.
• Responsible for the development of assigned book collections and managing the appropriate materials budget.
• Compiles annotated lists and bibliographies involving book and non-book materials.
• Recommends and/or plans changes in service or new services.
• Responsible for oral presentations and written reports on assigned activities within the branch library.
• Assists in training professional and non-professional staff.
• May be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the branch in the absence of the Branch Librarian or other ranking staff member.
• Actively participates in system-wide committees, training, and other professional activities.
• May be called upon to represent the Library on city-wide and state-wide committees.
• Performs other related and/or comparable duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university. A master’s degree in library science from an accredited library school. In exceptional instances, specialized education, training, and/or experience may be substituted for part or all of the educational requirements.
• Two (2) years of pertinent professional library experience or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training sufficient to indicate ability to do the work.
• Broad knowledge of Library policies, practices, and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of popular book and non-book materials, including bibliographic tools and sources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the techniques of programming.
• Demonstrated interest in community and library work.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to develop strong, interactive community relationships.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to assume responsibility and to carry out assignments independently.
• Proven oral and written communication skills as well as Internet and other electronic database searching experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with staff and the public; initiative, dependability, good judgment, tact, and courtesy.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

CORI & SORI CHECKS REQUIRED

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: PSA/P-2
Hours per week: 35