Librarian III

County of Orange; California; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange's OC Public Libraries is hiring a Librarian III to oversee a Tier 3 branch or specialized unit, ensuring high-quality library services to the public. The role involves supervising staff, budgeting, collection development, program planning, community outreach, and collaboration with local stakeholders.

It emphasizes leadership, customer service, and adherence to department goals. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and may benefit from experience with system-wide

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional librarian experience and at least one (1) year in a branch manager role supervising staff.
• Experience leading system-wide initiatives is desirable.
• Strong skills in collection development, customer service, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct a Tier 3 branch library or other specialized unit, ensuring effective operations and responsive library services to the general public.
• Select, train, mentor and review, either directly or through subordinate supervisors, professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer staff.
• Schedule staff and programs to best serve the local community.
• Work with Library Administration to establish short-and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee efficient use of the branch public space, shelving, and service desk.
• Manage branch materials acquisition and collection development, which may include participating in system-wide collection development in order to meet the needs of the communities that OCPL serves.
• Manage branch budget and authorize and monitor expenditures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of library services and use data to make informed decisions and recommendations.
• Plan, prepare, and organize effective publicity materials to promote library programs and services.
• Work with branch Friends of the Library support groups and act as Ex-Officio Board Member; participate in budget planning and expenditure of Friends' revenues.
• Partner and establish relationships with community groups and city officials, promote library services, and develop networks with local stakeholders,
• Serve on a variety of internal OCPL committees established to meet department goals.
• Plan and develop programs to promote library collections to serve the needs of the local community.
• Attend systemwide meetings which are crucial to the information flow from the County to the branch and local community.
• Practice patron de-escalation and enforce library policies.
• Adhere to the County's safety rules and regulations.
• Actively seek out and pursue a variety of professional development opportunities.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations in support of goals, and monitor the results.
• Oversee the library facility by evaluating conditions, identifying safety or maintenance issues, and submitting appropriate service tickets.

Tools

Integrated Library System (ILS)

Job description

LIBRARIAN III

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Librarian III positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

OC PUBLIC LIBRARIES

OC Public Libraries is a network of community libraries located in your neighborhood or as near as your computer. Our 29 public branches in 23 cities and unincorporated areas of the County of Orange, as well as a branch for residents of Orangewood Children's Home provide library services to residents throughout the county. OC Public Libraries provides safe and easy access to libraries for the community, offers a broad spectrum of materials in multiple formats, provides the community with the best access to the collection, and delivers knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced staff to support the information needs of the community. OC Public Libraries is a Division of OC Community Resources (OCCR).

Click here for more information on OC Public Libraries.

Click here for more information on the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Librarian III position oversees, manages and plans the day-to-day operations of a Tier 3 Branch or other specialized unit in OC Public Libraries. Incumbents will supervise and lead library staff and direct all activities within their assigned unit. They ensure that staff provide responsive customer service to patrons. They manage branch personnel and oversee branch budgets, collection development, program planning, community needs assessment/awareness, and public relations. In addition, incumbents contribute to the goals of system-wide planning and program committees often in leadership roles.

Responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage and direct a Tier 3 branch library or other specialized unit, ensuring effective and efficient overall operations, and responsive library services to the general public.
• Select, train, mentor and review, either directly or through subordinate supervisors, professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer staff.
• Schedule staff and programs to best serve the local community.
• Work with Library Administration to establish short-and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee efficient use of the branch public space, shelving, and service desk.
• Manage branch materials acquisition and collection development, which may include participating in system-wide collection development in order to meet the needs of the communities that OCPL serves.
• Manage branch budget and authorize and monitor expenditures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of library services and use data to make informed decisions and recommendations.
• Plan, prepare, and organize effective publicity materials to promote library programs and services.
• Work with branch Friends of the Library support groups and act as Ex-Officio Board Member; participate in budget planning and expenditure of Friends' revenues.
• Partner and establish relationships with community groups and city officials, promote library services, and develop networks with local stakeholders,
• Serve on a variety of internal OCPL committees established to meet department goals.
• Plan and develop programs to promote library collections to serve the needs of the local community.
• Attend systemwide meetings which are crucial to the information flow from the County to the branch and local community.
• Practice patron de-escalation and enforce library policies.
• Adhere to the County's safety rules and regulations.
• Actively seek out and pursue a variety of professional development opportunities.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations in support of goals, and monitor the results.
• Oversee the library facility by evaluating conditions, identifying safety or maintenance issues, and submitting appropriate service tickets.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least three (3) years of professional librarian experience AND at least one (1) year of experience as a library branch manager, including responsibility of supervising, training, and evaluating professional and support staff who provide public services.

While not required, the ideal candidate will also possess experience in leading system-wide initiatives.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Expertise

• Applying principles and modern methods of library science and public business administration include organization, budgetary preparation, and control of branch collections.
• Utilizing computer programs such as Microsoft Suite, library databases, and the integrated library system (ILS).
• Conducting research, maintaining statistical records, completing reports, and effectively using email for business purposes.
• Developing and implementing library programs and services such as Story Times, Book Clubs, Craft Clubs, Film Discussions, Career Workshops, Summer Reading programs, Teen programs, guest speakers, author events, etc.
• Dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives within public programming and collections.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Leading and empowering library staff to deliver effective, high-quality library service.
• Providing library staff and volunteers with training and guidance in the procedures and practices of a public library.
• Evaluating and supervising staff and volunteers; assigning duties, establishing work procedures and schedules, and reviewing the work of subordinate library staff.
• Demonstrating ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Demonstrating ability to work effectively with representatives of outside agencies/department in developing professional relationships.
• Managing day to day operations of library branch.

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills

• Analyzing patron requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
• Maintaining positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library's values, services, accomplishments, and needs to all stakeholders.
• Demonstrating the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services.
• Demonstrating the ability to effectively interact and maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with the public in a variety of complex situations.
• Demonstrating the ability to exercise appropriate judgement in answering questions, resolving problems, and releasing information.
• Successfully handle and resolve complex public service issues.
• Building effective partnerships with local agencies, city officials, and community stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Please click here for details on the Librarian III classification, including the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions.

NOTE:

Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions. For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Jamiee Lang at [e-mail] or [phone].

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.