Library Aide, Part-Time (Continuous)

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oakland’s Oakland Public Library invites applicants to join as a front-line library team member. You will help patrons, shelve materials, and support programs across branches, contributing to inclusive, welcoming service in a diverse community.

We value customer focus, organization, technical comfort, teamwork, and the ability to work across multiple locations. A bilingual edge is encouraged; this front-desk role supports daily operations and public services in the City of Oakland.

Qualifications

• Experience with youth ages 0–18 is desirable.
• Excellent customer service to the public.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin are a plus.
• Ability to drive City vehicles (if assigned).
• Familiarity with the Oakland Tool Lending Library system.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with check-in/out and patron accounts.
• Shelving library materials in the correct order.
• Assisting with processing library materials for checkout.
• Helping sort and organize incoming library materials.

Skills

Customer service

Organized

Tech-savvy

Team player

Physical stamina

Diversity-friendly

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Driver's license

Tool Lending Library knowledge

Job description

The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the Oakland Public Library in the City of Oakland?

Oakland Public Library (OPL) empowers all people to explore, connect and grow. Through our eighteen (18) branches over three-hundred dedicated employees serve multiple communities located within the City of Oakland, Piedmont, and Emeryville. OPL is an indispensable partner in transforming lives through robust equity and diversity initiatives, responsive services, and unique programming adapted to serve the needs of a multifaceted community. We champion a future filled with joy for all people, and our staff actively engages and works in conjunction with various community partners to envision, develop and promote our evolving services.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Customer Service Focused. You enjoy helping others and are committed to making sure every patron feels welcomed, valued, and supported.
• Organized and Detail Oriented. You keep track of details, stay organized, and take pride in making sure your work is accurate and complete.
• Technologically Savvy. You feel comfortable learning and working with electronic hardware and multiple software applications.
• A Team Player. You support and contribute to ongoing library programs, offering helpful assistance whenever it's needed.
• Hands-On. You stay active and on your feet all day, confidently using your strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination as you shelve, move, lift, and take on a variety of physical tasks with energy and positivity.
• Comfortable with a diverse staff and public. You confidently serve a large and diverse community, engaging with people who have broad and varied needs.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Supporting Oakland Public Library Staff with ongoing programs, including arranging and setting up of library materials and promotional displays.
• Checking in and checking out library materials at the front desk; updating patron records; opening new library accounts; explaining library policies and procedures; assisting patrons with public use computers, printers, and scanners, and answering routine questions over the phone, via email, and in person.
• Shelving books and other library materials in the correct order.
• Assisting with processing library materials so they are ready to be checked out by the public.
• Helping sort and organize incoming library materials.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your work will serve the needs of diverse populations of the Oakland community and beyond.
• You will have the opportunity to work both independently and with the public to forward the OPL vision of inclusive community engagement.
• This position is ideal for a self-starter who maintains positive relationships and enjoys supporting co-workers in providing excellent customer service, facilitating library programs, and performing outreach to the Oakland community.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will interact with a variety of patrons from differing backgrounds and various socio-economic statuses who have unique and various needs.
• You will work in multiple locations, and each location may organize library materials differently.
• You will need to be attentive and precise with work products, noticing minor details and avoiding errors.

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required languages(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable:

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

None required.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth ages 0-18.
• Experience in providing excellent customer service to the public.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin.
• Ability to drive City vehicles (for Delivery & Sorting Department).
• Familiarity with tools and the Oakland Tool Lending Library system.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Driver's License will be required if assigned to drive the City vehicle (Bookmobile). Proficiency in a foreign language may be required.

The Recruitment Process:

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Oakland Public Library (OPL) for further consideration.

Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All Employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Woker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.