Regional Senior Librarian

County of Ventura, CA; Montalvo (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Ventura is seeking a Senior City Librarian to oversee the Ventura E. Foster Library and multiple branches, guiding public library services and staff in a large urban district.

The role involves strategic direction, policy implementation, and external collaboration with City officials and community partners. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, change management, and a customer-focused vision, with a background in library administration and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive education, training and/or experience in library branch management and/or library administration.
• An example of qualifying education training and experience is a master's degree in library science AND three (3) years of professional experience in public service libraries.

Responsibilities

• Manages a large library branch and oversees the operation of several smaller branches.
• Participates in setting branch library goals, objectives, and policy; collaborates with City staff in planning and development of programs and services.
• Supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff; schedules, trains and evaluates staff.
• Answers questions from staff, patrons, and community members.
• Oversees maintenance of building and grounds; coordinates vendors and repairs; monitors janitorial and grounds work.
• Interprets library policies to the public; makes presentations to City officials and community groups.

Skills

Leadership

Change leadership

Team building

Communication

Strategic planning

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in library science

Three years of professional experience in public service libraries

Tools

Library automation

Job description

This position supervises and coordinates the activities, facilities, and operations of an assigned library region, including reference and patron services, circulation activities and facility maintenance needs. Provides complex staff assistance to the Librarian Manager.

The person selected for this position will act as a branch manager for a large regional library, oversee smaller branches in the library system, and will have significant supervisory responsibility over several different Library classifications.

This senior member of the library management team will play an integral part in the overall strategic direction of the library.

The current vacancy is a full-time regular position at the Ventura E.P. Foster Library in the city of Ventura. Work is primarily performed in a Library environment, but the incumbent is required to meet off site with staff or other governmental organizations, community leaders, and the public. Work performed includes evenings, weekends, and/or irregular hours.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience specifically in the exploration, innovation, development and delivery of excellent library services, in a welcoming service environment, through community and staff engagement; have an in depth knowledge of change leadership; possess exceptional team building, organizational, planning, analytical/problem solving, interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills; and model respect, empathy, tact, discretion, and diplomacy while systematically building library support through diverse community constituents.

PAYROLL TITLE

Senior City Librarian

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE

Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

Senior City Librarian is a Management classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Opening Date: Thursday, August 06, 2026

Closing Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Review of applications

Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis beginning the week of August 17, 2026.

• Manages a large library branch and oversees the operation of several smaller branches;
• Participates in setting branch library goals, objectives, and policy; collaborates with City Staff in the planning and development of programs and services within the branch library; implements policies, procedures, and work standards for the branch library;
• Supervises the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff; schedule, train, and evaluates staff;
• Answers questions from staff, patrons, and community members;
• Oversees maintenance of building and grounds for the library branch; calls for and schedules vendors or other workers; sees that repairs are correctly carried out; monitors the work of janitorial and grounds maintenance workers;
• Interprets library policies effectively to the public;
• Makes presentations to City officials, government entities, community organizations, staff, and the public;
• Works closely with the Friends of the Library on fundraising and other activities to improve library service;
• Interviews and recommends the appointment of personnel, provides or coordinates staff training;
• Acts autonomously in the development of relationships with and represents the Agency to City government and other community organizations such as Friends of the Library, schools, and service clubs;
• Oversees branch library cash receipts, sets procedures for the accurate recording of receipts, and the security of these;
• Recruits and supervises branch library volunteers;
• Evaluates community needs; develops specialized programs, plans and conducts outreach and special interest programs to encourage library usage;
• Coordinates acquisition, circulation, distribution, and care and preservation of library materials; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Comprehensive education, training and/or experience in library branch management and/or library administration which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

An example of qualifying education training and experience is a master's degree in library science AND three (3) years of professional experience in public service libraries.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Considerable experience in staff development and in leading a team.
• Demonstrated skill in managing multiple branches, coordinating with staff, ensuring consistent services and running operations.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Work is primarily performed in a Library environment, but the incumbent may be required to meet off site with staff or other governmental organizations, community leaders, and the public. May be required to work weekends and evenings, and/or irregular hours.

DESIRED

• Experience with grant management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of:

• Library methods, techniques and procedures;
• Laws and regulations relating to library operations;
• Administrative methods and techniques;
• Library automation; audiovisual materials and methods;
• General management practices;
• Supervision and training;
• Professional reference tools, collection development and maintenance;
• Public relations;
• Fiscal planning including grant management.

Working skills to:

• Assume leadership and apply creativity in the formulation of needed changes in methods and procedures;
• Develop and maintain relevant collections and programs;
• Manage multiple branches, coordinate with staff, ensure consistent services, and run operations;
• Evaluate community needs and develop methods for providing library services;
• Plan and organize services;
• Exercise effective interpersonal skills in dealing with subordinates, city staff, community and business leaders, and the public;
• Promote community participation and enthusiasm in library services;
• Demonstrate a strong customer experience orientation;
• Develop community support;
• Make presentations before groups instruct, train, supervise and evaluate professional, technical and clerical staff;
• Understand the diverse needs of a multi-cultural community for library services.

FINAL FILING DATE

Applications must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Esmeralda Oseguera by email at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone].