Senior Librarian

City of Chula Vista, CA; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance up to $5,000

Employee Referral Program: 16 hours of

Employee Referral Program: up to $3,0

Job summary

City of Chula Vista, CA seeks a Senior Librarian to lead a branch or division, focusing on administration and operations management. The role covers budgeting, policy development, staff supervision, and service excellence to the community.

The position requires overseeing daily operations, staff training, evaluations, and representing the library with external partners and City Council. Evening/weekend availability may be required.

Qualifications

• MLS degree from an American Library Association-accredited program with four years of paid professional library experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Alternative: MA or MS in library-related field with five years of paid professional library experience, including two years supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of a library facility and ensure a safe, healthy environment for community and staff.
• Manage staff scheduling to ensure shifts are fully staffed.
• Reconcile daily cash receipts as required.
• Supervise staff and oversee workload delegation; participate in staff selection.
• Develop and coordinate staff training.
• Conduct performance evaluations.
• Represent the library to internal and external customers and agencies.
• Establish collaborative relationships with related organizations and school districts.
• Make presentations to staff, community, and City Council.
• Prepare reports and correspondence.
• Assist in budget development and monitor expenditures; participate in long-range planning.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Communication

Policy development

Staff training

Data analysis

Education

Masters Degree in Library Science

Master of Arts or Science degree

Job description

Relocation Allowance

Newly hired employees in this position may receive up to a $5,000 relocation allowance for expenses incurred in relocating the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County. Eligible expenses must qualify as deductible moving expenses under IRS guidelines.

Employee Referral Program

Additionally, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program. Eligible employees that make a successful referral will receive either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000.

Salary Adjustment

This position is scheduled to receive a 5% salary adjustment the first full pay period of January 2027.

Position Description

To perform the more difficult professional library and administrative work for a designated division or Library; and to perform related work. The Senior Librarian is a highly responsible middle management position in the professional Librarian series. This position is distinguished from the Librarian III position by its focus on the administration and operations management of a branch or library division.

Essential Functions

• oversee daily operations of a library facility to ensure a safe, healthy environment for community and employees;
• manage staff scheduling to ensure shifts are fully staffed;
• ensure daily cash receipts are reconciled as required;
• supervise staff and oversee the delegation of workload, participate in and recommend the selection of staff;
• develop and coordinate staff training;
• conduct performance evaluations;
• recommend and implement progressive discipline as directed;
• supervise the maintenance of records and statistics;
• respond to inquiries from employees and the public;
• provide information in a timely and efficient manner;
• resolve complaints as necessary;
• conduct and coordinate work studies, financial studies and other special studies as required;
• represent the library to internal and external customers and outside agencies and serve on various internal and external committees as required;
• establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with related organizations, school districts, and private industry;
• make presentations to staff, the community, outside agencies and City Council as required;
• analyze requests for information and interprets requests with respect to resources;
• apply knowledge of specialized information resources to satisfy requests for information;
• manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for system-wide areas of responsibility;
• recommend and administer policies and procedures;
• assist in the preparation of the budget in assigned area and monitor budget expenditures;
• assist in the development of long-range plans, program development and new services;
• respond to inquiries from employees and the public;
• provide information in a timely and efficient manner;
• resolve complaints as necessary;
• prepare reports and correspondence;
• build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service;
• perform other related duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• (1) Masters Degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association and four years of paid professional library experience, including two years of supervisory experience; OR
• (2) Master of Arts or Science degree and five years of paid professional experience in a library, including two years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: American Library Association guidelines that apply to practices and procedures of public libraries; principles and practices of assigning and reviewing the work of others, supervision, training and performance evaluation; effective work management and organization methods; principles and practices of research, analysis, data compilation and effective report writing; customer service and conflict resolution techniques; methods of data generation, data collection and data reporting; pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations, and library rules and policies and procedures; computer equipment and software applications related to area of assignment; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Ability to: Oversee and be responsible for division services in branch libraries where applicable; develop policies and make recommendations on policy; work independently within broad parameters; make sound, independent decisions within scope of position; promote effective working relationships within the division and with all levels of staff, other City employees and the general public; collect, compile and analyze complex information; interpret, explain and apply pertinent Federal, State and local laws, and library rules, and policy and procedures; interpret, explain and apply human resources policies and procedures and make recommendations on a variety of personnel issues; analyze and resolve problems; prepare clear and concise reports of varying complexity; prepare and administer budgets; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; speak effectively before public gatherings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach while retrieving and/or returning library books and materials; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and use a keyboard to communicate through written means, review information and enter/retrieve data; see and read characters on computer screen; and lift light weight weighing up to 10 pounds. Work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required within the branch library and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying branch libraries, or when attending meetings. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquires. Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.