The PositionThe 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 Cities 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 will attend to the needs and expectations of patrons.
- Organized and detail oriented. You will focus on the fine details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
- Technologically savvy. You will be comfortable learning and working with electronic hardware and multiple software applications.
- A team player. You will provide general assistance to ongoing library programs.
- Hands-on. You be on your feet all day, utilizing strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination in daily shelving, moving, lifting, and other physical duties.
- Comfortable with a diverse staff and public. You will be comfortable serving a large, diverse population, with broad and different needs.
What you will typically be responsible for: - Supporting Oakland Public Library staff with ongoing programs, including arranging and set-up of library materials and promotions.
- Checking-in/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.
- Placing books and other library materials on shelves in the correct order.
- Assisting with processing library materials to be checked out by the public.
- Assisting with sorting and placement of incoming library materials.
Read the complete job description by clicking here .
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:- Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information.
- Manual Dexterity: Using senses, hands, and fingers in manipulating objects quickly and efficiently.
- Mathematical Facility: Performing routine computations utilizing point-of-sale (POS) transactions.
- Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
- Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work.
- Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
- Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace.
- Following Directions: Understand oral instructions and implement procedures in organizing materials or information as directed.
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
- Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
- General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
- Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.
- Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
* Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland! Working for the City of Oakland
Minimum Requirements for ApplicationAny combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education:Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:None required.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements:Possession of a valid California Driver's License will be required if assigned to drive the Bookmobile.
Proficiency in a foreign language may be 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
Supplemental InformationThe 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 for further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
What’s in it for you? - Work/Life Balance: Flexible part-time schedule with the ability to pick up open shifts
- 15 observed (not paid) holidays
- Health & Welfare Premium: The City of Oakland pays a health and welfare premium of two dollars and ninety cents ($2.90) per hour in addition to the hourly rate of pay for the employee’s classification for each hour worked
- Sick leave: Part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on hours worked
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan
- Other benefits include a Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Training
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.The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
How to ApplyApply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm .
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Due to current events and pandemic-related safety concerns, City facilities may be closed to the public.Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Closing Date/Time: 6/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific