Librarian III- Adult and Neighborhood Services

Job Summary

DEFINITION

Plans, organizes, and implements the day-to-day operations and specialized programs for adult and neighborhood services in the Library system.

SUPERVISION

Works under the administrative supervision of a Principal Librarian who outlines work, monitors work in progress, and reviews completed work. Exercises general or immediate supervision over professional, paraprofessional, technical, and clerical support staff.

Representative Duties

Oversees the day-to-day in-person and virtual operations of adult and neighborhood services for the Library system, including coordination of programs, collections, and services; daily operations of library branches; communication with the public; and delivery of customer service.

Selects, schedules, trains, reviews, and evaluates the work of staff, including librarians, paraprofessional, clerical, and volunteers, engaged in providing adult and neighborhood services system-wide.

Prepares, administers, and monitors the budget for the adult and neighborhood services activities of the Library. Allocates funds and monitors expenditures.

Addresses the needs of the community by planning and engaging in decision-making activities pertaining to library operations and priorities.

Implements and evaluates system-wide adult and neighborhood programming through community engagement and partnerships. Sets goals and priorities for adult and neighborhood services.

Identifies, prepares, implements, and oversees grant requests and other funding sources related to adult and neighborhood services, collections, or programs.

Performs neighborhood outreach and collaborates with community partners to implement system-wide adult and neighborhood programming.

Analyzes data, surveys, and outcomes; maintains records; and prepares a variety of statistical and analytical reports.

Attends and participates in a variety of internal and external meetings, including professional library organizations. Makes public presentations and represents the Library on committees and at various professional meetings on a City, local, and regional level.

Provides input and recommendations on the acquisition and development of adult collections and materials.

Keeps abreast of developments and trends in library services, collection development, programming, technology and related areas. Makes recommendations for changes.

Responds to various inquiries and complaints from the public. Interprets and explains library policies and procedures to staff and patrons.

Assume the duties of the Principal Librarian in his or her absence.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, and procedures of public librarianship

Principles of budget development and management

Principles and methods of conducting research

Principles and practices of supervision, mentorship, leadership, and training

Principles of customer service

Principles of developing and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment

Communication techniques and practices

Principles of programming, readers’ advisory, reference, collection development, and management

Ability to:

Select, coach, mentor, and evaluate employees

Plan, supervise, and coordinate branch operations

Coordinate adult programming and senior services, oversee branch facility usage, and performs community outreach

Develop and conduct staff training programs system-wide

Develop, learn, and implement new procedures and technology

Cultivate partnerships and collaboration opportunities with community organizations and other agencies in order to carry out the Library’s mission and vision

Analyze and solve technical problems, including recommending practical solutions

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Work with individuals and groups of varying levels of technical expertise

Work with persons from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Facilitate and de-escalate difficult or challenging conversations and behaviors

Generate, coordinate, and analyze reports, statistics, data, and program outcomes

Prepare written reports and training manuals

Performs community outreach and presentations to neighborhood associations or other community groups

Delegate work, set priorities and meet deadlines in a demanding environment with constantly shifting priorities

Provide effective customer service

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City

employees, community, neighborhood associations, vendors, contractors and the general public

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university with a master's degree in library science .

Experience: Four years of paid and progressively responsible work experience as a professional librarian. Experience must include planning and developing programs for adults and older adults including conducting outreach and program coordination. At least two of the four years must have included supervising or coordinating the work of others.

License and certificates:

Possession of or the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Desirable Qualifications:

Bilingual skills are desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is regularly performed inside within the environment of the library with some off-site assignments. Incumbent in this position will be required to work evenings and weekends and may be required to work irregular hours and/or report to off-site locations. This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, stepping up on a step stool, shelving, and occasionally lifting of light equipment or library material.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must submit an online City application and required supplemental questions to be considered for this position. Please note , applications may be rejected if incomplete. Résumés, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process and should not be submitted.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college diploma/transcript with your application. Applicants who indicated receipt of degree from a foreign institution must provide United States degree and credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcript. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. You must upload and attach a scanned copy of your transcripts or diploma to your on-line application.

SELECTION PROCESS : All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Testing may consist of the following:

Training & Experience Evaluation - Qualifying
Oral Interview

NOTE:If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS :
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation. The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 12/11/2025 5:30 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• City of Santa Monica

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