Librarian I/II - Bilingual Language Skills Preferred (Open and Promotional)

The ideal candidate will have the ability to: 

• Plan, schedule, coordinate, promote, and carry out creative and fresh outreach and programming, including school visits, special events, classes/workshops, story times, public speaking, etc.
• Help navigate difficult situations with compassion, patience, and good humor.
• Inspire children and families from diverse backgrounds, strengthening our communities as a whole.
• Model exemplary and engaging customer care in all interactions--including in person, at programs, at outreach events, and helping with library card or circulation issues. 
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment and contribute to system-wide projects, task forces and committees.
• Establish and strengthen cooperative working relationships with community members, various community services providers, and library staff.
• Skillfully use and troubleshoot emerging technology as a tool to enhance effectiveness, innovation, and efficiency.
• Collaborate and team up with others to share strengths across the organization.
• Have some understanding of theories of infant, child, and adolescent, and adult learning, literacy and brain development, and their implications for public library service.
• Possess a growth mindset and be courageous in trying new strategies, taking risks, and continuously learning.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, coaching, and management of volunteers.
• Communicate effectively and inclusively, with cultural sensitivity and be approachable in verbal, written, and non-verbal communications.
• Use data to visualize, plan and deliver, assess, provide training on, and improve innovative library services that support our system priorities and have measurable results.

The ideal candidate will also have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Library purposes, organization, techniques and procedures.
• Principles of library materials selection and a current understanding of general and/or children’s literature. 
• Composition of the community and its needs.
• General practices and uses of computers, computer information systems, software, maker tools, and digital technology.
• Development of library programs/projects.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative relations with staff, the public and community groups.
• Instructing others in the use of library materials.
• Conducting individual user needs assessments and basic data analysis.

Education: Master of Library Science or recognized equivalent degree, from an American Library Association accredited college or university is required. We also encourage recent graduates, or those expecting to graduate no later than June 2025, to apply.
 
Experience: Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify for a Librarian II is two years librarian experience.
 
Knowledge of:

• Library procedures.
• Principles of a modern library.
• Principles of intellectual freedom.

Skill/Ability to:

• Develop library programs/projects.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with staff, the public and community groups.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Instruct others in the use of library materials.

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score. 

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely matches the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense. 

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.
 
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 11:59 PM PST 
Application Screening: Week of February 17 - 21, 2025
Panel Interviews: March 11 and/or 12, 2025

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. 

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

Salary : $81,411 - $110,968