Librarian III

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 1 - Library Unit

Why join the Contra Costa County Library?

Contra Costa County's Library Department is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a vacancy in the Librarian III classification. The current vacancy is in our Cataloging workgroup within Library Administration, but the eligible list may be used for any other Librarian III vacancies in the system.

Please note: The Library Department currently has one (1) vacancy for Librarian III that requires bilingual proficiency in Chinese. Candidates for this position must be able to read, write, and speak Chinese proficiently and must pass a bilingual proficiency examination before and after appointment. A salary differential of $200 a month will be paid to employees who have passed the proficiency examinations for this position.
The Library is made up of nearly 440 employees serving 26 communities throughout Contra Costa County. Its mission is to “Bring People and Ideas Together.” The Library seeks to enrich lives by delivering a consistent, high-quality, and inviting experience at all points of contact.

It is an innovative, entrepreneurial, and dynamic civic institution that is committed to providing exceptional services to its communities. The Library assumes critical roles in making communities strong, equitable, resilient, and progressive.

The Library’s core goal is to champion personal and community engagement through literacy and reading. It has implemented several programs to ensure easy, equitable access to library services for all. This was exemplified by the Library saying “Farewell to Fines” at the beginning of 2019! By promoting library services and programs to the community, we meet our mission of “Bringing People and Ideas Together.”

We are looking for someone who is:

• An emotionally intelligent communicator and collaborator able to productively navigate the highs and lows of interpersonal relationships
• Able to employ cultural humility, cultural sensitivity, and adapt behavior appropriately to increase equitable access to programs and services
• Supportive of staff achievements and leads with enthusiasm
• Able to set clear performance expectations and provide coaching to support staff success
• Passionate about aligning their work with the Library's strategic goals
• Unwavering in their commitment to excellent customer service
• Innovative and results-driven
• Supportive of the Library’s efforts to provide equitable service to its patrons
• Able to thrive in an ever-changing environment

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Direct supervision over an assigned unit or work area
• Collaborating with other departmental staff to provide an integrated program of library service
• Supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff
• Helping foster and create a pleasant, respectful, and welcoming environment
• Planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating departmentally approved projects and programs for various age groups and technologies
• Giving presentations, conducting story time, and providing reader’s advisory services, instructing patrons on the use of library services
• Working on the public service desk
• Compiling and analyzing statistics and preparing reports of unit activities and operations
• Keeping current with, and providing recommendations on emerging trends and technologies
• Developing and providing solutions for staff training

For Cataloging Workgroup:

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating cataloging practices and procedures and ensuring alignment with CCCL policies, values, and strategic focus
• Creating and editing Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) records for library materials. Verifying access points, analyzing content, applying appropriate subject headings, and classifying materials as needed in accordance with applicable standards and software (RDA, MARC2, OCLC).
• Ensuring that bibliographic control activities result in maximum retrieval with minimum user effort
• Verifying, downloading, updating, and exporting data and reports into various library-specific databases, including the integrated library system (ILS), online public access catalog (OPAC), and applicable discovery layers.

• Contributing to ILS cleanup and maintenance and assisting with troubleshooting of third-party APIs as related to cataloging data
• Knowledge of LOC classification rules, subject headings, and naming conventions

• Preparing and retrieving data for the cataloging department and related CCCL system statistics and reports.
• Familiarity with FileZilla and MarcEdit software.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have continuous learning opportunities and ongoing training
• You will have imaginative opportunities for mentorship
• You will have career growth and upward mobility within the department
• You will work in a supportive and respectful working environment that values work-life balance

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be faced with evening and shift work according to established or flexible schedules
• You will be required to be available to travel to various branches or outlets throughout the County
• You will be required to adapt to ever-changing technology

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr . The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for 6 months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) or a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from a school of librarianship accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time, or its equivalent, as a professional librarian.

Substitution for Education: Two (2) additional years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience as a Librarian II with Contra Costa County, or in a related position performing similar duties, AND possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required Master’s Degree.

Other Requirements: Some positions may require candidates to possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A passion for public service
• Knowledge of and experience with general management practices, supervision, public speaking, and training
• Experience with initiatives related to closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices
• A Master’sDegree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or a Master’s Degree in Library Science (MLS) is highly desirable

Selection Process

• Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
  
• Online Video Interview Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online video interview. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Librarian III classification. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Professional Integrity & Ethics, Decision Making, Building & Maintaining Relationships, and Valuing Diversity.
  
  The Librarian III online assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) 8/14 - 8/18
  
  The video assessment will be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment, as well as a computer with a camera.
  
  The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
  

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Lashun Fuller at Lashun.Fuller@hrd.cccounty.us .
For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

925-655-2100 Show more