DescriptionUnder general supervision, performs professional library work involving reference assistance, readers' advisory, public contact and program coordination.
THE POSITION: Ventura County Library is committed to lifelong learning as well as building partnerships with agencies serving marginalized communities. This position is responsible for providing library services to incarcerated youth and young adults at the Juvenile Facilities in a two-year pilot project that began on July 1, 2025. The facility is a modern detention and commitment complex located in the unincorporated area of Ventura County near the community of El Rio, serving incarcerated youth and young adults, ages 12 to 24. More information about Juvenile Facility can be found on the Ventura County Probation Agency website: Ventura County Probation Agency Website
Distinguishing Characteristics: Positions in this class perform journey level work providing professional library services.
PAYROLL TITLE: Librarian
EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.
Librarian is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis beginning the week of July 28, 2025.
Examples Of DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Schedules and conducts programming to follow recommendations by the Probation Agency, based on the needs, interests, and availability of incarcerated youth and young adults, as outlined in Juvenile Title 15 Minimum Standards and best practices identified by the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Programs.
- Oversees daily operations and acts as a librarian in charge of the on-site library space to ensure effective library services, and supervision of library support staff and volunteers.
- Selection, cataloguing, processing, and maintenance of the collection and materials.
- Provides librarian services including reference, reader's advisory, educational support, research and literature appreciation.
- Creates partnerships to ensure the needs are met for incarcerated youth and young adults.
- Maintains records, collects statistics and submits regular reports.
- Collaborates with Probation Agency staff, library leadership and external partners to support library goals.
- Participates in training and professional development to enhance library services.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Typical QualificationsThese are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:Comprehensive experience in library operations which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities which can also be obtained by the equivalent to completion of a Master's degree in library service.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: - Must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends
- Knowledge of library terminology, practices, policies and procedures
- Must be able to pass background check and security clearance to work in the detention facility
- Must adhere to terms of the contract and policies of Ventura County Probation Agency
DESIRED: - A Master's degree in Library Science
- Bilingual Skills (English/Spanish)
- Professional work experience in a library program
- Works well with diverse population
- Works independently and exhibits maturity and good judgment
- Deals with people in a manner that shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
- Experience using Microsoft Office and Canva
- Understanding of the organization of library materials
- Experience working in law enforcement, jails or the courts
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of:
- Library methods, techniques and procedures
- Library automation, audiovisual materials and methods
- Basic reference methods
- Principles and techniques used in bibliographic research
- Best practices in education for incarcerated youth and young adults
Ability to:
- Work effectively with high-risk diverse populations in a criminal justice setting
- Work independently
- Exhibit maturity, and good judgement dealing with people that shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Canva
Recruitment Process FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply online, please refer to our website at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.
Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration. It is highly recommended that the supplemental questions withing the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is not a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. If the T&E replaces the oral exam, candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
ELIGIBLE LIST Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular, (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help
for this and similar vacancies within the Ventura County Library Services.
There is currently one (1) Regular Fixed-Term vacancy with Library Services. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position
. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Esmeralda Oseguera by email to Esmeralda.Oseguera@ventura.org to by telephone at (805) 477-7268.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEEService Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)(SEIU)To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.
- Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
- Retirement FAQ's
- Memorandum of Agreement
Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS
Closing Date/Time: Continuous