Librarian I/ II

The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) consists of more than 600 employees, a 23% bilingual workforce, and has 24 branch libraries across San José, in addition to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is the city’s main library jointly operated through a unique partnership with San José State University. SJPL serves a diverse community of roughly one-million residents and currently has nearly 700,000 library members. It annually attracts over 6 million visitors (pre-pandemic) and circulates more than 8 million items per year.

Over the past few years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core. In addition to providing library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the SJ Access digital equity initiative, which has become the number one provider of free public access to Wi-Fi connectivity, tech device lending, and multi-lingual digital literacy programs and support. SJPL is led by Jill Bourne, City Librarian, who was nationally recognized in 2017 as Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.”

The San Jose Public Library has one (1) Librarian I/II Full-Time and two (2) Librarian I/II Part-Time benefited positions to fill with this recruitment. These Part-time benefited positions will be scheduled to work 20 hours per week. The schedule will consist of some evening shifts, a Saturday rotation, and a Sunday rotation.

The San José Public Library is seeking new Librarians to join our team and change the lives of those we serve! The ideal candidate for these positions will understand, support, practice and promote the Mission, Vision, & Values statements of the City of San José and the San José Public Library; demonstrate leadership and a commitment to active customer service; understand and be committed to the principles of intellectual freedom and access to a vast array of ideas and information; have knowledge of current library technology and trends; have experience working with a diverse community and staff; and have programming or project management ability.

We are looking for friendly, customer service-oriented librarians who have experience working in a fast-paced environment and thrive in a highly collaborative setting. Our librarians perform a variety of professional duties that include programming for all ages, story time, innovative school and community engagement programs, outreach, coding and STEAM programming, and volunteer engagement. All our staff are trained in providing excellent customer service. Bilingual skills preferred.

Classification Salary Ranges:

Librarian I: $44.86 to $54.54 paid hourly or $46,650.24 to $56,718.48 paid annually for part-time benefited positions

Librarian I: $44.86 to $54.54 paid hourly $93,300.48 to $113,436.96 paid annually for full-time positions.

Librarian II: $49.35 to $60.03 paid hourly or $51,324 to $62,429.64 paid annually for part-time benefited positions.

Librarian II: $49.35 to $60.03 paid hourly $102,648.00t o $124,859.28 paid annually for full-time positions.

This salary amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Note: If you are currently a part-time unbenefited or part-time benefited San José Public Library employee seeking full time employment, you must apply to be considered for any potential future opportunities. We may use this candidate pool to fill future positions. 

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in different locations in the City of San Jose. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. 

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

You must answer all the job-specific questions to be considered for this position. Submission of a resume is optional. However, submission of a resume in lieu of completing the education and work experience sections on the application and failing to answer all the questions may constitute an incomplete application and it will be withheld from further consideration.

If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Irina Orozco at Irina.Orozco@sanjoseca.gov. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. 

Continuous Improvement – Actively identifies new areas for learning and regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities.

Customer Service – Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Initiative– Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Planning – Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Technology Use/Management – Uses efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace and improve program effectiveness.

Communications Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Salary : $46,650 - $124,859