Library Specialist

Please note that this classification is currently under review as part of a Library Department wide study and the job classification may be subject to change.

Placer County is a beautiful place to live and work. Stretching from the suburban outskirts of the Sacramento Valley to the mountains of the North Lake Tahoe region, quality of life in Placer County is truly the key to its attractiveness. Recreational prospects abound in the County’s numerous rivers, lakes, state parks and ski resorts. Three vibrant suburban communities offer world-class shopping and dining, cultural activities, and the chance to tee off at one of several championship golf courses. The foothills, home to the world-famous Gold Country, offer well-stocked rivers and tree-lined lakes. This distinctive area gives residents the opportunity to explore the lifestyle of country living with big city convenience while bringing them closer to nature and surrounding them with history.

For more information about living and working in Placer County, please go to: www.visitplacer.com. 

The Placer County Library is hiring three full-time  and one part-time Library Specialists. These positions will perform a variety of specialized and technical paraprofessional library work in support of the County library system and provide various library services to professional library staff and the public. One of the full time positions will be responsible for the specific functional area of Information Systems and Technology Support. All other current vacancies are for the functional area of Library Services. Please see below for specific duties assigned to each of the three functional areas within this classification.

For positions assigned to the functional area of Library Services duties include but are not limited to:

•  Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, train, schedule and review the work of clerical library staff and volunteers.  
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.   
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for circulation at main library; implement policies and procedures.   
• Evaluate operations and activities for assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare reports on operations and activities.
• Use reference interview to assess library patrons’ needs and assist them in understanding and effectively utilizing library services and resources. Perform a variety of work requiring specific knowledge of library practices and procedures.  
• Perform Selector duties relative to reading, researching and making lists of providing recommendations for purchase throughout the County library system; and assist with collection development by making suggestions of new library materials, creating book lists, ordering library materials, weeding, repair and replacement of library materials.

 For positions assigned to the functional area of Library Literacy Services duties include but are not limited to:

• Recruit, enroll, and support tutors and learners of all ages.
• Match assessed learners with tutors.
• Establish and maintain contact with community agencies and businesses that have an interest in adult literacy programs, and respond to related routine questions and concerns of those agencies.
• Collect and analyze data regarding tutor/learner activity; assess effectiveness of training workshops and coordinate with trainers to adjustments where necessary.
• Provide mentoring support to tutors addressing topics such as teaching strategies, supplemental materials, learning disabilities/differences, and behavioral issues.
• Maintain databases for tutor/learner activity and budget expenditures.
• Prepare meeting facilities; transport workshop materials and refreshments to and from meeting sites, and clean up meeting rooms; prepare workshop schedules.
• Promote the library literacy program through various media; create media campaigns/content.

For positions assigned to the functional area of Library Information Systems and Technology Support duties include but are not limited to:

• Prepare long and short-term technology solutions projects requiring statistical research, and organizational, technology, and systems analyses.
• Develop and maintain library websites; manage website development to incorporate new features and functionality; develop and create new website content and keep all website content current and updated regularly; develop, expand, and manage current website designs and lead appropriate redesigns when needed; copy, edit, and proofread all website content; maintain relationships with key team members and County technical support teams; track and report on all website metrics.
• Evaluate user needs; develop and present training on basic computer functions and use, application programs, internet use, and e-mail.
• Assist staff with technical computer questions; create user profiles; assist patrons with computer problems; maintain help desk support.
• Provide operational testing, troubleshooting, instruction, and training to staff using the department’s various proprietary systems, and test possible future systems.

The person in this position will be required to work Saturdays and some evenings.

This recruitment may be used to fill both open and promotional, as well as permanent and extra-help (temporary) vacancies in the Library Department, as they arise.

To learn more about the Library Department click HERE.

To perform paraprofessional library work in support of the County library system and provide various library services to professional library staff and the public; to assist with meeting customers’ information needs for library materials, which include identifying and locating materials and information by researching and interpreting print, on-line and other sources; and to assist with collection development activities.

Library Specialist (Library Assistant II) 

This is the full journey level class within the Library Assistant series.  This class is distinguished from the Library Assistant I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Library Specialist (Library Assistant II)
Receives general supervision from management or professional staff.
May exercise technical supervision over clerical positions, library pages, and volunteers.

• Use reference interview to assess library patrons needs and assist them in understanding and effectively utilizing library services and resources.
• Perform a variety of work requiring specific knowledge of library practices and procedures. 
• Respond by telephone, fax, electronically and in-person to general questions and specific reference inquiries.
• Research and interpret print, on-line and other sources as needed; place holds as requested.
• Perform Selector duties relative to reading, researching and making lists of recommendations for purchase throughout County system; and assist with collection development by making suggestions of new library materials, creating book lists, ordering library materials, weeding, repair and replacement of library materials.
• May process, catalog, and prepare new books and other materials for circulation; establish and maintain collection files and records; conduct and oversee inventories of books and other library materials; maintain bibliographies and create book lists.
• Check books and other materials in and out of library; shelve books and review shelves for mis-shelved materials; weed shelves for outdated or worn materials.
• Compute, collect, receipt and record monies collected for overdue, lost or damaged materials.  
• Act as liaison with cooperative libraries, Friends of the Library, and community groups in absence of Branch Librarian; process interlibrary loan requests.
• Develop, coordinate and conduct various special programs and community outreach activities such as story time, summer reading programs and library tours; provide library customers with information about community resources.
• Operate various library-related equipment, information systems, and general office equipment. 
• Train the public to use and understand information and technology resources.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned.
• May train, schedule and oversee library pages, clerks, and volunteers.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• May secure library materials through inter-library loans; search appropriate databases and identify materials; request materials from appropriate sources, process materials for distribution to customers; respond to requests from other libraries for inter-library loans; may work with inter-library loan representative to obtain materials.
• Attend professional workshops, seminars and conferences.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Working Title: Library Specialist (Library Assistant II)

• Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.
• Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Personnel Department.

Library Assistant I

Knowledge of:

• Standard library practices, techniques and terminology; basic services, policies and procedures associated with a public library.
• Public library collection, including general reference sources and services.
• General procedures involved in receipt, circulation and storage of library materials.
• General library classification and filing systems.
• Computer applications in a library environment.
• Modern office procedures and methods.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations. 
• Principles and practices of training.
• Research and organizational methods and techniques

Ability to:

• Intermittently, review documents related to library operations; observe, identify and problem solve library operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain library policies and procedures.
• Perform specialized clerical and para-professional library work; interpret and apply basic library procedures and policies.
• Use a library automated system, library databases, and the Internet.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer records.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Conduct effective reference interviews to ascertain library customer needs and link them to appropriate resources; understand and carry out a variety of both oral and written instructions; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
• Work in a standard office environment, using standard office equipment and computer systems.  Sit at desk and/or stand for long periods of time. Intermittently bend, twist, reach, grasp, kneel or squat while shelving, opening boxes or moving equipment; see and read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; write and use keyboard to communicate and to enter circulation and collection data; communicate in person and by telephone; file, lift and carry weight up to 50 lbs; push handcart up to 50 lbs.
• Work weekend and evening shifts as assigned.
• Plan, organize and conduct programs and training sessions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Library Specialist (Library Assistant II)

In addition to the qualifications for Library Assistant I:

Knowledge of:

• General policies and procedures of a public Library.
• Collection Development resources.
• Basic principles of lead supervision.
• Basic budget monitoring methods and practices.

Ability to:

• Learn and assist with grant writing, budgeting, administration, planning, management, public relations and report writing.
• Independently provide technical and reference assistance to subordinate library personnel and library customers.
• Independently perform specialized circulation, collection and reference duties.
• Train, assign, review and evaluate work of subordinate personnel and volunteers.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

11/17/2017: Minimum Qualifications Screening and Conviction Questionnaires Sent

11/20/2017: Conviction Questionnaire Responses Due

Week of 11/20/17: Eligible List Established