Deputy County Librarian

Library•Fremont, CA

19h

About The Position

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION . The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. Supplemental Questionnaire : A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE. DESCRIPTION Alameda County Library is a values-driven public institution recognized by the community and professional organizations for advancing equity, inclusion, access, and high-quality public service. The Library is deeply committed to serving the diverse communities of Alameda County and to ensuring that library services, spaces, and programs reflect the needs, histories, and aspirations of all residents. THE AGENCY The Alameda County Library provides library services from ten libraries in the cities of Albany, Dublin, Fremont, Newark, and Union City and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. The Alameda County Library also provides additional services through Mobile and Outreach Services, Education and Literacy Services, and Social Justice Services. The County Library was established in 1910 and is governed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The Alameda County Library Advisory Commission advises County Librarian, Cynthia Chadwick, and the Board of Supervisors on library services. The County Library is funded primarily by local property taxes, with additional revenue from State grants and contracts with cities for additional open hours and services. The Board of Supervisors allocates a portion of utility users and business license tax which is collected only in the unincorporated areas of the County to the Library for service to the unincorporated areas. The Alameda County Library Foundation and active Friends of the Library or Library League groups in each community support library programs and services. To learn more about the Alameda County Library, please visit their website at HERE THE POSITION Under administrative direction, assists the County Librarian in the administration, supervision, planning, budgeting, evaluation and advocacy of Library Public Services; coordinates public services with administrative and support services; acts as department head in the absence of the County Librarian, and performs related work as required. This is a single position which reports directly to the County Librarian. The classification of Deputy County Librarian is distinguished from the classifications of Library Division Director in that the incumbent in the classification of Deputy County Librarian is responsible to the County Librarian for the effective and economical administration and supervision of all public services in the branch libraries throughout the County, whereas, the classification of Library Division Director is responsible for either the operation of branch libraries or the Communities and Collections Division. For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Deputy County Librarian (#4185) IDEAL CANDIDATE The Deputy County Librarian is a key member of the Library’s executive leadership team and plays a central role in translating the Library’s service commitments into daily operations and long-term systems. The ideal candidate will lead complex initiatives in close collaboration with staff, community members, and public partners, fostering shared ownership and trust while guiding thoughtful, inclusive change that advances the Library’s mission. In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will be: A values-driven leader who supports the County Librarian in advancing equitable, accessible, and inclusive library services that meet evolving community needs. Open to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement, with the ability to build shared understanding and support for new or evolving programs. Outcomes-focused, setting clear goals for personal and team success while centering community impact and service quality. A clear and respectful communicator who inspires confidence and builds alignment within the Library and with community partners and public agencies. A committed champion of library programs and services, particularly those serving communities historically underserved. An approachable and politically astute leader whose style fosters trust, respect, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Deeply grounded in the essential role of public libraries and responsive to the distinct needs, cultures, and priorities of Alameda County’s diverse communities. An empowering manager who achieves objectives by setting expectations, delegating thoughtfully, supporting staff development, monitoring progress, and recognizing success. A collaborative leader who thrives in participatory management environments and shared decision-making based on mutual goals. Able to think strategically while translating vision into action and measurable results. Proven in leading complex library operations with clarity, accountability, and care. Experienced in guiding strategic initiatives from early visioning through successful implementation. Adaptable and decisive, navigating complex situations with sound judgment, diplomacy, and respect. Skilled in working across cultures and communities, building authentic relationships with residents, library users, and staff. Deeply committed to delivering welcoming, high-quality public service for both staff and the communities served. Motivated to achieve library goals through collaboration, breaking down silos and strengthening cross-division teamwork. Comfortable leading organizational change with transparency, empathy, and steady leadership. Experienced in using data, evaluation, and lived experience to inform decisions and improve services. Knowledgeable about emerging trends and best practices in public libraries and public service. Experienced in navigating labor relations within a unionized environment with fairness and integrity. Politically astute, with the ability to work effectively within a public-sector governance landscape.

Requirements

EITHER I Experience: The equivalent of two years’ full-time experience in the class of Principal Librarian.
OR II Experience: The equivalent of five years of full-time experience as a Deputy Librarian (or equivalent classification) in a similar urban, suburban, or city library system.
OR III Education: Possession of a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, And Experience: The equivalent of five years of full-time, recent, increasingly responsible supervisory and administrative experience in a community library system, that included at least three years of experience at a level comparable to that of Principal Librarian in the Alameda County classified service.
A degree in Public Administration is highly desirable.
License: Must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
Library administration and organization.
Principles and practices of planning, organization and management techniques as applied to a modern public library system.
Principles of personnel, fiscal administration, supervision and staff development.
Planning, organizing, supervising and evaluating library programs and policies and their relationship with community needs.
Principles and practices of librarianship, including collection development, circulation, reference, reader advisory services for all ages and the use of technology in library services.
Principles of budget development and administration.
Principles of facility management and staff resource utilization.
Principles and practices of marketing relations and community outreach.
Methods and techniques of planning, implementing and evaluating library programs.

Nice To Haves

A values-driven leader who supports the County Librarian in advancing equitable, accessible, and inclusive library services that meet evolving community needs.
Open to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement, with the ability to build shared understanding and support for new or evolving programs.
Outcomes-focused, setting clear goals for personal and team success while centering community impact and service quality.
A clear and respectful communicator who inspires confidence and builds alignment within the Library and with community partners and public agencies.
A committed champion of library programs and services, particularly those serving communities historically underserved.
An approachable and politically astute leader whose style fosters trust, respect, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
Deeply grounded in the essential role of public libraries and responsive to the distinct needs, cultures, and priorities of Alameda County’s diverse communities.
An empowering manager who achieves objectives by setting expectations, delegating thoughtfully, supporting staff development, monitoring progress, and recognizing success.
A collaborative leader who thrives in participatory management environments and shared decision-making based on mutual goals.
Able to think strategically while translating vision into action and measurable results.
Proven in leading complex library operations with clarity, accountability, and care.
Experienced in guiding strategic initiatives from early visioning through successful implementation.
Adaptable and decisive, navigating complex situations with sound judgment, diplomacy, and respect.
Skilled in working across cultures and communities, building authentic relationships with residents, library users, and staff.
Deeply committed to delivering welcoming, high-quality public service for both staff and the communities served.
Motivated to achieve library goals through collaboration, breaking down silos and strengthening cross-division teamwork.
Comfortable leading organizational change with transparency, empathy, and steady leadership.
Experienced in using data, evaluation, and lived experience to inform decisions and improve services.
Knowledgeable about emerging trends and best practices in public libraries and public service.
Experienced in navigating labor relations within a unionized environment with fairness and integrity.
Politically astute, with the ability to work effectively within a public-sector governance landscape.

Responsibilities

Assists the County Librarian in the administration, supervision, planning, budgeting, evaluation and advocacy of Library Public Services
Coordinates public services with administrative and support services
Acts as department head in the absence of the County Librarian
Performs related work as required
Act as Chief Operating Officer of the organization’s services and operations.
Plan, organize, direct and evaluate comprehensive programs for providing library services.
Effectively supervise, train and evaluate professional and support personnel.
Analyze budgetary and staffing requirements and make recommendations.
Participate in developing controlling and monitoring the Library’s budget and expenditures.
Organize, analyze and supervise comprehensive library programs and policies and recommend specific plans for modifying or extending library services.
Communicate effectively both in writing and verbally with individuals and groups.
Develop and maintain good relations with the public, library staff and community and governmental organizations.

Benefits

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Management Paid Leave
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1 st United Services Credit Union