Senior Librarian

City of Chula Vista • Chula Vista, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Librarian is a highly responsible middle-management position in the professional Librarian series. The role performs difficult professional library and administrative work for a designated division or library, with a focus on administering and managing the operations of a branch or library division. It is distinguished from the Librarian III position by this focus on operational management.

The position oversees library services and facility operations, supervises staff, and supports the development and implementation of policies, goals, budgets, plans, programs, and services. It also represents the library to employees, the public, partner organizations, outside agencies, and City Council as required.

Newly hired employees may receive up to $5,000 in relocation allowance for relocation expenses for the employee and immediate family to San Diego County. The position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program, which provides eligible employees who make a successful referral either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000. The position is scheduled to receive a 5% salary adjustment in the first full pay period of January 2027.

Requirements

• A qualifying combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• One qualifying pathway: a Master’s Degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association and four years of paid professional library experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Alternative qualifying pathway: a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree and five years of paid professional experience in a library, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of American Library Association guidelines applicable to public library practices and procedures; supervision, work assignment and review, training, and performance evaluation; work management and organization; research, analysis, data compilation, and report writing; customer service and conflict resolution; data generation, collection, and reporting; pertinent laws, codes, regulations, library rules, policies, and procedures; relevant computer equipment and software; and English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to oversee division services in branch libraries where applicable; develop policies and make policy recommendations; work independently within broad parameters; make sound decisions within the scope of the position; foster effective working relationships; collect, compile, and analyze complex information; interpret and apply laws, rules, policies, and procedures; interpret and apply human resources policies and recommend responses to personnel issues; analyze and resolve problems; prepare reports of varying complexity; prepare and administer budgets; communicate clearly orally and in writing; speak effectively before public gatherings; and work tactfully and effectively with diverse cultural and ethnic groups.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described in the posting, including intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, twisting, reaching, grasping, fine manipulation, computer and telephone use, reading a screen, and lifting up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily library facility operations to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the community and employees.
• Manage staff scheduling to ensure shifts are fully staffed.
• Ensure daily cash receipts are reconciled as required.
• Supervise staff and delegate workload; participate in and recommend staff selection.
• Develop and coordinate staff training, conduct performance evaluations, and recommend and implement progressive discipline as directed.
• Supervise the maintenance of records and statistics.
• Respond to employee and public inquiries, provide information efficiently and in a timely manner, and resolve complaints as necessary.
• Conduct and coordinate work studies, financial studies, and other special studies.
• Represent the library to internal and external customers and outside agencies, and serve on committees as required.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with related organizations, school districts, and private industry.
• Make presentations to staff, the community, outside agencies, and City Council as required.
• Analyze information requests and apply knowledge of specialized information resources to satisfy them.
• Manage and participate in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for system-wide areas of responsibility.
• Recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Assist with preparing the budget for the assigned area and monitor budget expenditures.
• Assist in developing long-range plans, programs, and new services.
• Prepare reports and correspondence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other City employees, and the public using good customer service principles.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to $5,000 relocation allowance for qualifying relocation expenses to San Diego County for the employee and immediate family.
• Employee Referral Program: eligible employees making a successful referral receive either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000.
• Scheduled 5% salary adjustment in the first full pay period of January 2027.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior