Ventura, CA-- Ventura County Library-- Librarian/City Librarian

Final Filing Date:  October 28, 2014

Link To Job

VENTURA COUNTY LIBRARY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR:  Librarian/City Librarian

1773LIB-14AA (JAB)        

SALARY RANGE (approximate)

$21.03 - $35.37 Hour       $3,644.70 - $6,131.25 Monthly    $43,736.42 - $73,574.97 Annually

This posting is for the Ventura County Library; vacancy location is Ventura.

POSITION INFORMATION

Under general supervision, a Librarian performs professional library work involving reference assistance, reader's advisory, public contact and program coordination.

Under general direction, a City Librarian manages and supervises the operations and staff of a medium-sized library.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Librarians perform journey-level work providing professional library services. A City Librarian is responsible for the operation of a medium-sized library and the small libraries in its region. The size of the library is defined by the size of the collection, level of patron activity, and operating hours.

Ideal candidates will have a strong customer/community service orientation and the ability to develop and deliver excellent library services in a welcoming service environment; possess excellent oral and written communication skills; be able to model respect, empathy, tact, discretion, and diplomacy; work effectively as an integral member of the Library's team and with community stakeholders; and possess a comprehensive understanding of the use of library technology.

APPROXIMATE SALARY

Librarian: $21.02 - $29.42 per hour

City Librarian: $25.27- 35.37 per hour

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency examination with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Library Services

Librarians and City Librarians are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE: This class is within a bargaining unit that is subject to an "agency shop" arrangement, which mandates all regular employees either join Local 721 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and pay dues as a member, or pay either a "service fee" to Local 721 or direct that an amount equivalent to the "service fee" be distributed to a qualified charitable organization.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill present and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent, and extra-help vacancies within Library Services. There are currently two (2) vacancies: one (1) Librarian vacancy and one (1) City Librarian vacancy.

NOTE:  If appointed at the lower level, the incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: October 22, 2014

CLOSING DATE: October 28, 2014 at 5:00 PM

APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: October 29, 2014

ORAL EXAMINATION: November 5, 2014

CERTIFICATION OF NAMES: November 6, 2014

INTERVIEWS: Week of November 10, 2014

SELECTION NOTICES: Week of November 17, 2014

Examples Of Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Librarian

• Answers reference questions and reader's advisory questions; assists or instructs in the use of the library resources.

• Trains non-professional personnel to ensure efficient operation of the library.

• Interprets and communicates library policies and programs to staff, patrons and community groups.

• Assists in the development and implementation of programs and services.

• Recommends additions to collection and services appropriate to the needs of the community.

• Works with automated systems; performs searches of databases.

City Librarian

• Participates in setting branch library goals, objectives, and policy; collaborates with local government staff in the planning and development of programs and services within the branch library; implements policies, procedures, and work standards for the branch library.

• Supervises the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff; schedules, trains, and evaluates staff.

• Coordinates acquisition, circulation, distribution, and care and preservation of library materials.

• Acts autonomously in the development of relationships with and represents the Agency to local government and other community organizations such as Friends of the Library, schools and service clubs.

• Answers questions from staff, patrons, and community members.

• Interprets library policies effectively to the public.

• Makes presentations to local officials, government entities, community organizations, staff, and the public.

• Oversees branch library cash receipts; sets procedures for the accurate recording of receipts, and the security of these.

• Interviews and recommends the appointment of personnel, provides or coordinates staff training.

• Evaluates community needs; develops specialized programs, plans and conducts outreach and special interest programs to encourage library usage.

• Recruits and supervises branch library volunteers.

• Oversees maintenance of building and grounds for the library branch; calls for and schedules vendors or other workers; sees that repairs are correctly carried out; monitors the work of janitorial and grounds maintenance workers.

• Works closely with the Friends of the Library on fund raising and other activities to improve library service.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Librarian

Comprehensive experience in library operations which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by the equivalent to a completion of a Master's degree in library service.

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.

City Librarian

Comprehensive professional library experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. These can also be obtained by the equivalent to a completion of a Master’s degree in library science and two (2) years of professional experience in public service libraries.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: library methods, techniques and procedures; library automation; audiovisual materials and methods; supervision and training; professional reference tools, collection development and maintenance; public relations; fiscal planning.

Working skills: assume leadership and apply creativity in the formulation of needed changes in methods and procedures; develop and maintain relevant collections and programs; evaluate community needs and develop methods for providing library services; plan and organize services; exercise effective interpersonal skills in dealing with subordinates, local government staff, community and business leaders, and the public; promote community participation and enthusiasm in library services; demonstrate a strong customer service orientation; develop community support; makes presentations before groups instruct, train, supervise and evaluate professional, technical and clerical staff; understand the diverse needs of a multi - cultural community for library services.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must currently possess or are eligible to possess by the time of appointment, and maintain thereafter, a valid California driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, but incumbents may be required to meet off site with staff or other governmental organizations, community leaders, and the public. May be required to work weekends and evenings.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura, Human Resources Division no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/hr. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura CA 93009.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced 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 and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

NOTE: If there are a high number of qualified applicants, a comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the oral examination. Applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria that most closely meets the needs of the department, so it is essential that applicants provide as much detail as possible and answer all parts of the application and supplemental questions.

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. Candidates 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.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record. For those classifications that are subject to Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, incumbents will be tested prior to driving a commercial vehicle and may be randomly tested thereafter.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact José Bernard by email to jose.bernard@ventura.org or phone (805) 654-2635.

Librarian/City Librarian Supplemental Questionnaire

Please respond to the following questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your experience and background related to this position, and will be used in the selection process. Please be as concise and specific as possible; clarity of expression and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process.

1.  Do you currently possess, or are eligible to obtain, a California Driver's license?

 

2.  Are you willing and able to work weekends and evenings?

  

3.  Describe your experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community stakeholders. Also, provide an example of a specific collaborative initiative you lead, its purpose, and any measurable outcomes. If no experience, please state "No experience".

4.  Describe your experience, role, and approach in developing and implementing a new program or initiative.

5. Describe your knowledge and experience developing and implementing library technology to better serve library patrons.