Position: Supervising Librarian, Youth Services

The Humboldt County Library has an immediate opening for Supervising Librarian: Youth Services. This position serves the Humboldt County Library System and will play a vital role as we begin an exciting new chapter in providing expanded library services to our library communities.

Salary$29.33 – $37.63 HourlyLocationEureka, CA
Job TypeFull-TimeJob Number24-00060
DepartmentLibraryDivision621 – Library
Opening Date03/18/2024Closing DateContinuous

The Humboldt County Library is a community focal point. If you are interested in making an impact in an increasingly diverse vibrant community with dynamic and engaging library services, this might be the position for you!

Living and working in Humboldt County provides the opportunity to enjoy exquisite beaches, breathtaking redwood forests, and warm inland valleys. In addition to natural beauty, there are a variety of delicious eateries, a cool art and music scene, and charming, eclectic communities. Humboldt County is a rural county located approximately 250 miles north of the Bay Area and 150 miles west of Redding. Outdoor recreational opportunities are abundant with numerous rivers, beaches, city parks, county parks, Bureau of Land Management public lands, numerous State Parks, and Redwood National Park. Residents enjoy hiking in the majestic redwoods, salmon fishing in the Klamath River, walking/biking on community trails, mountain biking in the hills, and surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Humboldt County has a population of approximately 136,000. There are seven incorporated cities in the county, all within a thirty-minute drive to Eureka (the county seat): Arcata, Blue Lake, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad. Humboldt County is served by U.S. 101, State Route 36 and State Route 299. Humboldt has a commercial airport (Airport code ACV) in McKinleyville with daily flights to San Francisco. The county offices are located in the City of Eureka, the largest incorporated city in Humboldt with a population of approximately 27,000. Eureka has a pleasant year-round coastal/Mediterranean climate with summer temperatures ranging from 52 to 62°F and winter temperatures ranging from 42 to 55°F. Several miles inland the temperature range is significantly warmer. Humboldt has small town living without traffic congestion. The average commute time is about 15 minutes.

We serve the residents of Humboldt County. The library is supported by property taxes and governed by the County Board of Supervisors. The Humboldt County Library System (HCL) consists of 11 libraries, a bookmobile, and the upcoming Library at Your Door program, which will offer community-wide access to a diverse range of resources, including books, databases, magazines, audiobooks, movies, internet resources, as well as government and historical documents. The Eureka Library functions as the operational headquarters for HCL and serves as a distribution center for many of the materials and services that support the library system as a whole. The Humboldt County Library has committed coworkers and outstanding public service benefits. Apply to join the team!

What you’ll do:

  • Develops, promotes, and presents programs to foster literacy, creativity, and life-long learning
  • Serves as an integral part of a library leadership team
  • Represents the Library at community events, meetings, and other functions
  • Implements the strategic planning and priorities of the Youth Services Division
  • Supervises and coordinates Youth Services staff and volunteers
  • Actively participates in the public service and community engagement activities of the Youth Services team 

Where you’ll do it:
This position is based in Eureka, CA, however it also provides system-wide support to all library locations including the Bookmobile.

A typical schedule for this position is Tuesday – Saturday and includes some evenings.

Under direction, plans, organizes and directs the operation of a major library section, function or a major branch library; performs related work as assigned.

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DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Supervising Librarian is the first supervisory level in the professional Librarian series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and administering activities and staff required to accomplish major system-wide library service programs or functions or the operation of a large branch library. This class is distinguished from Library Division Manager in that the latter is the first management level with major division level administrative responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans, organizes, directs and reviews the work of professional, paraprofessional and support staff.
  • Participates in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for assigned area of responsibility, function or branch.
  • Participates in the hiring of assigned staff, recommending selection for management approval.
  • Evaluates employee performance, counsels employees and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action and other personnel decisions.
  • Provides for staff training and professional development.
  • Performs the more complex and specialized tasks in reference or children’s services, branch library operation, materials acquisition or materials processing and/or cataloguing and classification.
  • Coordinates and provides specialized reader’s advisory/reference services to patrons and branches, including performing bibliographic and on-line data base searches.
  • Directs collection development in assigned areas; reviews, evaluates and selects materials for addition to or deletion from the collection.
  • Plans, develops and implements specialized services and programs to meet specific group needs.
  • Develops, implements and participates in special projects such as library automation, facility space planning, special file and informational material preparation, etc.
  • Participates in and provides input for the annual budget for assigned area of responsibility.
  • Maintains records and prepares correspondence, reports and other written materials.
  • Monitors developments in the library services field; recommends equipment acquisition and policy and procedure improvements.
  • Represents the library in the community; participates in professional association activities.
  • Provides for facility upkeep and maintenance; has responsibility for security of assigned facility and/or equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: 

  • Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, selection, training, work evaluation and discipline.
  • Principles and practices of professional library services and administration, including service objectives, organization and procedures.
  • Theory and philosophy of librarianship.
  • Books, authors and reference sources in a variety of fields.
  • Technical library and patron services related to the area to which assigned.
  • Information systems and automation as applied to library activities.
  • Basic budgetary principles and practices.

Skill in: 

  • Planning, organizing, directing and reviewing the work of assigned professional and support staff.
  • Training staff in work procedures.
  • Selecting and recommending varied library materials for patron use.
  • Performing difficult reference, research and technical library work.
  • Providing a variety of library services in assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Developing, coordinating and implementing library service programs.
  • Analyzing administrative problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending effective courses of action.
  • Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
  • Exercising sound independent judgment within policy guidelines.
  • Establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with a variety of individuals and groups, including library staff, patrons, community groups, service providers and County staff.

Other Requirements: 
Specified positions may require a valid California driver’s license. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.

Desirable Education and Experience: 
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:
Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university, possession of a Master’s degree in Library Science, and three years of experience as a professional librarian.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMPLOYEE PERKS

For information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits

For details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to fill out the application?

  • You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

  • You may only submit one application per day. 
  • You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
  • Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

How long until I hear back from you?

  • You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 – 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

How can I check for updates on my application?

  • You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

  • Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

The County of Humboldt’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position. 

If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications must be submitted online through the County’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by both Human Resources staff and may be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.  

It is important that your application shows all the relevant experience and education you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement.  Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.  Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.  The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. 

CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM

Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

  • Tier I – Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
  • Tier II – Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
  • Tier III – Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you’d be in Tier III.

  • 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
  • If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair.  Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job. “Examination” doesn’t always mean taking a test, sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied, and an “oral examination” means a scored and structured interview.

POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States.  For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.

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