Library Technician - Patron Services

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

Santa Barbara Public Library is dedicated to supporting education for all ages through classes and events, building a community of readers, empowering individuals with free access to information, and connecting people to community resources. Read more about the Library Department here.

THE POSITION

Santa Barbara Public Library is seeking a customer service-oriented Library Technician who is flexible, creative, and has a passion for public libraries. This position will focus on modeling excellent customer service and providing engaging programming and community education with a focus on customer service.  The most successful candidates will be individuals who want to work in a dynamic environment and have experience working with a diverse public (including children, teens, families, people experiencing homelessness, and seniors), keen attention to detail, and the ability to exercise independent judgment. Bilingual spoken and written language skills (Spanish and English) is highly desirable.

This position will facilitate a welcoming environment in the library, assist with programs, events, computer and printing technology, appointment creation, assisting and maintaining displays, circulating materials, and library material cataloging, along with other related duties and responsibilities.

WORK SCHEDULE: 

Central Library business hours are Monday-Thursday between the hours of 9am-7pm; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8:15am-5:15pm.

The work week schedule is either Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday, with a 6-month schedule rotation. Schedules are dependent upon operational needs and are subject to change. Teleworking is generally not an option due to the customer-oriented nature of this position.

BENEFITS:

To view our benefits page click here.

Knowledge of:

• Library services and functions.

• Library terminology.

• Practices and techniques of library material classification and cataloging.

• Computerized cataloging, bibliographical and circulation system databases.

• Library equipment and tools including personal computers, copiers, Internet, CD readers, indices, microfilm/fiche readers and printers.

• Principles and procedures of record keeping.

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of journey level technical and clerical library work.

• Operate computerized cataloging, bibliographical and circulation system databases.

• Keyboarding speed necessary for successful job performance.

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Work independently in the absence of supervision.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Train and mentor volunteers.

• Perform routine reference searches.

• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time

• Operating assigned equipment and/or vehicle

• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observations

• Communicating with others

• Reading and writing

• Operating assigned equipment and/or vehicle

• Work in collaboration with a variety of library staff and community members.

• Respond to community needs and suggest curriculum or special events.

• Communicate effectively about issues and policies with patrons, volunteers, and staff.

• Collect and maintain statistics and assist with program evaluation and reports.

• Provide excellent customer service and leadership from any service post in the Library or Library Outreach Van.

• Collaborate when assigned to work on a Library-wide project team.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two (2) years of increasingly responsible library work experience. Customer service experience and a curiosity for learning are desirable.

Education and/or Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. The ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Requires possession of a California driver's license. Bookmobile and outreach assignments require possession of a Class B California driver's license.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

INTERVIEWS:

First and Second round Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 9th.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Library Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environmental Conditions:

Stationary and/or mobile Library environment; work closely with the public; work with a personal computer and office equipment. Working in an environment actively under renovation.

Physical Conditions:

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; requires some bending and lifting up to 25 pounds. Physical agility necessary to drive and set up services with the Bookmobile.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024