Librarian II

Librarian II

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

Open to the public. This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Librarian II positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

Deadline to apply. This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, P.M. (PT).

The opportunity. The Librarian II oversees, manages, and plans the day-to-day operations of a Tier 1 or 2 Branch, or serves as second in command of a Tier 4 Library. This position may also supervise a unit of technical services or evaluate and select library materials. The Librarian II manages branch personnel and oversees branch budget, collection development, program planning, community needs assessment/awareness, and public relations. In addition, they contribute to the goals of system-wide planning and program committees.

OC Public Libraries may require employees to work weekends, evenings, and to rotate to various locations. Schedules will be changed on a case-by-case basis. Areas of assignment for these positions include:

• Branch Services
• Bibliographic Services (Collection Development, Acquisition, and Cataloging)

Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing and directing a branch library, ensuring effective and efficient overall operations, and responsive library services to the general public.
• Supervising, training, mentoring, and reviewing, either directly or through subordinate supervisors, professional, paraprofessional, clerical, extra help, and volunteer staff.
• Schedules staff and programs to best serve the local community.
• Works with Library Administration to establish short- and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic priorities.
• Overseeing facility maintenance and efficient use of the branch public space, shelving, and service desk.
• Managing branch or system-wide materials acquisition and collection development, which may include participating in system-wide collection development in order to meet the needs of the communities that OCPL serves.
• Manages branch budget and authorizes and monitors expenditures.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of library services and uses data to make informed decisions and recommendations.
• Planning, preparing, and organizing effective publicity materials to promote library programs and services.
• Engaging with branch Friends of the Library support groups and acting as Ex-Officio Board Member; participating in budget planning and expenditure of Friends' revenues.
• Working in concert with community groups and city officials to facilitate local projects, promote library services, and develop networks with local stakeholders.
• Participates in a variety of internal OCPL committees to develop systemwide plans, policies and procedures.
• Patron de-escalation and enforces library policies.
• Adheres to the County's safety rules and regulations.
• Actively seeks out and pursues a variety of professional development opportunities.
• Analyzes problems, identify alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations in support of goals, and monitor the results.
• Planning and developing programs to acquire, distribute and enhance specialized collections to serve the needs of the local community.

Desirable qualifications and core competencies. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least one (1) year of experience as a professional librarian, supervising/leading a group of library employees who provide public services. The ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge:

• Applying principles and modern methods of library science and public business administration include organization, budgetary preparation, and control of branch collections.
• Utilizing computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, library databases, and the integrated library system (ILS).
• Conducting research, maintaining statistical records, completing reports, and effectively using email for business purposes.
• Developing and implementing innovative library programs and services such as Story Times, Book Clubs, Craft Clubs, Film Discussions, Career Workshops, Summer Reading programs, Teen programs, guest speakers, author events, etc.

Leadership & Management Skills:

• Leading and empowering library staff to deliver effective, high-quality library service.
• Providing library staff and volunteers with training and guidance in the procedures and practices of a public library.
• Evaluating and supervising staff and volunteers; assigning duties, establishing work procedures and schedules, and reviewing the work of subordinate library staff.

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills:

• Analyzing patron requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
• Maintaining positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library's values, services, accomplishments, and needs to all stakeholders.
• Demonstrating the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services.

Minimum qualifications. Please click here for details on the Librarian II classification, including the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Recruitment process. Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application screening (refer/non-refer). Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Recorded structured oral interview | rSOI (weighted 100%). The recorded structured oral interview (rSOI) is a timed, recorded assessment conducted via an online platform. Applicants will answer job-related questions on video, which will be reviewed and rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible list. Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans employment preference. The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.