Senior Librarian (Cataloging)
Apply NowCompany: City of Oakland, CA
Location: Oakland, CA 94601
Description:
Salary : $109,678.40 - $134,659.20 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 25-AP220-04SC
Department: Oakland Public Library
Opening Date: 04/21/2025
Closing Date: 5/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SD1
The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Public Library Department?
Oakland Public Library (OPL) empowers all people to explore, connect and grow. Through our eighteen (18) branches over three-hundred dedicated employees serve multiple communities located within the Cities of Oakland, Piedmont, and Emeryville.
OPL is an indispensable partner in transforming lives through robust equity and diversity initiatives, responsive services, and unique programming adapted to serve the needs of a multifaceted community. We champion a future filled with joy for all people, and our staff actively engages and works in conjunction with various community partners to envision, develop and promote our evolving services.
We are looking for someone who is:
What you will typically be responsible for:
Read the complete job description by clicking this
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
A few challenges you might face in this job:
Competencies Required:
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Selective Certification Cataloging
This recruitment is being announced in accordance with Section 5.03 of the Civil Service Rules. The eligible list generated from this announcement will only be used to fill Librarian, Senior positions specialized in Cataloging, including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable, and may be used to fill future vacancies with the same Selective Certification.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education:
A Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited graduate school.
Experience:
Two years of experience comparable to the Librarian II position in the Oakland Public Library which must have included performing advanced cataloging duties, including overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records in an Integrated Library System (ILS) and in OPAC (online public access catalog)
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam). The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of May 12, 2025.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What's in it for you? CONFIRM WHICH PARTS ARE RELEVANT WITH HIRING DEPARTMENT(S)
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Melissa Davis at mdavis3@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
CalPERS Medical
Dental
Vision
Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits
Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
Pension Benefits
Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on an eligible list. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental responses.
02
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?
03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port employee, type "N/A".
04
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?
05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.
06
Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland put N/A.
07
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
08
This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require bilingual skills in a specific language, the eligible list generated from this announcement will be used to fill positions that may or may not require bilingual language skills. For positions in this classification not requiring bilingual language skills, names will be certified in rank order (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.02).For positions in this classification requiring selective certification of bilingual language skills, names of eligible candidates certified to the hiring authority shall be the highest ranking candidates willing to accept employment and who possess the additional and special qualifications required (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.03, Selective Certification). Such positions will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to be considered for selectively certified positions.Identify the language(s) for which you have bilingual conversational proficiency. If you do not have bilingual conversational proficiency in any of the identified languages, check the appropriate box.
09
What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?
10
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits", how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
11
If you indicated that you have attained a Bachelor's degree or above, please list the field of study (major) in each degree attained. (for example: BA degree - Environmental Science & MA degree - Business Administration) If this doesn't apply, please indicate "NA".
12
How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in performing advanced cataloging duties, including overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records in an Integrated Library System (ILS) and in OPAC (online public access catalog)?
13
Please describe your experience in performing advanced cataloging duties, including managing an Integrated Library System (ILS) and overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records.
14
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
Required Question
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 25-AP220-04SC
Department: Oakland Public Library
Opening Date: 04/21/2025
Closing Date: 5/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SD1
The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Public Library Department?
Oakland Public Library (OPL) empowers all people to explore, connect and grow. Through our eighteen (18) branches over three-hundred dedicated employees serve multiple communities located within the Cities of Oakland, Piedmont, and Emeryville.
OPL is an indispensable partner in transforming lives through robust equity and diversity initiatives, responsive services, and unique programming adapted to serve the needs of a multifaceted community. We champion a future filled with joy for all people, and our staff actively engages and works in conjunction with various community partners to envision, develop and promote our evolving services.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Knowledgeable. You have a thorough and up-to-date understanding of classification and cataloging of system-wide library materials.
- Experienced. You will perform quality assurance and global updating of metadata to ensure uniformity and consistency in the ILS.
- Analytical and Creative. You will maximize workflows and resources for effective delivery of materials to the public.
- Technologically Skilled. You are fully proficient in applications for cataloging and ILS maintenance and stay abreast of new systems and technologies.
- Collaborative. You will demonstrate cooperation and foster teamwork while working within and across various library teams and branches.
- A Skilled Leader and Coach. You will guide and encourage others to accomplish common goals.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Monitoring daily new materials inflows and manages accordingly to make them available to public.
- Maintaining catalog data to ensure quality control and accessibility of an accurate, on-line database.
- System-wide designing, planning, and establishment of material ordering, cataloging, and processing work flows.
- Cataloging library materials in all formats following national and local standards and providing training to catalogers; managing ILS system and MARC records
- Gathering, compiling and analyzing Technical Service Unit statistics to ensure workload and workflows meet department goals.
- Directing, supervising and training professional and support staff within assigned units.
Read the complete job description by clicking this
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
- Your work will serve the needs of diverse populations of the Oakland community and beyond.
- You will be responsible for making library materials findable and accessible to staff and the public. Every time a person gets the book they want on time it will be thanks to you and your team!
- You will support critical language collections in Spanish and Chinese, and unique collections of non-traditional library materials such a toys and tools.
- You will collaborate with a dedicated and creative team of library staff in 18 locations.
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will manage a workflow for customers who expect regularity and efficient delivery of materials with an inflow that is subject to unexpected challenges not always in your control.
- You will balance input from your community, administration, and colleagues to ensure satisfied customers (both internal and external) while supporting the library's mission and maintaining quality control of the ILS.
- You will manage a team of staff with specialized skills.
Competencies Required:
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Business Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
- Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
- Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
- Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
- Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
- Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
- Leading Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions, functions, or teams
- Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Organizational Systems Thinking: Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions
- Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
- Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Selective Certification Cataloging
This recruitment is being announced in accordance with Section 5.03 of the Civil Service Rules. The eligible list generated from this announcement will only be used to fill Librarian, Senior positions specialized in Cataloging, including full-time and permanent part-time positions, if applicable, and may be used to fill future vacancies with the same Selective Certification.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.
Education:
A Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited graduate school.
Experience:
Two years of experience comparable to the Librarian II position in the Oakland Public Library which must have included performing advanced cataloging duties, including overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records in an Integrated Library System (ILS) and in OPAC (online public access catalog)
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam). The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of May 12, 2025.
For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What's in it for you? CONFIRM WHICH PARTS ARE RELEVANT WITH HIRING DEPARTMENT(S)
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Melissa Davis at mdavis3@oaklandca.gov.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
CalPERS Medical
Dental
Vision
Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits
Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
Pension Benefits
Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
01
Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on an eligible list. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental responses.
- Yes
- No
02
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. Are you a current full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City of Oakland employee?
- Yes
- No
03
If you are a current City or Port of Oakland employee, what is your job title and employee ID number? If you are not a City or Port employee, type "N/A".
04
Have you previously been employed by the City of Oakland?
- Yes
- No
05
If you have previously been employed by the City of Oakland, please enter the dates and titles of the jobs you previously held at the City of Oakland below.
06
Please list other names used while employed by the City of Oakland. If you have not been employed by the City of Oakland put N/A.
07
Do you confirm that the address on your application matches your current residency?
- Yes
- No
08
This is a public contact position. Although no current vacancies require bilingual skills in a specific language, the eligible list generated from this announcement will be used to fill positions that may or may not require bilingual language skills. For positions in this classification not requiring bilingual language skills, names will be certified in rank order (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.02).For positions in this classification requiring selective certification of bilingual language skills, names of eligible candidates certified to the hiring authority shall be the highest ranking candidates willing to accept employment and who possess the additional and special qualifications required (in accordance with Civil Service Rules, Section 5.03, Selective Certification). Such positions will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to be considered for selectively certified positions.Identify the language(s) for which you have bilingual conversational proficiency. If you do not have bilingual conversational proficiency in any of the identified languages, check the appropriate box.
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
- Spanish
- I do not have bilingual conversational proficiency in any of the identified languages, but I am still interested in the position.
09
What is the highest degree or level of education that you have completed?
- High school graduate, diploma or equivalent
- Some college credit, no degree
- Associate degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
- Other
10
If you indicated your highest educational achievement is "Some college credits", how many units of college level coursework have you completed?
- 1-14 semester / 1-21 quarter units / or equivalent
- 15-29 semester / 22-44 quarter units / or equivalent
- 30-59 semester / 45-89 quarter units / or equivalent
- 60-89 semester / 90-134 quarter units / or equivalent
- 90+ semester / 135+ quarter units / or equivalent
- N/A
11
If you indicated that you have attained a Bachelor's degree or above, please list the field of study (major) in each degree attained. (for example: BA degree - Environmental Science & MA degree - Business Administration) If this doesn't apply, please indicate "NA".
12
How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in performing advanced cataloging duties, including overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records in an Integrated Library System (ILS) and in OPAC (online public access catalog)?
- I possess 2 or more years of experience as described
- I possess 1 year, but less than 2 years, of experience as described
- I possess less than 1 year of experience as described
- I do not possess any experience as described
13
Please describe your experience in performing advanced cataloging duties, including managing an Integrated Library System (ILS) and overseeing the maintenance of Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) Records.
14
Answers to the above supplemental questions MUST be supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application. Answers not supported by information contained in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of this application will NOT be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed. I have read and understand this statement.
- Yes
- No
Required Question