Library Specialist II
Apply NowCompany: City of Berkeley, CA
Location: Berkeley, CA 94704
Description:
Salary : $73,264.67 - $88,005.63 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-03-4043
Department: Library
Division: Circulation
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Library Specialist II at the Berkeley Public Library. In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide welcoming and empathetic service to the community, support the library collections, plan and deliver innovative and engaging programs, build relationships with community members and organizations, increase awareness of the Library within the community through outreach and marking, and have thee opportunity to work at various library locations as needed.
We currently have two full-time Library Specialist II open in our Circulation Services and Reference division.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is equivalent to graduation from high school and three (3) years of library experience performing at the level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with the Berkeley Public Library system. The equivalent of up to two years of full-time college coursework may be substituted for up to two years of full-time library support experience.
Other requirements include specified positions that may require a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application must be received by April 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST and must include a completed application and resume. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews slated for a date to be determined.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000 (Maintenance and Clerical Chapters) or $50,000 (Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders). Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 2 to 4 weeks of vacation annually, depending on classification (see )
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU)
01
Do you have a High School diploma or Equivalent?
02
How many years of library experience do you have at a level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with Berkeley Public Library?
03
You may substitute up to two years of full-time college coursework for up to two years of full-time library support experience. How many years of full-time college coursework have you completed?
04
Are you interested in full-time or part-time work?
05
Which location are you interested in working at? Select all that applies.
06
In a minimum of 150 words, describe a time when you had to communicate with an angry patron. What did you do? How did you respond? What would you do differently next time?
07
In a minimum of 150 words, describe an experience planning and organizing a program. Include the type of program, the scope of the program, the number and type of employees who help bring the program together, and the program timeline. How did you follow up on the progress?
08
In a minimum of 150 words, describe a program, interaction, or experience that would demonstrate your commitment to diversity and equity.
Required Question
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-03-4043
Department: Library
Division: Circulation
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Library Specialist II at the Berkeley Public Library. In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide welcoming and empathetic service to the community, support the library collections, plan and deliver innovative and engaging programs, build relationships with community members and organizations, increase awareness of the Library within the community through outreach and marking, and have thee opportunity to work at various library locations as needed.
We currently have two full-time Library Specialist II open in our Circulation Services and Reference division.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is equivalent to graduation from high school and three (3) years of library experience performing at the level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with the Berkeley Public Library system. The equivalent of up to two years of full-time college coursework may be substituted for up to two years of full-time library support experience.
Other requirements include specified positions that may require a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application must be received by April 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST and must include a completed application and resume. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:
- Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
- Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
- Oral Board Exam (Dates Tentatively Scheduled for May 5, 6, and 7)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews slated for a date to be determined.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000 (Maintenance and Clerical Chapters) or $50,000 (Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders). Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 2 to 4 weeks of vacation annually, depending on classification (see )
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU)
01
Do you have a High School diploma or Equivalent?
- Yes
- No
02
How many years of library experience do you have at a level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with Berkeley Public Library?
- None or Not Applicable
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 2 years
- 2 years but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 4 years
- 4 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
03
You may substitute up to two years of full-time college coursework for up to two years of full-time library support experience. How many years of full-time college coursework have you completed?
- 1 year but less than 2 years
- 2 years
04
Are you interested in full-time or part-time work?
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
05
Which location are you interested in working at? Select all that applies.
- Central
- Claremont
- North
- South
- West
06
In a minimum of 150 words, describe a time when you had to communicate with an angry patron. What did you do? How did you respond? What would you do differently next time?
07
In a minimum of 150 words, describe an experience planning and organizing a program. Include the type of program, the scope of the program, the number and type of employees who help bring the program together, and the program timeline. How did you follow up on the progress?
08
In a minimum of 150 words, describe a program, interaction, or experience that would demonstrate your commitment to diversity and equity.
Required Question