Community Library Manager I/II (Open and Promotional)

Salary : $104,748.80 - $151,652.80 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: D189R
Department: County Library
Opening Date: 04/16/2025
Closing Date: 4/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 50B

Description
Join our award-winning team and work at one of the top-rated libraries in the nation! Apply for a Community Library Manager I/II position with San Mateo County Libraries.

San Mateo County Libraries is thrilled to offer an incredible opportunity for an experienced leader looking to join a progressive, forward-thinking organization or for a skilled librarian with supervisory experience to transition into a management role. It is our mission and passion to build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity. We seek enthusiastic team players, creative risk takers, and flexible individuals who proactively search for new opportunities to make public library services relevant to all members of the community. At San Mateo County Libraries, we celebrate diversity, strive for equity, and practice inclusion. Bilingual skills are valued as we serve a variety of communities in the county.

This recruitment will fill positions at the East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, and Millbrae Libraries and any anticipated future vacancies throughout the library system.

The Community Library Manager:

• Plans, develops, coordinates, organizes, and supervises the activities of one or more community libraries.
• Develops goals and objectives for libraries and staff that embrace and align with San Mateo County Libraries' vision, mission, strategic goals, and brand.
• Manages and coaches a team of talented staff to provide excellent and innovative library services to the community in a positive environment.
• Leads and supports staff in engaging in growth mindset, smart risk-taking, and embracing creativity and flexibility.
• Works collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to strategically develop meaningful community partnerships.
• Is responsible for ensuring our libraries are warm and welcoming, which includes ensuring marketing, collections, and physical spaces are actively maintained to reflect San Mateo County Libraries standards and brand.

The ideal candidate will have four years of experience as a librarian, including one year of supervisory experience, be highly effective in diverse settings, and proactively seek opportunities to make library services relevant to community members. The successful candidate will be excited about and eager to tackle new challenges and skilled in communicating with people from a variety of backgrounds.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have these skills and abilities:

• Add value to the leadership team in goal setting and strategic planning.
• Lead a team of people and oversee library operations to meet the needs of the community and ensure every customer has a positive experience.
• Establish standards of performance and clear expectations for library staff.
• Foster cooperative working relationships with staff, colleagues, library leadership, customers, city staff, and Friends of the Library groups.
• Actively participate in local organizations and community events, and partner with community groups.
• Problem solve using a creative and collaborative team approach.
• Demonstrate excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills with internal and external partners.
• Analyze library statistics and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.
• Deploy excellent judgment in interpreting library policy.

SAN MATEO COUNTY LIBRARIES
San Mateo County Libraries is a Joint Powers Authority comprised of 11 member cities and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. Our family of 13 libraries include: Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, North Fair Oaks, Pacifica-Sharp Park, Pacifica-Sanchez, Portola Valley, San Carlos, and Woodside. Our service area spans rural and urban communities, with approximately 270,000 residents, 75% of whom have library cards. For more information about San Mateo County Libraries, please visit www.smcl.org

Note: The eligible list generated by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies throughout San Mateo County Libraries.
Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise one or more branches of varying sizes.
• Assist higher-level management in planning, developing, and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures that reflect the County Library's mission and service philosophy.
• Supervise professional and paraprofessional staff, including training, assigning, and evaluating staff, and resolving personnel issues.
• Plan, develop, and implement programs and activities to meet community needs.
• Keep up to date on librarianship.
• Recommend, select, and evaluate library materials based on users' needs and interests.
• Consult with users, staff and higher-level management and others to resolve complaints regarding materials, programs, policies, procedures, and performance.
• Manage branch facility and surrounding grounds.
• Participate in library planning groups to assist in library administration, including developing budget priorities.
• Assist in the development of the Library budget by actively providing information on branch and community needs as well as providing requested information to Library Administration.
• Assist in developing and implementing public relations/outreach programs, including attending and speaking at meetings in the community.
• Seek outside sources of funding and participate in grant writing using guidelines set by Library Administration.
• Participate in the hiring and selection of branch staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:
A Master of Library Science or recognized equivalent degree from an American Library Association-accredited college or university is required.
Experience:
Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Library Branch Manager I - Three years of experience as a librarian.
Library Branch Manager II- Four years of experience as a librarian, including one year of supervisory experience.
Knowledge of:

• Management principles and practices.
• Library purposes, organization techniques and procedures.
• Principles and practices of library science.
• Budget principles and practices.
• Principles and techniques of supervision.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, direct, and evaluate programs and activities.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Analyze and resolve problems.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others.
• Conduct needs assessments and perform community outreach.
• Identify, define, and seek creative solutions to improve library service.
• Make determinations on library materials.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: May 5 - 9, 2025
Civil Service Panel Interview: May 21 and/or 22, 2025

About the CountySan Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Talent Acquisition Analyst: Sedrick Dixon (04162025) (Library Branch Manager I/II - D188/D189)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training, wellness and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Please share enough information for us to evaluate your qualifications. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

A Master's Degree in Library Science (or recognized equivalent degree) from an American Library Association accredited college or university is required for this position. Do you have a Master's Degree in Library Science or recognized equivalent degree, from an American Library Association accredited college or university? (A "no" response will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

• Yes
• No

03

If you have a recognized equivalent degree, please explain.
04

Summarize your background and experiences that have prepared you for this position. Please highlight one major professional accomplishment of which you are proud.
05

What is your leadership philosophy? Describe how this philosophy has helped you lead a team of people to ensure a positive customer experience or accomplish a strategic goal.
06

Describe your experience working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to strategically develop meaningful community partnerships.
Required Question