Librarian I (20767719)

Job Description

The City of Menlo Park is accepting applications for the position of Librarian I in the Library and Community Services Department. The Menlo Park Library and Community Service Department values customer service, community engagement, and professionalism. We hold ourselves and our team accountable, and we have fun giving community members the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

Our current opening is for a full-time librarian position who will perform duties pertaining to, but not limited to, teen services and library technology. We seek flexible library professionals who have the capability to work collaboratively across library teams.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which may be used for future Librarian I vacancies in youth services, adult services, literacy services and library e-services & technology. Interested applicants within six months of graduation with Master of Library and Information Science are encouraged to apply.

Positions in the Librarian class series are flexibly staffed and positions are normally filled by advancement from the previous level; progression to the next level is subject to management approval and is dependent on the incumbent (i) performing the full range of duties assigned to their current level, and (ii) acquiring the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to meet the minimum qualifications for the next level of the series.

Job Duties/Functions

• On a continuous basis, sits at a desk and/or stands at counter for long periods of time. Intermittently bends, twists, kneels or squats while shelving books, opening boxes, or moving equipment; twists and reaches office equipment; writes and uses keyboard to communicate and enters/retrieves data; runs errands; lifts or carries weight of up to 50 pounds. Pushes loaded book carts.
• Assists users in the use of computers and/or other electronic devices
• May provide or support story time sessions (children or adult,) or the willingness to learn how to provide the service
• May host/support/coordinate programs (children, teen, adult,); willingness to learn how to provide that service
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Provide assistance to and advise patrons of all age groups in the effective use of the Library’s collection, facilities and services; demonstrate the use of library resources, tools, equipment, and electronic reference sources; assist with digital downloads and respond to difficult or technical questions as they relate to the use of electronic resources. Compile subject bibliographies
• Develop an assigned area of the Library collection; review and analyze collection use; recommend books and materials for purchase based on patron needs and according to the variety of patron ages, abilities, education, interests, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Job PDF:

https://www.calopps.org/sites/default/files/Librarian%20I.pdf

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Adaptability
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a wide variety of library users
• Ability to obtain information through questioning; work firmly and courteously with the public; and work effectively in a busy environment with interruptions
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action within the librarian’s scope of responsibility
• Ability and willingness to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues
• Desire to learn new skills and willingness to share knowledge in the highly collaborative library environment
• Proficiency with library search tools
• Proficiency with ILS (Integrated Library Systems)
• Understands and uses the Dewey Decimal System
• Ability to work assigned shifts, including weekends, evenings, holidays as needed.
• Spanish bilingual skills desirable but not required. Bilingual differential offered to qualifying employees.
• Ability to drive a car desirable but not required.

Education and Experience
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

Librarian I: Equivalent to a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in library science, information science, or a related field.
Experience

Librarian I: One (1) year of experience working in a public library or similar work environment.

Benefits

The City offers an excellent benefit package consisting of:

• Health Insurance: City contribution up to $3,039 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or child care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 88 - 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
• Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34 hours of floating holiday time per year; 8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
• Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage
• Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
• Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
• A City-paid BayPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park. This program offers employees unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card, including CalTrain.
• A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

For additional benefit information, visit
www.menlopark.gov
and review the City of Menlo Park and SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

Special Instructions

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to fill out the required City application completely, including all relevant work experience. Applications with “See Resume” as a substitution for the work experience description and/or unclear past employment information will not be considered.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. If 25 or fewer qualified applications are received, the eligibility list will be established based on application review. If 26 or more qualified applications are received, candidates will be invited to participate in a Oral Board Panel Examination tentatively scheduled for the week of September 7, 2026. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.

An Eligible List will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six (6) months. The list may be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years. The hiring department will review the Eligible List to determine which candidates will be invited to the department selection process.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at (650) 330-6670 or
jobs@menlopark.gov
prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a reference check, criminal conviction history questionnaire, OccuScreen background, DOJ fingerprinting, and a physical examination.

Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Closing Date/Time: 8/27/2026 at 11:59pm