Head of Reference - City of Richmond, CA

Introduction

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for libraries and the ability to inspire both patrons and staff alike? We're looking for a Head of Reference who can balance tradition and innovation, turning a building full of books and resources into a thriving center for community engagement and lifelong learning. If you can lead with a strategic mind, manage budgets as skillfully as you manage people, and have a knack for championing both the classics and cutting-edge technology, we want you to steer our library into its next chapter. Join us in shaping the future of our library—a place where ideas come to life, and every visitor finds more than they were looking for.

The City of Richmond is seeking a dedicated and energetic individual with extensive experience working in a public library system with a diverse community. Individuals that have exceptional supervisory skills, are innovative, and interested in internal and external collaboration are encouraged to apply.

Annual salary for this classification is as high as $109,740.48 with an additional approved Cost of Living Adjustment of 4% on 1/1/2025. Additionally, City-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, one week of paid parental leave, and more! All benefit information can be found in our Benefits Summary.

Position Description and Duties

The ideal candidate:

• Leadership and Supervisory Skills: The role requires a candidate who can effectively supervise and lead both full-time and part-time library staff, manage reference services, and provide strategic direction to library programs and services.
• Experience in Public Library Services: The candidate should have experience working in a diverse urban library setting, particularly in areas like collection development, reference services, and programming for both adults and young adults.
• Community Engagement and Collaboration: The candidate should demonstrate a strong ability to build and maintain partnerships, work collaboratively with other departments and community groups, and drive community-focused initiatives that enhance library offerings and outreach.

The Position

Under general direction of the Administrative Librarian, performs difficult and professional library work; provides leadership and direction in the delivery of library services; supervises full and part-time staff engaged in providing information services and programs to a diverse community; and performs related work as required.

Class Characteristics
Incumbents in this class are responsible for performing skilled library work; planning, organizing and supervising staff and functions for reference, adult programs and young adult services; and for working with Administrative Librarians to coordinate these services at branch locations. This class manages and supervises a specific function/area of the Library that requires particular attention, skills and knowledge, and is distinguished from the Administrative Librarian in that the latter is responsible for managing multiple major functional areas of the Library.

Examples of Duties
(Illustrative Only) Supervise and evaluate full and part-time professional, technical, and support staff; may assist in planning and implementing other library services and programs; provides training and staff development; plans work schedules; makes recommendations for staffing and other personnel actions; plans and implements services, collections, and programs for Adult and Young Adult Services; may assist in planning and implementing other library services and programs; makes recommendations regarding library programs, equipment, and technology; selects or assists in the selection of books, periodicals and other materials; provides assistance to the Administrative Librarian in the coordination of services between the Main Library and branch locations; provides various levels of reference assistance to the general public, including assistance for difficult or technical issues that may require extensive research and analysis; performs research; prepares bibliographies, book lists and other library information or materials; writes various reports, letters and memos; collects and compiles data; maintains or supervises the maintenance of files and records; makes oral presentations; monitors funding, expenditures and develops budgets; speaks to various groups and organizations regarding library services and programs; and assists in promoting library services and programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:
Master’s degree in Library Science from an accredited library school; and three (3) years of professional library experience with a minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising staff.

Through Knowledge of: Principles and practices of modern librarianship, including reference and library services and programs, and collection development and maintenance; reference sources, books, periodicals, electronic information sources, and library automation systems; principles of supervision and management; and budgeting techniques.

Ability to: Supervise, plan, organize and direct the day-to-day work of professional and para-professional library staff; perform a variety of professional library work; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse public, other City departments, and library staff; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; collect, interpret, and maintain data; stay informed of professional trends in library science; prepare written reports and make oral presentations; and work nights and weekends.

Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge of Innovative Interfaces Inc. (iii) integrated library systems and emerging technology and social networking applications; experience working with grants and in a diverse urban environment; and the ability to be flexible and adapt to different assignments.

Licenses/Certifications:
Must possess a valid California Driver's License.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
The City’s policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster, for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

Additional Information

Application and Selection Process

To Apply: Interested individuals must apply online by fully completing the City of Richmond Employment Application, including answers to supplemental questions, by 11:59 p.m. PST on the final filing date. Incomplete applications or those lacking in sufficiently detailed information will be rejected. Resumes or prior applications will not be accepted in lieu of a thoroughly completed application. All communication regarding this recruitment will be via email. Each applicant must apply with a monitored email address.

Qualifying Phase: All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department(s). Candidates may be screened for better qualified.

Examination Phase: The most suitably qualified candidates will be asked to respond to an additional set of supplemental questions. An employment list will be established and your placement on the list will be determined solely by the responses to these questions (Weighted 100%). Having all of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement nor placement on the employment list.

Employment List: A ranking of "A" (Best Qualified), "B" (Well Qualified), or "C" (Qualified) is required to achieve a position on the employment list. The list will be in effect for a maximum of two (2) years; however, the list may be canceled, without notice, after six (6) months.

About the City of Richmond:
The City of Richmond lies on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and access to Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, ferry, and two freeways. Both residents and employees really appreciate the recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities, and our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged.

Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!

Immigration Reform Control Act:
In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United States as a condition of employment.

Non-Discrimination Policy:
The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law.

Disaster Service Workers:
California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declare all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here.

EEO/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us

Analyst: K. Florence
11/2024