City of San Jose is hiring: Literacy Program Specialist - Library Department in

The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) consists ofmore than 600 employees, a 23% bilingual workforce, and has24 branch libraries across San José, in addition to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is the city’s main library jointly operated through a unique partnership with San José State University. SJPL serves a diverse community of roughly one-million residents and currently has nearly 700,000 library members. It annually attracts over 6 millionvisitors (pre-pandemic) and circulates more than 8 million items per year.

Over the past few years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core. In addition to providing library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the SJ Accessdigital equity initiative, which has become the number one provider of free public access to Wi-Fi connectivity, tech device lending, and multi-lingual digital literacy programs and support. SJPL is led by Jill Bourne, City Librarian, who was nationally recognized in 2017 as Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.”

SJPL enriches lives by fostering lifelong learning and ensuring that every member of the community has access to a vast array of ideas and information. The library department is a place where people do great work and make a difference in our community. To see examples of SJPL’s work and learn more about its impact, visit www.sjpl.org. Join us to make a difference!

The Library Department is seeking four (4) Literacy Program Specialists (LPS) to join our team and change the lives of those we serve! The ideal candidate for these positions will understand, support, practice and promote the Mission, Vision, & Values statements of the City of San José and the library; demonstrate leadership and a commitment to active customer service; have knowledge of current literacy technology and trends; have experience working with a diverse community and staff; and enjoy working in a fast-paced, innovative team environment.

Literacy Program Specialists are community connectors. They are responsible for coordinating programs and services provided by the library. They identify community needs, collaborate with partner organizations, and guide library customers to information and helpful resources. Specialists are responsible for performing a variety of professional duties including: implementing grants; planning/implementing or finding partners for library programs; conducting community outreach; evaluating the effectiveness of programs, computer software, and online learning tools; formulating a strong partnership with other Library units (Family Learning Centers, Early Education, Expanded Learning, College and Career Pathways, Digital Empowerment, and SJPL Works); and having knowledge of current literacy trends. These positions may include evenings and weekend shifts. Bilingual Skills Preferred.

The salary range for Literacy Program Specialist is approximately $91,094.64 - $110,532.24annually. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

We are currently recruiting Literacy Program Specialists who are detail orientation and have strong communication skills to implement the City’s Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City’s Education Policy.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other units (such as Digital Empowerment, Early Education, College and Career Pathways, English as a Second Language (ESL) and/ or Adult Literacy). If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Family Learning Center Coordinator

SJPL is seeking a dynamic, community-oriented Literacy program specialist to lead educational and family engagement programs at one of the Family Learning Centers. This role involves developing and delivering culturally responsive services such as adult literacy, ESL, digital skills, citizenship, workforce readiness, and access to community resources through the bridge libraries while collaborating with library staff, educators, nonprofits, and volunteers. The coordinator will also conduct outreach to raise awareness, supervise volunteers, manage program logistics, and track participation and impact via data collection. Ideal candidates will bring strong communication, multi-tasking and organizational skills, experience working with diverse communities, and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and family-centered service.

English Second Language (ESL) Programming Coordinator (Overstrength)*

SJPL is seeking a passionate, community-focused, and experienced ESL Program Coordinator to lead, design, and implement high-quality programs and services that reflect the needs of San José’s diverse community. This role will be responsible for the coordination of citywide ESL programming, staff, volunteer and instructor training, community partnerships, and oversight of the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) ESL grant. The ideal candidate will be skilled in ESL assessment, curriculum development, cross-cultural communication, program evaluation, and community engagement.

Resilience Corps Learning Pathway Specialist (Overstrength)*

The College and Career Pathways Unit is seeking a passionate and community-driven Literacy Program Specialist to manage, develop, enhance, and administer the Resilience Corps Learning Pathway program. This vital role focuses on supporting SJPL’s administrative responsibilities associated with the state grant-funded program, including data collection and management. The position will also oversee the worksite experience of participants within the workforce development program who are assigned to SJPL as their worksite and act as a liaison with key community partners. The ideal candidate will be a champion of workforce and education equity, with a strong and demonstrated commitment to building trust with and, uplifting, and empowering young adults. Responsibilities include developing and delivering equity-oriented and diversified training strategies, grant and data management, partnership development, and the development of impactful programs that connect people to opportunities to uplift and empower San José’s youth and young adults.

ESL and Workforce Development Grant Coordinator (Overstrength)*

SJPL is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to coordinate and manage citywide ESL and workforce development programs, aligned with the evolving needs of our diverse community. This role will serve as the project lead for the prestigious Carnegie grant-funded initiative, Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy, aimed at strengthening SJPL’s role in civic education, economic mobility, and lifelong learning. This strategic position blends direct program oversight with cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, volunteer training and grant management to advance equitable access to educational and economic opportunities for all San José residents. The ideal candidate will be skilled in ESL assessment, curriculum development, cross-cultural communication, program evaluation, and community engagement.

*These Overstrength positions are anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on program needs and available funding.

Education and Experience
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in literacy, education, social or human services, or related field AND one (1) year experience working in a literacy program.

Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices; including programming materials, techniques, methodologies and/or principles and practices of adult literacy programs; tutoring techniques and assessment; handling sensitive and confidential information; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing, demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Multi-tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Reliability- Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for these vacancies or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

This position will remain open until filled. Applications received by September 7, 2025, will receive first consideration.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Irina Orozco at Irina.Orozco@sanjoseca.gov. #J-18808-Ljbffr