Senior Librarian Job at City of Berkeley, CA in Berkeley

Salary : $101,125.02 - $120,195.30 Annually

Location : Berkeley, CA

Job Type : Career

Job Number : 2025-09-2189

Department : Library

Division : Central Support

Opening Date : 09 / 08 / 2025

Closing Date : 10 / 3 / 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 Senior Librarian with the Berkeley Public Library! In this role, you will have the opportunity to have a leadership role within the Teen Services division under the supervision of the Supervising Librarian, coordinate system-wide teen (ages 13 to 18) outreach programming, purchase items for the Teen collections, and assist in budget development.

See the full job classification here :

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a Master’s degree in Library Science and three (3) years of experience as a professional librarian. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.

A valid California driver’s license is desirable. Must be able to work evenings and weekends.

Application Process

Application must be received by Friday, October 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST and must include a completed application, attach a resume, and complete the supplemental questions. 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. Please allow 10 days for the 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 qualification and required documents
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire

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 the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing 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 benefits, 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 and Benefits

CalPERS - City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System. 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 or $50,000 depending on classification. 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.

Holidays - 15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance - Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually.

SEIU - I acknowledge that this position requires that I am available to work evening and weekend shifts.

Required Questions

1. Do you possess a Master’s Degree in Library Science?
2. How many years of experience do you have as a professional librarian?
3. None
4. Less than 1 year
5. 1 year but less than 2
6. 2 years but less than 3
7. 3 or more years

In 250-300 words, describe your experience working collaboratively with colleagues from different teams / divisions in your organization. How did you balance competing priorities between your primary service area focus and those of the larger organization? What challenges did you experience?

The major responsibilities of a Senior Librarian include systemwide program coordination, community engagement efforts, collection development, and coordinating the work and encouraging the professional development of Librarians I / II. In 250-300 words, describe your experience fostering a growth environment for your colleagues - how do you share your experience and help them develop professionally? If you don’t already have this experience, describe how you would approach this.

Library Teen Spaces tend to operate differently from other spaces in the library. In 250-300 words, tell us about your experience interacting with teens in such an environment. How do you believe we cultivate a space for teens? How do you connect the Teen Space to the larger library environment?

Required Question