Library Specialist II

Salary : $78,100.05 - $93,814.03 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-10-4043
Department: Library
Division: Central Support
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the Library Specialist II position with the Berkeley Public Library! In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide welcoming and empathetic service to the community, support the Library's collections, plan and deliver innovative and engaging programs, build relationships with community members and organizations, increase awareness of the Library within the community through outreach and marketing, and staff our modern and vibrant Teen Room, located near Berkeley High School.

We currently have two full-time Library Specialist II positions open in our Central Library Teen Services and North Branch division.

The Central Library is in downtown Berkeley, one block from Berkeley High School. The Library Specialist II will be providing library services and resources to youth ages 12-18. As part of the Teen Services team, you will help maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for teens in the Teen Room. In collaboration with the Teen Librarians, you will also assist with teen programming and events. Essential skills include strong interpersonal communication, de-escalation skills, cultural competence, and a passion for working with teens.

The North Branch Library is located in a residential neighborhood in North Berkeley. The Library Specialist II at North Branch provides library resources and services to children and families, teens and young adults, and seniors. You will be assisting library users with circulation transactions, reader's advisory services, and the use of public computers and printers. In the absence of supervisors, you will also serve as the lead staff member addressing patron/staff concerns and assisting in opening/closing procedures. Essential skills include cultural competence, strong communication skills, familiarity with a variety of electronic devices and software applications, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team.

This recruitment will create an eligible list that will be used by the department to fill future temporary and/or career positions in the next 12 months. Full-time and part-time positions may be available. Candidates who are not interested in the current vacancies are still highly encouraged to apply.

See the full for details about this job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and three (3) years of library experience performing at the level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with the Berkeley Public Library system. The equivalent of up to two years of full-time college coursework may be substituted for up to two years of full-time library support experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Specified positions may require a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be received by Monday, November 23, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT and must include a completed application and resume. 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 to Please allow 10 days for production of the materials in alternative format.

Please be aware of unauthorized job postings and communications. Applications will only be accepted via GovernmentJobs.com and we will only email candidates from the governmentjobs.com or berkeleyca.gov domain. If you encounter a suspicious job post or communication, please alert us at .
EXAM PROCESS

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application close date
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Oral Board Exam (December 14 through December 18)

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.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , 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
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

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 Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. 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.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. 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 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Some High School
• High School or Equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher

02

How many years of library experience do you have at a level equivalent to Library Assistant or Library Specialist I with Berkeley Public Library?

• None or Not Applicable
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

03

You may substitute up to two years of full-time college coursework for up to two years of full-time library support experience. How many years of full-time college coursework have you completed?

• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years

04

Are you interested in full-time or part-time work?

• Full-Time
• Part-Time

05

Do you have any experience working with youth/teens?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, how many years?

• Less than one year
• One year but less than two years
• Two years but less than three years
• Three years or more

07

Which location are you interested in working at? Select all that applies.

• Central
• Claremont
• North
• South
• West

08

Describe a specific time when you interacted with a patron, customer, or community member who was upset, frustrated, or angry. In a minimum of 150 words, explain the situation, the actions you took, and the factors that guided your response. Include how you balanced empathy, fairness, and organizational expectations, the outcome of the interaction, and what you learned from the experience. Please use a real example and reflect on how this experience has influenced your approach to serving diverse communities.
09

Describe your experience creating welcoming and supportive spaces for Teens in the Library. In a minimum of 150 words, describe your approach to establishing and maintaining behavioral norms, delivering engaging programming and supporting outreach to schools and events.
10

Describe a specific program, interaction, or professional experience in which you recognized and responded to different needs, experiences, or barriers to access. In a minimum of 150 words, explain the situation, your role, and the actions you took. What informed your decisions, and how did you adapt your approach to support access or belonging? Describe any challenges you encountered, how you understood the impact of your actions, and what you learned from the experience. How has this influenced your approach to public service? Please use a real example rather than a hypothetical situation. Examples may come from everyday interactions, programs, teamwork, or efforts to improve services and practices.
Required Question