Salary : $107,744.00 - $134,700.80 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: K003N
Department: County Library
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 39

Description
San Mateo County Libraries is seeking candidates for the position of Senior Librarian!

While this recruitment may be used for additional and future Senior Librarian openings throughout San Mateo County Libraries, we are currently seeking to fill two immediate vacancies: one in our Access Services Division based in San Mateo, and one at the North Fair Oaks Library in Redwood City. Library staff are required to work weekends and evenings.

• Access Services Senior Librarian: Dedicated to enhancing access to library collections, you will ensure that our library's acquisitions are both relevant and easily accessible, while promoting equity in our community. You will play a pivotal role in streamlining operational processes, expanding our library's cardholder base, and increasing library engagement, all while guiding and mentoring a close-knit team of staff members.

• Community Library Senior Librarian: Dedicated to strengthening community connections, you will help ensure that our library is a trusted resource for everyone. Through excellent programming, public service, outreach, and partnerships, you will help create an inclusive environment where all community members feel welcome and supported. You will also contribute to guiding, supporting, and mentoring a creative team of library staff.

We respect, value, and celebrate our community's diversity. Because of the diversity of the communities we serve, bilingual language skills (Mandarin, Cantonese, or Spanish) are strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate & Duties - The ideal candidate will be:

• Passionate about the library's vision and enthusiastic about inspiring a team to apply it to daily operations and goal setting.
• Engaged and skilled in every aspect of public libraries, able to juggle many tasks and model excellence in library operations.
• Excited about new projects and challenges and energized by working in a rapidly changing environment.
• A creative problem solver who has great ideas to share with others.
• A positive, enthusiastic librarian with strong interpersonal and advanced technological skills.
• Skilled at promoting library services to the community through education and outreach.
• A relationship builder who is skilled at creating impactful community partnerships with diverse groups.
• Skilled at recruiting, supervising, and retaining a diverse and talented team of staff.
• An excellent communicator, able to adjust communication styles for a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Passionate about staying ahead of library trends and presenting to colleagues locally and nationally.
• A good listener and communicator, with a positive attitude, who enjoys working cooperatively as a team member and places top priority on customer service.
• Able to foster a welcoming and inclusive library environment through user-centered and equitable patron service practices and consistent staff development.
• Passionate and creative about marketing and able to advocate for clear campaigns with measurable goals to provide the greatest level of service to our community members.
• Ensuring our practices and guidelines are centered on community needs and are regularly updated with corresponding training for all public services staff.
• Able to collect and rigorously interpret data related to library performance and submit statistical reports regularly.
• An advocate for the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement, recognizing that freedom of access is a fundamental tenet of a public library.

San Mateo County Libraries is a Joint Powers Authority composed of the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. We serve approximately 280,000 residents and cover a service area of 351 square miles. Our 13 community libraries are open 7 days per week and are vibrant hubs for learning, creativity, connection, and exploration.

Our mission is simple and powerful: Together, we build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity.

From book clubs to bike clinics, video game design to resume workshops, Mid-Autumn Festivals to salsa tastings-our libraries offer a rich mix of programs and events that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the people we serve. Whether you're seeking inspiration, information, or a sense of belonging, San Mateo County Libraries is where community comes to thrive.

To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit www.smcl.org
NOTE: The eligible list generated by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies throughout San Mateo County Libraries.
Qualifications

Education: Master's of Library Science or recognized equivalent degree, from an American Library Association-accredited college or university.

Experience: Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is two to three years of experience as a librarian, or a combination of library and supervision experience.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of functional supervision including organizing and coordinating activities.
• Principles of staff supervision including work planning, scheduling, evaluation, employee training, and performance coaching.
• Best practices in assessing the diverse composition of communities and their needs.
• Principles of customer service.
• Library values, ethics, and purposes.
• Best practices in library programming, services, outreach, organization, and procedures.
• Principles of library materials selection and current knowledge of adult, teen, and/or children's literature, film, and/or music.
• Technology related to library and general office functions, as well as best practices for troubleshooting.

Skill/Ability to:

• Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff, the public, and community organizations.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Analyze library problems and implement their solutions.
• Lead efforts for improvement and change.
• Plan and develop services and programs.
• Plan and supervise the work of staff, and provide training as needed.
• Develop library programs/projects.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Conduct needs assessments.
• Work with a variety of library and general office technologies and assist in the implementation of new technologies.
• Learn and grow in a changing environment.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the"Apply"button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.orgto apply.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULEFinal Filing Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 11:59 PM PSTApplication Screening: September 14 - 18, 2026Civil Service Panel Interview: October 6 and/or 7, 2026

We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise and specific, but please share enough information for us to evaluate your qualifications.Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

A Master's Degree in Library Science (or recognized equivalent degree) from an American Library Association-accredited college or university is required for this position. Do you have a Master's Degree in Library Science or a recognized equivalent degree from an American Library Association-accredited college or university? (A "no" response will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

• Yes
• No

03

If you have a recognized equivalent degree, please explain.
04

Summarize your background and experiences that have prepared you for this position, and share the reasons why you are highly qualified. Please highlight one major professional accomplishment you are proud of.
05

Describe an innovative project that you were a part of. Include your role in the project, your contributions, and the impact they had on the overall outcome of the project.
06

How would you lead and motivate staff to deliver excellent customer service? Please describe the strategies you would use to maintain staff engagement and consistently provide a positive customer experience.
07

The ability to read, speak, and write fluently in English and Spanish, English and Cantonese, and/or English and Mandarin is preferred for these positions, but not required. Please indicate in what languages (other than English) you are fluent.(If you are not bilingual, please answer "N/A" to this question.)
08

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• Civic Match
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please spec