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SENIOR LIBRARY ASSISTANT

$66,804 - $81,192 Annually (DOE/DOQ)

Plus excellent benefits

 

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Apply by Friday, September 12, 2025,  at 5:00 pm

 

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2024-2025 annual budget of approximately $180 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment. 

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience. 

 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Library and Recreation Department is comprised of two divisions, Library and Recreation & Childcare, that are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of San Rafael residents. The Department’s mission is to enrich the community through discovery, learning, and play, and strives to maximize the delivery of strategically aligned programs and services to provide the highest value for the community.

The Library Division operates with a $4.4 million budget and 22 full-time employees in fiscal year 2024/2025. The San Rafael Public Library consists of three branches—Downtown, Pickleweed, and Northgate—and is part of the MARINet consortium. Exciting projects include a $3 million modernization of the Downtown branch, set for completion by July 2025, and a $2 million renovation of the Pickleweed branch, with construction beginning in August 2025. Additionally, the City is planning a new, joint Library and Community Center at Albert Park, while also focusing on operational improvements and championing innovative library programs and services.

THE POSITION

The Senior Library Assistant performs the most complex paraprofessional library work; assists patrons; implements programs, outreach, and marketing; supervises volunteer or part-time staff within a designated service area; and provides lead direction to other Library Assistants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Including but not limited to)

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive.  CLICK HERE for the full job description.

• Perform advanced work related to the circulation of materials both physically and in the Integrated Library System.  
• Provide a range of services to patrons, including complex account and circulation requests; mid-level reference and readers' advisory; and advanced assistance with accessing library materials, technology, and resources.
• Enforce library guidelines and policies to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all library visitors.
• May implement and lead library programs, events, and volunteers.
• May assist with library marketing and promotional efforts.
• May occasionally lead outreach visits outside the library at events and to community partners to present and promote library services.
• Perform special projects related to maintenance and improvement of library services and collections.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skill and ability outlined  in the job spec is:  

• High School diploma or certified equivalent, AND 
• At least four (4) years of experience comparable to the Library Assistant classification series at the City of San Rafael.  
• College level course work in library science is desirable and may substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• While possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is not required, incumbents may need to report to different job sites and travel to offsite outreach, events, etc.  
• Ability to report to different locations during the workday to perform the essential functions of the position may be required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  the employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel crouch, or crawl and smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works at a computer station.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

The San Mateo County Libraries are looking for qualified candidates for the position of Contract Administrator I/II. 

We’re seeking a detail-oriented and proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. If you're excited about improving systems, supporting community-serving programs, and ensuring operational excellence, this is a great opportunity to join an award-winning, forward-thinking organization.

As a Contract Administrator, you will coordinate and manage the Libraries' contracts systems, working closely with division managers, vendors, and department leadership to ensure smooth and compliant procurement and contracting processes. This includes developing competitive processes; preparing negotiating, monitoring, and amending contracts; managing service provider relationships; developing internal resources to ease procurement processes; and monitoring vendor spending to ensure compliance with the Libraries' procurement policy. 

Working under the direction of the Library Finance Manager, you’ll help advance systemwide initiatives, strengthen vendor partnerships, and support innovative programs that directly impact our communities. This role offers the opportunity to combine strong analytical skills with mission-driven work in a library system committed to equity, innovation, and excellence.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Contract Administrator I is the entry and first working level class in the Contract Administrator series. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents perform basic contract administration duties while learning County and programmatic policies, procedures, and guidelines. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This class is flexibly staffed with the Contract Administrator II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency, which meets the qualifications of the higher-level class.

Contract Administrator II is the fully experienced, journey-level class in this series, capable of independently performing the full range of contract administration duties. Employees are normally given substantial latitude in determining approach, procedures, systems, and methods in accomplishing the work goals. They make basic programmatic decisions that require the exercise of independent judgment and are responsible for coordinating multiple functions or processes. Incumbents at this level are typically assigned the more complex contracts.

 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Support and/or lead complex procurement processes by applying knowledge of spending thresholds and competitive requirements, and County policies.
• Draft clear and comprehensive purchasing documents, including scopes of work, contracts, and amendments.
• Monitor and coordinate workflows for multiple contracts and competitive processes, ensuring timely progress and attention to detail.
• Analyze vendor data, synthesize reports, and identify areas requiring follow-up or escalation.
• Create tools and resources to support staff in adopting policies, including initiatives like the Library’s Small Business First Policy.
• Leverage procurement platforms like Coupa to streamline purchasing, including use of punchouts, write-in tabs, and catalogs.
• Administer purchasing systems by coordinating user access, maintaining system settings, and resolving technical issues.
• Communicate clearly and professionally across teams to provide support, answer questions, and help resolve contract-related issues.
• Apply sound judgment to categorize procurement activity and ensure alignment with applicable policies and procedures.
• Collaborate across teams to support financial system transitions, vendor coordination, and invoice documentation requirements 

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Coordinate the full lifecycle of contract development and amendments in collaboration with division managers, including drafting scopes of work, facilitating formal competitive processes, securing approvals, and maintaining comprehensive contract files.
• Provide technical guidance on procurement requirements and thresholds.
• Ensure compliance with insurance, credentials, service plans, and payment schedules.
• Conduct quarterly vendor monitoring through OFAS report analysis and escalate findings to management.
• Support adoption of Library procurement policies and tools, including Small Business First and Coupa features.
• Serve as Coupa Admin to manage backend settings (e.g., user access, chart of accounts, commodities) and support staff with troubleshooting.
• Monitor contracts and procurement transactions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely completion.
• Assist with the transition to invoice automation, including vendor communication and documentation of invoice support.
• Review, authorize, and manage contract payments and invoices.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and consultation to staff and partners.
• Maintain current knowledge of contract and procurement regulations.
• Develop RFPs, competitive solicitations, and agreements in line with organizational goals.
• Represent the Libraries at meetings and committees as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Contract Administrator I:  Two years of professional-level administrative or programmatic experience, primarily in the area of contract administration in a community services or related setting.  

Contract Administrator II:  Four years of professional-level administrative or programmatic experience, primarily in the area of contract administration in a community services or related setting.
 

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles and practices of the program areas to which assigned.
• Principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, and monitoring, including budgeting and financial record keeping.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of administrative and programmatic research and analysis. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, and County and program policies and guidelines. 
• Computer applications related to the work. 
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Skill/Ability to:

• Develop and evaluate proposals and negotiate contracts and agreements.
• Develop, monitor, and analyze budgets and program performance.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement administrative and programmatic research and analysis. 
• Analyze, interpret, and apply various regulations and requirements.
• Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with grantors, subcontractors, County staff, elected and appointed officials, the public, and others.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret data using research techniques; draw sound conclusions and prepare and present effective reports regarding findings and recommendations. 
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.

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.org to apply.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: June 2 - 6, 2025
Civil Service Panel Interviews: June 13, 2025