Senior Library Assistant (20652638)

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.