Library Assistant III - Multiple Positions na City of Santa Cruz, CA

About the Department

There are currently multiple positions for Library Assistant III for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. These are full-time positions working 40 hours per week that may be utilized to work as assistant branch manager, branch manager, or supervisor for the Bookmobile. Please read under "Current Vacancies" for the positions being recruited for at this time.  The eligibility list established from this recruitment will be used to fill other Library Assistant III vacancies during the life of the list in all branch locations.  The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.  

CURRENT VACANCIES: Library Assistant III to serve as branch manager for the following branches:

Capitola: Capitola is a busy branch for all ages.  There is a city-maintained playground onsite and a robust array of programs within the library.  The Library Assistant III supervises LAIIs and Aides, who provide daily public service. Along with overseeing operational needs, this position works with branch Librarians to create a welcoming and vibrant space for all.

Garfield Park: The Garfield Park branch is housed in a 1915 Carnegie building on the Westside of the City of Santa Cruz.  Although it is a small library, it has a big impact on the neighboring community.  The Library Assistant III supervises LAIIs and Aides who provide daily public service.  This position involves coordinating operational requirements and patron programming in a small space with the branch Librarian.

Live Oak: Live Oak is a beautiful branch library on the edge of Corcoran Lagoon.  This library is a favorite among the Live Oak community and is popular for its Latino cultural programming. The Library Assistant III supervises LAIIs and Aides, who provide daily public service. Along with overseeing operational needs, this position works with branch Librarians to create a welcoming and vibrant space for all.

For information on the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and the various branch locations within the Library System visit Santa Cruz Public Libraries' Website (santacruzpl.org).

Under general supervision, a Library Assistant III is a skilled paraprofessional that requires competency at the Library Assistant II level plus advanced paraprofessional knowledge, skill, and ability.  The Library Assistant III is responsible for the basic, daily operations of a library branch, specialized services or performs as assistant branch manager under the Library Assistant IV at the downtown branch or supervises the operations of the Bookmobile.

Recruitment #26-034

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 11/20/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.  
• To apply, submit:

1. Application - online application only.  Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Weeks of 12/08 and 12/15/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 12/18/25.
• Week of 01/05, 01/12, and/or 01/19/26:  Interviews will be scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise. 

Position Duties

• May be responsible for opening and closing the library facility and for securing the facility, its contents, and premises.
• Assists patrons with any routine activity associated with being in or using the library.
• Provides direct service to the public in finding information in the branch and using collections, computers, and equipment in the library.
• Performs a broad range of tasks in operating the branch such as scheduling staff and handling basic patron, facility and equipment issues.
• Assists in the selection of staff, supervises staff, and conducts performance planning and evaluation of staff.
• Ensures excellent internal and external customer service at the branch or within Collection Management Systems (CMS) or on the Bookmobile.
• Supports and leads teamwork at the branch, CMS or Bookmobile level.
• Monitors activities to ensure compliance with safety, operations standards and protocols and policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with other library staff for services and programs.
• Provides constructive input and feedback within the library system concerning the needs of the public and the effectiveness of services and programs.
• Operates various office machines, computers, and audio visual equipment as required.
• Assists the public with using the virtual branch and its services, such as online question help, online search help, and search consultation by appointment.
• Performs all circulation tasks such as checking-out and checking in materials, retrieving holds, shelving, filing, arranging items in order, processing requests and interlibrary loans.
• Provides paraprofessional-level question-answering and information discovery assistance to the public
• Provides readers’ advisory and consults with librarians for readers’ advisory assistance.
• Efficiently refers questions to librarians from the public according to guidelines.
• Performs follow-up for questions and completes transactions with patrons.
• Efficiently searches the online resources of the library to connect library users with library resources.
• Retrieves, copies, faxes, emails, and otherwise transmits information as part of the question-answering process.
• Performs and oversees customer account transactions including account registrations, fines and fees, the resolution of account disputes and the negotiation of payment plans.
• Performs targeted needs assessments under the general supervision of a professional.
• May direct the work of volunteers.
• Collects prescribed service-area data.
• Responds to community concerns.
• Analyzes service-area data and provides findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• If assigned to CMS, may coordinate the acquisition, receiving, and processing of library materials.
• If assigned to CMS, may supervise staff who perform acquisitions, receiving, and processing duties.
• If assigned to CMS, may communicate with current  and prospective vendors on library’s procedures related to acquisitions and processing, including working with vendors to resolve errors.
• If assigned to the Bookmobile, may drive the Bookmobile and ensures its maintenance schedule.
• May perform any duties of the Library Assistant II.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires frequent sitting, walking, standing, reaching, stooping and repetitive use of hands in the performance of daily activities. Crouching, grasping and twisting is required in the performance of weekly activities. Occasional climbing, working overhead, pushing and pulling, and finger dexterity is required. The position requires near and far vision and normal hearing in the performance of daily activities. The need to lift up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis is required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

• Bachelor’s degree; and
• Two (2) years of experience providing any combination of basic public, technical, and clerical services including circulation, information and ready-reference, reader’s advisory, presentation of programs and collection management.  

 
                        OR

• Associate’s degree; and
• Three (3) years of experience providing any combination of basic public, technical, and clerical services including circulation, information and ready-reference, reader’s advisory, presentation of programs and collection management.  

 
                       OR
 

• High School diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Four (4) years of experience providing any combination of basic public, technical, and clerical services including circulation, information and ready-reference, reader’s advisory, presentation of programs and collection management.  

 
                     OR
 

• Master of Library Information Science (MLIS) degree.  The hiring department will agree to allow the candidate up to six (6) months while in the probationary period to obtain and present the MLIS degree as a condition of employment.

 
 
Knowledge:
 

• Advanced working knowledge of library routines, procedures, and services in the assigned area.
• Basic computer operations needed to access library applications software and productivity tools.
• Concepts and issues concerning the appropriate use of technology by different user groups.
• Practiced knowledge of the information resources of the library system.
• Basic legal issues including user privacy, confidentiality, and copyright.

 
Skills:   

• Adept at using Microsoft Office programs including Word and Excel and Google Docs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with adults and children.

Abilities:   
 

• Transfer information gained from training into the work place.
• Work effectively with patrons and team members of differing socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. 
• Learn and apply conflict management and de-escalation techniques.
• Assist and train users to operate public equipment, connect to the internet, utilize library software applications, and access library services from remote locations.
• Instruct users in basic research procedures, including use of the library’s catalog, general database, and web searching, and locating materials in the library.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of technical problems, and resolve or appropriately refer those problems.
• Access and use basic assistive technologies, where appropriate, to ensure that all users have equitable access to technology.
• Multi-tasks in interacting with the public on the telephone, online, and in person while using the computer to search for information and guide the patron in a search as necessary.
• Make evaluative decisions when referrals are necessary, and use appropriate referral procedures.
• Use good judgment in handling difficult situations.
• Work independently and take initiative.

Licenses and Certificates

•  Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in Spanish, an Asian language or sign language.

Other Qualifications

• Director of Libraries
• Manager System Services and Support
• Library Division Manager
• Librarian II
• Librarian I
• Library Specialist
• Library Assistant IV
• Library Assistant III
• Library Information Specialist 
• Library Assistant II/ Bookmobile Library Assistant
• Library Assistant I

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