Supervising Librarian - Outreach Services

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The mission of the Library Department is to provide information services, reading materials, and educational resources to residents of all ages. Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) serves a population of 110,000 with more than 40,000 cardholders. Under an Agreement for Operation of a County-Wide Free Library System, in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara, the library also administers Library facilities and services in a County branch library Montecito. Public funding for operations of the library system is received from the City of Santa Barbara, and the County of Santa Barbara. Additional revenue sources may include private gifts and donations, financial assistance from the Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library groups, grants and in-kind goods and services. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with strong leadership skills and experience, gained through hands-on work in a fast-paced, collaborative and creative library environment. Read more about the Library Department here.

The City of Santa Barbara Library Department is seeking an innovative and dynamic Supervising Librarian for Outreach Services to oversee and coordinate the activities of the the Library on the Go outreach vehicle and services to underserved members of the community in Santa Barbara and the delivery of library services beyond the walls of the Library facilities.

Supervising Librarian for Outreach Services is a member of the Library’s supervisor team, overseeing librarians, paraprofessional staff, and grant-funded staff under direction from the Library Services Manager. The position works closely with the entire supervisor team, including the Supervising Librarian for Adult Services, Senior Librarian for Youth and Family Services, Senior Librarian for Collections and Reader Services, Library Information and Technology Supervisor, and Senior Librarian for Patron Services. This position also collaborates with the Marketing Coordinator on a number of initiatives to raise the profile of the library in the community and reach new audiences with programs and services.

The Library’s Outreach services include:

Professional library work could include oversight, planning, quality assurance, and operational efficiency for outreach services for all ages, marketing and communications related to the area of focus, collection management oversight and partnership development. Other professional responsibilities may include: participation in strategic planning; public presentations; grant funding development and management; development of specialized collection(s) materials and evaluation of collection/customer needs, interests and requests; organizing and leading staff training; gathering, analyzing, and reporting data and statistics, and other work as required.

Knowledge of: Public Library services, organization, and equipment; program development, promotion and implementation; methods and principles of supervision and leadership; methods of collection development; and general and specialized research techniques; best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion in libraries; cultural humility and cultural competence.

Skill In: Leading professional, paraprofessional and operational staff; establishing appropriate professional relationships; library program planning and promotion; project management; collection development; technical reference work; using and maintaining library equipment and tools; volunteer coordination; literacy instruction; and technology instruction.

Ability to: Effectively lead a work unit to provide quality public service; lead and supervise technical staff in complex simultaneous projects; prepare and maintain a variety of reports and records; communicate effectively in oral and written form; supervise staff; explain rules, regulations, procedures and work effectively with a variety of library patrons; make library procedures and policy decisions in accordance with manager's guidelines; plan, schedule, and complete projects efficiently and in accordance with City quality standards; analyze and interpret research and formulate appropriate action plans; prepare clear and concise program documentation, user procedures, and other written materials; exercise independent judgment within established guidelines; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, end users, vendors, and contractors

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional library experience including one (1) year of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

The ideal candidate should have well-rounded public library experience in the area of outreach services, with a focus on underserved communities of all ages; two (2) years of supervisory experience, and experience in managing grants. The ability to speak Spanish is highly desired.

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in library or information science.

California driver's license at time of appointment.

Availability to work some evening and weekend hours is required.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment. A Background Check is required for all positions.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Library Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.