Salary : $115,222.22 - $138,812.13 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-01-2207
Department: Library
Division: Art and Music
Opening Date: 05/11/2026
Closing Date: 6/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEYis a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
See why staff stay at the City of Berkeley:
JOB OPPORTUNITYContinuous Recruitment: Applications will be reviewed continuously to fill vacancies throughout the year. Our next administrative review will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026.The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Supervising Librarian at the Berkeley Public Library! In this role, you will be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the physical facility; supervision, scheduling, performance management, and professional development of professional, technical, and support staff; and the generation and execution of creative, community-focused programmatic efforts. You will also provide direct public service to the library's users, delivering reference and reader advisory services to the community, as well as helping maintain a welcoming library environment for all users. You will represent Berkeley Public Library in meetings with the public, citizen groups, and other agencies. Join the Berkeley Public Library team and help us fulfill our mission to empower, inspire, and eliminate barriers with resources and experience!
The Library has two current Supervising Librarian openings, one in our Art and Music division and one in our Reference division. Both positions are located at our Central Library Branch.
See the full job description here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSA typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is equivalent to graduation from college or university with a Master's degree in Library Sciences and three (3) years of experience as a professional librarian. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.
Other requirements include the ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program's needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required. Must be able to work evenings and weekends.
In addition to qualifications above, the ideal candidate will have lead or supervisory experience.
APPLICATION PROCESSTo be part of the next administrative review for this position, applications must be received by Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT and must include a completed application and resume. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESSThe exam process will include, but may not be limited to:
- Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
- Competitive review and assessment of the applicant's education, training, and experience (Training & Experience)
- Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral, or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing, and analytical skills; problem-solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability, or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
RetirementCalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical PlansEmployees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental PlanThe City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Vision PlanThe City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.
Life InsuranceThe City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick LeaveEmployees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
VacationNew employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.
Holidays15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform AllowanceEmployees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
01
I acknowledge that this position requires that I am available to work evening and weekend shifts.
02
Do you possess a Master's Degree in Library Science?
03
How many years of experience do you have as a professional librarian?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 2
- 2 years but less than 3
- 3 or more years
04
In 200-300 words, describe your experience supervising the work of others in a public library or other busy, fast-paced customer-service-oriented setting.
05
In 300-500 words, describe a time when you led a change that you knew was going to be unpopular with your direct reports. How did you help get them on board? What was the outcome?
06
In 300-400 words, describe tactics and strategies that you have used successfully to cultivate a collaborative team in a union setting. What challenges did you face?
Required Question