Substitute Reference Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $26.56 - $37.38 Hourly
Location : Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: TEMPORARY/SUBSTITUTE
Job Number: 2500254
Division: Office of Instruction
Department: Office of Instruction
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CSEA-California School Employees Association
About College of the Desert
The College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 20,000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college, we offer Associates Degree for Transfer, both in Art and Sciences, Associates Degrees, and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.
College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership, staff, and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including racially and ethnically diverse students, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students of all ages, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, "dreamers", and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.
When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences, emphasizes collaboration, and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.
Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley? Visit the links below.
Who We Want:
College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

• Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
• Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
• Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
• Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and
• Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

BASIC FUNCTION
Under the primary direction of the Coordinator of Library Services, the Library Specialist will perform more complex and technical clerical library duties relating to the circulation of library Reserve and Interlibrary loan materials, provide basic reference service and assist library patrons in locating materials and information in print, microform and electronic formats, and perform more complex and technical duties relating to the ordering, processing, cataloging and distribution of books and other library materials.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents in the Library Specialist classification are assigned more complex and technical duties involving the circulation of Reserve and Interlibrary loan materials, assisting library users and staff with research, providing basic reference assistance and performing other duties associated with the ordering, processing, cataloging and maintenance of books and other library materials. Incumbents in the Library Technician classification perform duties in ordering, processing and circulating Reserve and Interlibrary loan materials.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Perform varied technical and clerical duties relating to the circulation of library Reserve and Interlibrary loan materials. E
• Under the supervision of the Reference Librarian, assist patrons in using research and reference sources encompassing a wide range of topics. E
• Assist in the processing of books, periodicals and other library materials. Check in, process and shelve periodicals, microfilm, and newspapers; contact vendors as necessary to claim missing issues. Receive books and supplies, check items for damage and compare to items listed on invoices, identify discrepancies, reconcile differences with vendors. E
• Assist patrons in the use of all patron-based library equipment including electronic catalogs, videotape players, photocopiers, microform reader/printers and compact disc players. Perform basic maintenance on library equipment such as replacing toner cartridges on printers, photocopiers and fax machines, and restocking paper in all equipment as necessary. Maintain records of microfiche, photocopier and printer usage. E
• Operate computers to perform a wide variety of library duties such as processing interlibrary loan requests, accessing student records to place and release holds from records, accessing all the library's informational databases, and entering and removing data on the library catalog. E
• Operate library catalog (DRA) and OCLC systems to locate, copy and edit bibliographic records, produce shelf list cards and update records. Maintain shelf list of library collection (LC catalog cards).
• Perform inventories of library supplies and materials; order supplies when necessary. Type requisitions, purchase orders, and work orders as necessary. E
• Perform in stack maintenance including shelf reading, stack shifting, collection weeding, etc. Assist librarians in weeding collection of obsolete, damaged and withdrawn items. Process for withdrawal all periodical issues no longer appropriate to the collection; discard these issues. E
• Perform various technical and clerical duties related to the acquisition and distribution of materials including verifying bibliographic information, ordering new materials, adding catalog records of new materials to library system, withdraw records from catalog when materials are deselected. E
• Prepare books for circulation, affix labels and pockets, security strip, property stamp, provide jacket protectors, barcodes, etc. Perform various repairs to books including rebuilding spines, tipping-in pages, and replacing labels, pockets, etc. E
• Prepare and maintain a variety of reports, records and files; open and close files at start and end of fiscal year. Prepare statistical information as requested on addition/deletion of new books and other library materials, interlibrary loan transactions, library equipment usage, etc. E
• Assist in the collection and transfer of monies collected from library fines, fees and coin operated and other machines. Assist in the assessment of overdue fines. E
• Open and close library facilities, including entering code to arm and disarm building alarm, turn on and off all patron-based library equipment.
• Assist in scheduling work, training and directing student assistants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years of increasingly responsible library experience.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of : Basic library methods, practices and procedures; principles and methods of circulating books and other library materials; principles and methods of ordering, receiving, processing, and shelving materials; principles and methods of maintaining records of library materials; alphabetical and numerical filing systems; basic college library reference sources; methods and procedures of operating computers and related equipment; basic procedures of computer use, including accessing Internet, database searching, and various other computer programs; telephone techniques and etiquette; correct English usage including grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy with students, staff, and the public from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Ability to : Perform technical library duties; use the Library of Congress Classification system; compare names and numbers rapidly and accurately; under the direction of a librarian, assist student, faculty, staff and the public with basic reference and research questions; compile statistical reports; accurately organize and maintain a variety of records; evaluate work assignments and make responsible, independent judgments; train and provide work direction to others; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work cooperatively with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; operate computers with a wide variety of software applications; operate other office equipment; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; reach overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; lift moderately heavy objects.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Classified Bargaining Unit Position
• Classified Staff Salary Range 9
• Retirement System: (upon meeting eligibility criteria)
• Salary placement is contingent on education, experience, and department budget.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Environment : Library environment. Constant interruptions.
SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

• Regular Library Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Substitute schedule is contingent upon daily operational needs.
• The primary location is Palm Desert Campus.
• The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:
To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

• Online Application: All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.
• Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.
• Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.

OPTIONAL UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:

• College Transcripts: Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration, degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e., NACES agency: www.naces.org) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION:

• List of References: References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.
• Employment is contingent on residence in California.

• Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
• All submitted materials become the property of College of the Desert Community College District and will not be returned or copied and will be considered for this position only.

• Salary placement will be contingent on all materials submitted for this position.

• Applicant bears the sole responsibility for ensuring that the application package is complete when submitted.
• All travel arrangements will be at applicant's expense.
• Application materials must be received by the deadline. Application materials received after the closing deadline will not be accepted.
• For online application, information, and instructions, visit the College of the Desert job opportunities website at https:// or call (760) 773-2529.

• FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment - Frequently Asked Questions.

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:
DISTRICT RIGHTS: College of the Desert reserves the right to re-open, re-advertise, delay, or cancel filling this position.
The SELECTED CANDIDATE is required to complete the following prior to employment:

• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidate's expense (Clearance must be received prior to the first day of employment).
• Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States(Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.) A Social Security Card will be required for payroll processing.
• Participate in a new hire onboarding, completing all required tasks and forms.
• May be required to complete a fitness for duty physical exam based on the job description, as applicable.

Salary Placement: Contingent on education, experience, and department budget. All materials must be provided at the time of ...