<p>Senior Library Assistant</p> <p>Salary</p> <p>$27.17 - $42.31 Hourly</p> <p>Location</p> <p>Library - 100 Civic Center Mission Viejo, CA</p> <p>Job Type</p> <p>Full-time</p> <p>Job Number</p> <p>2526-02</p> <p>Department</p> <p>Library and Cultural Services</p> <p>Opening Date</p> <p>07/15/2025</p> <p>Closing Date</p> <p>7/31/2025 3:00 PM Pacific</p> <ul> <li>Description </li><li>Benefits </li><li>Questions </li></ul> <p>Description</p> <p>City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for</p> <p>Senior Library Assistant</p> <p>$27.17 - $42.31 per hour</p> <p>APPLY BY: 3:00 P.M., THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025</p> <p>The City of Mission Viejo is seeking a motivated professional to join our team as a Senior Library Assistant in the Library & Cultural Services Department. This is a "hands-on" working position that will be responsible for performing both routine and complex paraprofessional and technical library work; conducting and participating in the activities of the circulation function; and providing general information and assistance to the public.</p> <p>Currently, there is one (1) full-time vacancy in the Library & Cultural Services Department assigned to the Mission Viejo Library. This position is scheduled to work: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The schedule may vary depending on the needs of the City including potential weekend assignments or special events. This is an FLSA non-exempt position and is entitled to overtime.</p> <p>The eligibility list established during this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary Senior Library Assistant vacancies.</p> <p>SEARCH SCHEDULE: The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for August 11, 2025. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.</p> <p>Examples of Important and Essential Duties</p> <p>Your impact</p> <p>Senior Library Assistant is the advanced journey-level in the Library Assistant class series and is characterized by a greater degree of decision-making, direct supervisory responsibilities over lower-level classes, and enhanced program management duties. Depending on the area assigned, responsibilities include collection development, readers advisory and reference services, managing and developing special programs and book clubs, scheduling and overseeing library tours, and youth outreach services. Supervisory responsibilities include staff training as well as hiring, planning, assigning, directing and reviewing work of volunteers and lower level employees. This class is distinguished from Librarian in that the latter is a professional-level class and requires a Master's degree; the Senior Library Assistant works under the oversight and direction of a Senior Librarian or other higher-level supervisor.</p> <p>When Assigned to All Functions:</p> <ul> <li>Interprets and applies library policies and procedures for patrons and staff; accesses and retrieves information for library patrons and staff as requested. </li><li>Advises and assists library patrons in the use of library services and tools. </li><li>Performs a wide variety of advanced clerical work including maintaining accurate and detailed records, verifying accuracy of information, researching discrepancies and recording information. </li><li>Composes, types, formats, and proofreads a wide variety of reports, letters, and memoranda. </li><li>Coordinates routine maintenance of library equipment. </li><li>Establishes and maintains effective customer service for library patrons and provides customer service training for staff. </li><li>Manages library support functions. </li><li>May exercise functional and technical supervision over assigned library clerical, part-time, and volunteer personnel. </li><li>May assist in planning, implementing and conducting a variety of library programs and services. </li><li>Performs other duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>When Assigned to the Circulation Services Function:</p> <ul> <li>Supervises the day-to-day activities of the circulation division; coordinates and administers the registration of new borrowers, the collection of fines and fees, the assessment of damaged items, and the interpretation and enforcement of library policies and procedures. </li><li>Responds to and resolves inquiries relating to circulation activities. </li><li>Compiles and maintains statistics; posts, files and maintains a variety of records and reports relating to circulation functions, including cash reports. </li><li>Maintains a variety of library support activities including collection agency and passport acceptance functions. </li><li>Provides circulation-related information and services at outreach events. </li><li>As a Senior Library Assistant, directly hires, schedules, supervises, and evaluates the work of lower-level and volunteer staff. </li><li>Assists in circulation activities as needed. </li></ul> <p>Applicants are encouraged to review the entire Senior Library Assistant job description by visiting the City's website at https://cityofmissionviejo.org.</p> <p>YOUR TEAM</p> <p>The members of the Mission Viejo Library & Cultural Services Department are passionate and dedicated to enriching the lives of their community through literature, art, resources, and programs. They are looking for someone with the same commitment to service and team spirit to join them.</p> <p>The Mission Viejo Library serves over 190,000 total cardholders and circulates over 835,000 items annually. Cultural Services hosts hundreds of classes and provides dozens of programs throughout the year. The Department is passionate about welcoming all members of our community to engage in lifelong learning, literacy, and artistic endeavors.</p> <p>IDEAL CANDIDATE</p> <ul> <li>Strong work experience providing confidential and responsible library circulation related assistance requiring the use of independent judgment, tact and discretion; </li><li>Working knowledge of computer applications such as Word, Excel, SirsiDynix and Outlook with the ability to learn new programs; </li><li>Good oral and written communications skills; </li><li>Ability to remain calm in stressful conditions and take charge and oversee the work of others; </li><li>Possess strong and effective customer service skills in-person, orally and in writing when dealing with customers, Passport Agents, Circulation staff, and volunteers; </li><li>Experience in cash handling; collecting fines and fees, counting change, and reconciliation; and </li><li>Ability to train, supervise and evaluate assigned staff </li></ul> <p>Job Related and Essential Qualifications</p> <p>Knowledge of:</p> <ul> <li>Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone. </li><li>Current consumer technology and devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, etc. </li><li>Applications of integrated library system software. </li><li>Library terminology and practices. </li><li>General principles of public library services and programs. </li><li>Library classification and cataloging, and bibliographic terminology. </li><li>Effective public relations. </li><li>Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment. </li><li>Basic principles and practices of data collection and report preparation. </li><li>Principles and procedures of record keeping. </li><li>Principles of business letter writing. </li><li>English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. </li><li>General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area. </li><li>Safe driving principles and practices. </li><li>Safe work practices. </li><li>Passport processing, rules, and regulations, and all passport services, if assigned as a certified Passport Acceptance Agent. </li></ul> <p>Skill in:</p> <ul> <li>Performing varied library work accurately and under minimal supervision. </li><li>Accessing, retrieving, entering, and updating information using a computer workstation. </li><li>Organizing work and managing projects and programs. </li><li>Learning, interpreting and applying Federal, State, and local, administrative and departmental laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures. </li><li>Scheduling and coordinating projects; setting priorities; adapting to changing priorities. </li><li>Compiling and maintaining a variety of records and files; preparing routine reports. </li><li>Dealing courteously and effectively with the public. </li><li>Supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff. </li><li>Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing. </li><li>Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines. </li><li>Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work. </li><li>Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment, copiers, printers, software programs, and cash register. </li><li>Operating a motor vehicle safely. </li></ul> <p>Experience and Training and License/Certificate</p> <p>Education and Experience:</p> <p>Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:</p> <p>Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade supplemented with college coursework in Library Technology, Social Science, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Business, Graphic Arts or a related field, and four (4) years of experience in library services with a minimum of one (1) year in a lead role. Knowledge of program and collection development experience is highly desirable.</p> <p>When assigned to the Passport Office, must also meet the strict guidelines set by the National Passport Office to be designated a Passport Acceptance Agent.</p> <p>License:</p> <p>A driver's license is not required, but the employee must be able to arrange for reliable and timely transportation to offsite facilities and public outreach events to complete essential functions.</p> <p>Benefits Overview</p> <p>The following description is a general overview of the benefits provided to City of Mission Viejo benefit eligible employees. For specific details, please review the Human Resources Policies, Management and Budget Policies, Administrative Regulations, and official plan documents, or contact the Human Resources office at 949.470.3060.</p> <p>Employees of the City are currently covered under the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). While the City does not participate in the Social Security System, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare insurance coverage.</p> <p>Retirement</p> <p>Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are CalPERS Members -</p> <p>A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo within less than a six (6) month break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 60 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. Employees are required to contribute the full 7% member contribution, plus an additional 1.5% towards the employer rate.</p> <p>A CalPERS member hired by the City of Mission Viejo with a six (6) month or more break in CalPERS covered service, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. The current member contribution is 7.5%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.</p> <p>Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2013, Who Are Not CalPERS Members -</p> <p>Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will participate in the 2% at 62 formula, three-year final compensation, and 1959 survivor benefit. The employee pays the full member contribution, which is variable. The contribution rate for new members is 50% of the normal cost rate which is subject to change. The current member contribution is 7.5%. Employees also contribute 1.5% towards the employer rate.</p> <p>Employer's Contribution Rate -</p> <p>Beginning July 1, 2025, the employer's normal cost contribution rate is 11.96%, which reflects the employee pick-up of 1.5% of the employer rate.</p> <p>Retiree Benefits</p> <p>Employees Hired On or After December 2, 2006 -</p> <p>The City's Retiree Health Savings Plan is a defined contribution health reimbursement plan, which is intended to help employees offset post-retirement healthcare costs by allowing employees to contribute pre-tax dollars from their current wages with an additional contribution from the City, into an account that can be accessed upon retirement. To be eligible for the full benefits of the RHS Plan, an employee must reach age 55 with a total of 15 years of service with the City of Mission Viejo.</p> <p>The RHS Plan requires mandatory contributions from both the employee and the City. Contributions to the RHS Plan will commence for an employee beginning with the first pay period that occurs after the eligible employee's completion of one year of service with the City. Eligible employees will be required to contribute 1.5% of their salary. Deductions will be pre-tax and will be taken from each paycheck.</p> <p>Starting the same date, the City contribution will be $100 per month ($50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time employees, $75 per month ($37.50 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .750 to .999, and $50 per month ($25 per pay period for 24 pay periods) for full-time equivalents of .500 to .749, after the completion of the waiting period. This program is administered by MissionSquare.</p> <p>Payday</p> <p>The City issues paychecks on a biweekly basis (see Payroll Calendar), every other Friday. Benefits are deducted from paychecks twice a month.</p> <p>Holidays</p> <p>The City observes ten (10) paid holidays, including a Winter Closure at City Hall and the Corporation Yard between December 26th and December 31st. Effective July 2025, employees also have two (2) floating holidays per year, which is credited annually on January 1st (on the employee's hire date in the first year) and cannot be carried-over.</p> <p>Comprehensive Annual Leave</p> <p>Provides employees with paid time off for rest and relaxation, personal or family illness, bereavement, and personal business. For non-exempt classifications, 19 days annual accrual during the first year, increasing to 30 days beginning in year ten, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions. For exempt classifications, 24 days annual accrual during the first year, increasing to 35 days beginning in year ten, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions.</p> <p>Jury Duty Leave</p> <p>Employees are granted up to 30 paid days for jury service.</p> <p>Cafeteria Plan</p> <p>The City offers a "cafeteria style" flexible benefits plan, with a fixed monthly contribution provided by the City for all regular and probationary full-time and part-time employees. The benefits plan is covered under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code allowing employees to pay monthly benefit premiums on a pre-tax basis. Benefit coverage begins the first day of the month following thirty-days (30) of continuous regular employment.</p> <p>Medical Insurance</p> <p>The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees, plus their qualified dependents. Employees are required to participate in the City group medical plan.</p> <p>Dental Insurance</p> <p>The City contracts with Delta dental for dental coverage for employees, plus their qualified dependents. There is a choice among two plans, Delta PPO and Delta Care PMI.</p> <p>Vision</p> <p>The City contracts with Vision Service Plan (VSP) for vision coverage for employees, plus their qualified dependents.</p> <p>Life Insurance</p> <p>The City contracts with Voya to provide term life insurance for employees in an amount equal to two (2) times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $400,000. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium. If you need more than the Basic Life insurance the City provides, you may purchase additional coverage by enrolling in the Supplemental Term Life (STL) and AD&D insurance programs.</p> <p>Short and Long Term Disability</p> <p>The City contracts with Voya to provide both short and long-term disability insurance coverage to the employee, in a benefit amount up to 66% of the employee's salary. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium.</p> <p>Flexible Spending Account</p> <p>You can set up one Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health care expenses and another to pay for the cost of caring for your dependents while you are at work. The Health Care Spending Account is a tax-free way to pay any qualified out-of-pocket expenses associated with medical, dental, and vision care for yourself and any family members who are legal dependents. You may contribute up to the IRS allowed maximum, pre-tax, annually to this account. The Dependent Care Spending Account allows you to pay for child or elder care expenses on a tax-free basis. You may contribute up to the IRS allowed maximum annually towards this account. Both types of accounts are administered through Wex Benefits.</p> <p>Employee Assistance Program</p> <p>The City contracts with CONCERN to provide short term counseling benefits, as well as life management services and referrals, to employees, their dependents, and any other members within their household. The City pays the full cost of the monthly premium.</p> <p>Deferred Compensation</p> <p>A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available through Voya. The City matches contributions up to $150 per month.</p> <p>College Savings Plan</p> <p>The City offers payroll deductions to a qualified 529 plan. This voluntary ScholarShare fund, managed by ScholarShare, is a flexible college savings program that helps make saving for a child's higher education easier.</p> <p>Wellness Program</p> <p>The City offers free membership, with some restrictions, to the City's Recreation and Tennis Centers for employees and their resident family members.</p> <p>Tuition Reimbursement</p> <p>Once probation has been successfully completed, the City offers tuition reimbursement to employees for qualified classes and/or programs up to $1,250 per fiscal year, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions. Pre-approval by the employee's supervisor and the City Manager is required.</p> <p>Technology Loan Program</p> <p>Once probation has been successfully completed, an interest-free technology loan is available to employees in an amount up to $3,500, prorated based on the full-time equivalent for all part-time positions.</p> <p>Flexible Workplace Program</p> <p>The Flexible Workplace Program allows an employee to enter into an agreement to schedule portions of their work week away from their regular worksite. Participating employees will work a full workday, but program participation allows times and number of hours in the office to be scheduled differently between individual days of the week. The City Manager must approve all Flexible Workplace Program applications. Program participation is a benefit and not an entitlement and is approved on a case-by-case basis.</p> <p>01</p> <p>Your responses to the following supplemental questions and your ability to follow instructions will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position and will be used in conjunction with your application to evaluate your experience, knowledge and skills. Do not refer to your application and/or resume when completing these questions. Do you understand and acknowledge these instructions?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>02</p> <p>The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for August 11, 2025. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternative dates and it is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly. Further, if you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email from the City of Mission Viejo with instructions to self-schedule yourself for an interview time on August 11, 2025. Failure to self-schedule an interview on time and/or to show up for the interview on time is an automatic fail for this recruitment. Do you understand and acknowledge these instructions?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>03</p> <p>Describe in some detail your experience as it relates to this position. In particular, please describe any experiencing you have working in a library setting, especially with circulation services.</p> <p>04</p> <p>Do you feel comfortable making decisions in the absence of your supervisor? Do you feel comfortable approaching and interceding when the patron looks displeased with information they are hearing from your co-worker? Please provide an example where you had to step in.</p> <p>05</p> <p>How well do you prioritize a change in policy and duties under a fast-paced environment? Please provide an example.</p> <p>06</p> <p>Briefly tell us why you are interested in working for the Mission Viejo Library.</p> <p>07</p> <p>Tell us about your experience in supervising staff or volunteers. What is your management style and why? If you do not have supervisory experience, please tell us how you respond to difficult situations.</p> <p>08</p> <p>Think about an instance where you received excellent customer service in a retail or other non-library setting. What are the characteristics that made the experience positive, and how could those elements be transferred to serving library patrons?</p> <p>09</p> <p>What are your long-term career goals, and how does this role fit into your overall career plan?</p> <p>Required Question</p>