Special Assistant, Library

Job Description

Position/Program Information

Exam Number

Q8348F

Type of Recruitment

We welcome applications from anyone.

Application Filing Period

The application filing period will begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and will remain open continuously. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

Join Us and Make an Impact

LA County Library provides services to 3.4 million people over 3,000 square miles. It operates 86 libraries, 4 Cultural Resource Centers, and a mobile fleet consisting of 15 vehicles. This fleet includes 4 Bookmobiles, 6 MakMo's (maker mobiles), 3 Reading Machines (early literacy vehicles), and 2 mobile outreach vehicles.

LA County Library strives to build and keep a skilled and diverse staff where employees’ outstanding qualities are respected and appreciated. This approach helps us address the different needs of the varied customers we serve. The library supports an inclusive environment that encourages cooperation, adaptability, and fairness, allowing everyone to engage fully and contribute their best.

The Team Member We Are Looking For

We are looking for a Special Assistant, Library who is organized, dependable, and supports the department's mission. The ideal candidate communicates effectively, builds positive relationships, and is dedicated to serving the community.

Benefit Information

For details regarding benefits offered by County of Los Angeles, kindly follow this link: Benefits

Essential Job Functions

In the role of Special Assistant, Library, you will:

• Design, develop, and implement departmental objectives, goals, programs, policies, events, and curricula in relation to provision of public services and customer education and engagement.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate plans, processes, and procedures to achieve established goals and objectives in accordance with departmental standards.
• Advocate for the perspective of the division during the development of new library policies, programs, strategies, events, and procedures.
• Under the general direction of the Assistant Director, coordinate and execute special projects and studies that address complex issues impacting departmental operations.
• Plan and direct public relations events to promote library services and enhance community and customer engagement.
• Serve as an operational liaison between divisions, and establishes partnerships with County departments, agencies, and jurisdictions to support collaborative initiatives.
• Analyze and evaluate the impact of new or proposed legislation and programs on departmental operations and goals.
• Develop and manage the issuance of procedural manuals, statistical data reports, and highly sensitive documents to facilitate internal planning, operations, and communication between divisions.
• Plan, implement, and oversee educational programs, events, and joint initiatives, such as after-school programs, literacy initiatives, and art workshops tailored to various demographics, including children, teens, adults, older adults, English language learners, etc.
• Prepare budget proposals and oversee the procurement of essential equipment and supplies to support library services and programs.
• Plan, assign, and oversee the work of assigned staff, including providing training and managing performance; also oversee other staffing assignments within the division to support efficient operations.
• Handle sensitive or complex inquiries and complaints through written and verbal communication and prepare official correspondence and supporting documents to maintain clarity and alignment with organizational communication standards.

Requirements

There are two (2) options to qualify:

Option I: Three years of work experience in a staff capacity* analyzing organizational structure, procedures, programs, budgets, or personnel matters, and making recommendations for the solution of related problems.

• At least one (1) year of the required experience must have been in a library system, educational environment, community-based organization, or closely related field**.

• One (1) year of staff capacity experience may be substituted with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university***.

Option II: Two years of experience at the level of**** the Los Angeles County class of Librarian IV***** performing any of the following:

• managing a large sized community library
• coordinating a regional specialized library service
• performing specialized professional library work over a department-wide program
• performing technical support functions.

Desirable Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education, Arts Administration, Visual or Performing Arts, Cultural Studies, Museums Studies, or a closely related field.
• Experience overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive arts, cultural, and community programs, such as arts, and museum education, cultural programs, festivals, and community events.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class 2 - Light

This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirement Information:

No Out-of-Class experience or withhold will be allowed. Required experience/education must be fully met at the time of filing and clearly indicated on the application.

*Staff capacity is defined as serving in an advisory and program support capacity to line managers and administrators by independently conducting research, analysis, evaluation, and making recommendations regarding the development, coordination, implementation, and improvement of educational programs, curriculum, training, initiatives, community education efforts, or instructional services. Work includes assessing program needs, developing recommendations, evaluating programs effectiveness, and providing technical guidance and administrative support to advance organizational goals and educational objectives.

**Closely related fields include organizations or agencies that provide public, educational, cultural, governmental, nonprofit, or community-based services.

***To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to LibraryExams@library.lacounty.gov within seven (7) days of filing your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf .

We do not accept password-protected documents or cloud-based links. Ensure documents are unlocked or downloaded before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

****At the level of: You may still qualify even if your job title isn’t exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level, meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.

*****For a complete description of County of Los Angeles Librarian IV classification, kindly follow this link: 8337 .

Additional Information

Our Assessment Process

The assessment will consist of a Training & Experience (T&E) Evaluation: This assessment will evaluate the training, experience, education, and desirable qualifications you provided in the supplemental questionnaire, and it is worth 100% of your total score.

Additional credit may be given to applicants who possess the desirable qualifications.

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the eligible list.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Eligibility and Vacancy

Applicants who passed the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in LA County Library as they occur.

Available Shift

Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, and weekends.

Application and Filing

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking the green "Apply" button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into www.governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail:

• libraryexams@library.lacounty.gov
• noreply@governmentjobs.com
• info@governmentjobs.com
• mandrade@library.lacounty.gov
• lcontreras@library.lacounty.gov
• cgarcia@library.lacounty.gov

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to www.governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Social Security Number

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

No Sharing of User ID and Password

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Computer & Internet Access at Public Libraries

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Refer to their website for updated information at Library Locator - LA County Library .

Testing Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, contact the Testing Accommodations Coordinator/Lizette Contreras at lcontreras@library.lacounty.gov . We require a completed Request for Reasonable Accommodation form as well as supporting documentation from a qualified professional justifying the request. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond and keep you moving through the process.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. LA County Library is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Department Contact Information

Exam Analyst: Lizette Contreras, lcontreras@library.lacounty.gov

Testing Accommodation Email: lcontreras@library.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (562) 940-8477
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

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