Posting number: 202601701
Department: Library
Job classification: Literacy Program Specialist
Posting type: Open
Categories: Library
The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) consists of more than 600 employees, a 23% bilingual workforce, and has 24 branch libraries across San José, in addition to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is the city’s main library jointly operated through a unique partnership with San José State University. SJPL serves a diverse community of roughly one-million residents and currently has nearly 700,000 library members. It annually attracts over 6 million visitors (pre-pandemic) and circulates more than 8 million items per year.
Over the past few years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core. In addition to providing library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the SJ Access digital equity initiative, which has become the number one provider of free public access to Wi-Fi connectivity, tech device lending, and multi-lingual digital literacy programs and support. SJPL is led by Jill Bourne, City Librarian, who was nationally recognized in 2017 as Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.”
SJPL enriches lives by fostering lifelong learning and ensuring that every member of the community has access to a vast array of ideas and information. The library department is a place where people do great work and make a difference in our community. To see examples of SJPL’s work and learn more about its impact, visit www.sjpl.org. Join us to make a difference!
The Library Department is seeking four (3) Literacy Program Specialists (LPS) to join our team and change the lives of those we serve! The ideal candidate for these positions will understand, support, practice and promote the Mission, Vision, & Values statements of the City of San José and the library; demonstrate leadership and a commitment to active customer service; have knowledge of current literacy technology and trends; have experience working with a diverse community and staff; and enjoy working in a fast-paced, innovative team environment.
Literacy Program Specialists are community connectors. They are responsible for coordinating programs and services provided by the library. They identify community needs, collaborate with partner organizations, and guide library customers to information and helpful resources. Specialists are responsible for performing a variety of professional duties including: implementing grants; planning/implementing or finding partners for library programs; conducting community outreach; evaluating the effectiveness of programs, computer software, and online learning tools; formulating a strong partnership with other Library units (Family Learning Centers, Early Education, Expanded Learning, College and Career Pathways, Digital Empowerment, and SJPL Works); and having knowledge of current literacy trends. These positions may include evenings and weekend shifts. Bilingual Skills Preferred.
The salary range for Literacy Program Specialist is approximately $91,094.64 - $110,532.24 annually. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
We are currently recruiting Literacy Program Specialists who are detail orientation and have strong communication skills to implement the City’s Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City’s Education Policy.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other units (such as Early Education, College and Career Pathways, English as a Second Language (ESL) and/ or Adult Literacy). If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
College and Career Pathways Specialist
SJPL is seeking a passionate and community-driven Literacy Program Specialist to join the College and Career Pathways Unit team. SJPL is seeking a passionate and community-driven Literacy Program Specialist to join the College and Career Pathways Unit team. The position will focus on ensuring the ongoing success of the Career Online High School program and promoting opportunities for community members to make progress on their educational and career goals. The ideal candidate would possess a strong commitment to serving youth and adults who want to improve their lives through educational attainment. The candidate should be a problem solver with strong data management and organizational skills, able to lead special projects, and handle customer questions and support requests. Responsibilities include program coordination and data management, partnership development with organizations focused on post-secondary pathways and institutions of higher education, and organizing and conducting community outreach. development with organizations focused on post-secondary pathways and institutions of higher education, and organizing and conducting community outreach.
ESL and Workforce Development Grant Coordinator (Overstrength)*
SJPL is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven specialist to coordinate, expand, and evaluate citywide adult education, ESL, workforce development, and digital inclusion initiatives aligned with the evolving needs of our diverse community. This position will serve as the program lead for the prestigious Carnegie grant-funded initiative, Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy, strengthening SJPL's role in civic education, economic mobility, and lifelong learning.
This strategic role combines program management, instructional design, grant implementation, cross-sector partnership development, volunteer and staff training, community engagement, and outcome evaluation to advance equitable educational and workforce opportunities for San José residents. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage complex projects, build collaborative partnerships, develop innovative learning models, analyze program outcomes, and adapt initiatives to meet changing community and grant priorities.
The ideal candidate will be skilled in ESL assessment, curriculum development, adult learning principles, workforce readiness, cross-cultural communication, grant management, data-driven program evaluation, and community engagement, while demonstrating exceptional organizational skills, initiative, collaboration, and a strong commitment to educational equity.
Family, Friend and Neighbor Caregiver Support Network
(Overstrength)*
SJPL is seeking a passionate, community-focused, and experienced Literacy program specialist to join the Early Education team. This role will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the day-to-day implementation of the FFN Caregiver Support Network. This position will plan and facilitate trainings, workshops, peer learning opportunities, and special events; recruit, engage, and support caregiver participants; Coordinate program logistics, communications, schedules, materials, and participant support; and, monitor program performance through data collection, participant tracking, evaluation, and reporting. The ideal candidate will be skilled in cross-cultural communication, program evaluation, and community engagement.
*These Overstrength positions are anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension depending on program needs and available funding.
Education and Experience
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in literacy, education, social or human services, or related field AND one (1) year experience working in a literacy program.
Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices; including programming materials, techniques, methodologies and/or principles and practices of adult literacy programs; tutoring techniques and assessment; handling sensitive and confidential information; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing, demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution
Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
Multi-tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
Reliability- Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for these vacancies or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Chris Caruthers at Chris.caruthers@sanjoseca.gov
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San José has been a leader driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San José stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world's leading center of technology innovation. San José is the 10th largest in the U.S., and is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work, live, play and learn.
San José is located in Santa Clara County at the southern edge of the San Francisco Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, 390 miles north of Los Angeles. The local weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and an average annual temperature of 70 degrees.
The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.
