Career Opportunity

Chief Operating Officer (0953 - Deputy Director III) - San Francisco Public Library

Recruitment: RTF0167056-01085486

Published: August 10, 2026

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

About San Francisco Public Library 

The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) connects our diverse communities to learning, opportunities, and each other. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library, an anchor institution in the city's Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branch libraries that serve all neighborhoods throughout the city, two administrative buildings and four bookmobiles. With a collection of more than 5 million items, and circulation exceeding 14.5 million each year, SFPL serves more than 4.5 million visitors annually. 

The library embraces its role as the most democratic of institutions, providing safe and welcoming facilities for all. Through a robust array of services and programs, the library is dedicated to advancing literacy and learning, serving as a cultural amplifier, acting as a catalyst for community engagement, guiding patrons as a thoughtful navigator, and providing essential resources to support healthy, equitable communities. For more information about SFPL, please visit www.sfpl.org.  

SFPL Statement on Racial Equity:

SFPL must build a culture, space and workplace that is accessible and welcoming to all current and future employees and to actively build an environment in which all people regardless of background, identity, or ability, can be equal participants. In this way, our staff at all organizational levels can reflect the communities we serve. A safe, equitable public library is an actively anti-racist public library. Creating an inclusive public library means aligning with the lived realities of people of color. SFPL is committed to advancing racial equity for our workforce and community, and will actively engage in anti-racist practice programs, and collection development in carrying out the Library's mission. 

Why work at SFPL? 

Watch these videos where employees share personal stories and what they love about their work at San Francisco Public Library: Why I Work Here...SFPL

Learn more about career opportunities at Exploring Careers | San Francisco Public Library

Application Opening: August 10, 2026

Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than Friday, September 4, 2026. This recruitment will remain open until filled.

Role description

Position Overview: 

Reporting to the City Librarian, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) position is responsible for assisting the City Librarian in planning, evaluating, and directing the operations of major activities and functions of the Library. The focus of this position will be comprehensive planning and fiscal oversight of the organization’s major support divisions including Finance, Facilities, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Research, Strategy & Analytics.

The essential job duties and responsibilities are as follows: 

1. Oversees the organizational structure, policies and procedures, staff assignments, service levels, and administrative systems for the Library Support Divisions (Finance, Facilities, HR, IT, and Research, Strategy & Analytics) required to accomplish a department's mission and objectives in an effective and efficient manner; directs the identification, evaluation, and implementation of service enhancements; leads change management and project management initiatives across assigned functional areas.
2. Directs the development and implementation of division goals and work plans; manages the allocation of resources for optimal organizational performance.
3. Performs a lead role in implementing the Library’s strategic plan, capital plan, and development and maintenance of a comprehensive technology plan and organizational hiring plan.
4. Consults with the Mayor/Mayor's staff regarding the activities of the functional area assigned and coordinates with other City departments in addressing service needs; may represent the Department before or provide information to commissions, boards, committees and representatives from federal, state and local agencies, organizations, and the media; serves as the department head in their absence.
5. Directs the development and implementation of the capital and operational budget; leads data-informed budget and expenditure decisions for the Library; oversees fiscal activities to ensure expenditures adhere to the approved budget, meet compliance requirements, are fiscally prudent, and are in alignment with the department mission and strategic plan.
6. Collaborates with members of the Library’s executive management team to align strategic priorities and drive cross-functional initiatives that advance organizational goals. 
7. Oversees departmental participation in community benefit districts and centralized city service initiatives and/or multi-agency capital planning efforts.
8. Provides analysis of legislative changes at various levels of government and coordinates local legislation with the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.
9. Coordinates departmental audits, audit responses, and corrective action plans.
10. Develops and implements policies, goals, and objectives, and ensures the enforcement of all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations for the department.

Ideal Candidate: 

The ideal candidate for the Chief Operating Officer is a strategic, mission-driven executive with a proven record of leading complex operations in a dynamic public service environment. They bring broad expertise across finance, facilities management and capital projects, human resources, information technology, strategic planning and/or continuous improvement initiatives. An adaptable, collaborative leader who balances long-term strategy with decisive action, navigate complex stakeholder relationships with diplomacy, and build strong partnerships across SFPL and City departments. Exceptional communication and presentation skills are essential.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, Urban Planning, Business Management, Computer Science, or a closely related field, AND
2. Experience: Five (5) years of managerial experience as a senior manager with oversight of at least one of the functional areas: Finance, Facilities, Information Technology, Strategic Planning, or Human Resources, all of which must include supervision of staff.

Education Substitution: Additional qualifying work experience may be substituted on the required education on a year-for-year basis for up to 2 years. One year is equivalent to thirty (30) or forty-five (45) quarter units.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

One (1) year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications: 

The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Public policy, Law, or closely related field.
• Possess the managerial experience described above, with managerial experience in more than one functional areas.   
• Prior municipal government experience working within the City & County of San Francisco.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with public speaking and making public presentations; strong group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing work, directing tasks independently, maintaining strong attention to detail, and managing competing priorities to meet external timelines.
• Able to quickly pivot with changing priorities and maintain a professional and calm demeanor under pressure and amid high-stress situations.
• Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships with high emotional intelligence and diplomacy.
• Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of division and department leadership and senior staff.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedure: 

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates.  San Francisco Public Library may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decision for this position. Only those candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will continue in the departmental selection process, which may consist of an oral interview, and/or performance exercise. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.  

What else should I know?

Application Opening: August 10, 2026

Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than Friday, September 4, 2026. This recruitment will remain open until filled.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The normal annual salary range is $200,538 and $255,996. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range.

In addition, the City and County of San Francisco (City) offers comprehensive benefit programs which include:
• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
• Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave
Additional information about the City’s Management Benefits.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions, you may contact Meiyi Ouyang at meiyi.ouyang@sfpl.org.

Recruitment ID: RTF0167056-01085486

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.