Library Reference Assistant

The Position

Beaverton City Library is looking for a part-time (20 hour/week) Reference Assistant.

If you:
are you enthusiastic about libraries

love working with people of all ages and want to introduce them to everything the library has to offer

like working with statistics and data

are interested in providing support to the library’s Collections Team, which manages our library collections

Then we want to hear from you!

Reference Assistants provide a crucial link between community members and library resources. In this job you will spend about 65% of your work week at our reference (customer service) desks, interacting with library users of all ages and providing excellent customer service in a busy environment. No two days are the same and you will help people with a wide variety of topics. In one day you might help an adult download an eBook for the first time, help a child find books about dogs, and connect a family with the social worker who works at the library.

The other 35% of your time you will provide support to the Collections Team by:

Working with and updating Excel files

Running statistical reports and manipulating data

Helping ensure we have enough copies of popular items

Assisting with removing damaged items from the collection and passing along titles to be replaced to the selectors

There may be other assignments depending on your skills and interests, such as creating video content for our YouTube channel or presenting storytimes.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Loves working with people and providing excellent customer service

Is excited to work with Beaverton’s diverse community

Communicates effectively with people of various backgrounds

Thrives in a fast-paced environment

Enjoys working with statistics and has an intermediate understanding of Microsoft Excel, including sorting and formulas

THE LIBRARY

The Beaverton City Library serves a diverse community, and our vision is to be the foundation for an engaged and thriving community.

We strive to:
cultivate a welcoming environment and inclusive services

provide exceptional service to patrons

keep our community at the center of decisions and the work we do

Beaverton is a diverse city, boasting a large population of qualified persons, including women, veterans, Black, Indigenous and people of color, persons with disabilities, generational groups, persons who speak many languages and are of diverse national origins.

It is widely stated—and supported by studies—that candidates, especially women, are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet 100% of the hiring criteria. The city’s talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We therefore encourage persons with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, even if you believe you do not meet 100% of the qualifications and hiring criteria described.

This is a part-time, non-exempt, SEIU-classified position. This position is 20 hours/week and includes evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities

Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all the following duties:

Model excellence in providing accurate, courteous and efficient customer service to internal and external customers. Consistently represent the library in a positive manner and assist with training and guiding staff in accordance with customer service guidelines.

Assist patrons by answering questions about access to services, providing information and directional resources, and providing referrals to appropriate staff or agencies. Provide routine to complex reference work for library users. Advise, assist and instruct patrons in use of library services, collections, tools and equipment. Explain policies and procedures.

Provide readers advisory to people of all ages.

Promote public awareness of library services and programs through interactions with patrons. Build and maintain professional relationships with patrons, organizations and the greater population served by the library.

Maintain knowledge of required technology competencies. Maintain knowledge of current and emerging technology tools and trends; provides instruction to library users on library technology services.

Execute collection management tasks as assigned, including assisting librarians with selection, weeding and replacement of materials in the collection.

Monitor patron behavior and ensure positive interactions among patrons and staff; address problem behaviors and take appropriate action up to and including exclusion; document incidents.

Prepare circulation and weeding reports.

Support the Library volunteer program by assisting with training, coaching direction, and recognition of the work of volunteers.

Respond to and resolve issues regarding general maintenance, appearance, and safety of the building. Provide basic troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment and ensure resolution of problems.

Participate in operational processes including procedure development and implementation. Provide support and input in development of library services and processes.

Work with supervisors and leads to create personal learning goals. Participate in opportunities to develop skills needed to meet the changing role of the public library.

Present storytimes and other events for children and families.

Create a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.

Assist in creating a positive and supportive work environment with a culture of teamwork and communication.

Actively promote an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

Perform duties outlined in the Library Reference Assistant classification and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree

At least one year of experience in a library, bookstore, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills

Ability to pass a written exam if invited to participate in the selection process

Ability to pass a drug screen based on scope of position and city policy

Ability to pass reference checks, education verification, if applicable, and satisfy the requirements of a background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Previous public library experience

Bilingual Competency in English and any of the following: Spanish or Arabic or Korean or Vietnamese or Chinese or Russian or Japanese, including speaking, reading and writing.

Compensation

Wage Range: $21.17 – $28.36

Starting wage will be determined depending on relevant work experience as outlined in the Equal Pay Act. New hires who meet minimum requirements will start at step one. Higher steps may be offered to those who have additional years of directly related experience to the position.

The city pays the full retirement contribution to PERS; provides employees with an opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan; makes available a public service loan forgiveness program and tuition reimbursement program; and offers excellent health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Bilingual pay (4% above the base) may be offered, contingent on the candidate passing a proficiency test provided by the city.

Please note: Experience and skills will be reviewed via the main application submission only.