Are you enthusiastic about libraries and introducing people of all ages to everything the library has to offer? Are you fluent in Spanish or Arabic and excited to work with the Beaverton community, especially speakers of that language? Are you passionate about fostering a love of reading in young children?
If you answered yes to these questions, Beaverton City Library has a job that might be right for you!
THE POSITION:
Your position as Reference Assistant provides a crucial link between community members and the library’s wealth of resources. In this job you will spend most of your workday at our reference (public 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’ll help people with a wide variety of topics.
You’ll also present storytimes in Spanish or Arabic; plan and present library events several times a year; translate documents; create and/or update print documents like booklists; and work on other assigned projects. You will also assist Spanish-speaking or Arabic-speaking library users as needed throughout the library.
THE TEAM:
The Beaverton City Library Community Engagement is a new team that serves community members of all ages, both at the library and out in the community. Our team works hard to cultivate a welcoming environment and inclusive services in the areas of early literacy, outreach, collections, and publicity. Our team’s current focuses include continuing to be on the cutting edge when it comes to early literacy services and storytimes, promoting early literacy and school readiness, striving to increase our reach to community members who do not currently use our services, and expanding our outreach efforts to reach more community members outside the library’s walls.
This position requires the ability to speak, read and write Spanish or Arabic fluently. It includes evening and weekend hours at both of our library locations (Main and Murray Scholls).
This is a 20-hour per week, non-exempt, SEIU-classified position. There is one vacancy.
Please note: Experience and skills will be reviewed via the main application submission only. Additional supporting documentation included with your application may not be reviewed.
Responsibilities
Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of 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. Develop and maintain readers advisory tools.
Develop, plan, implement and evaluate new programs and special events for the public. Research and recommend new programs.
Promote public awareness of library services and programs. Build and maintain professional relationships with patrons, organizations and the greater population served by the library. Look for opportunities to develop partnerships and collaborate with individuals and organizations in the community.
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.
Place orders for library materials and supplies.
Collaborate and actively participate on projects, committees, teams and task forces.
Provide training to peers on these activities.
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.
Maintain statistical records and data. Prepare reports and recommendations.
Support the Library volunteer program by assisting with training, coaching direction and recognition of the work of volunteers.
Assist in providing training to and leading the work of staff. Responsible for building and staff in absence of manager or supervisor.
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.
Ability to travel as necessary to meet the needs of the position.
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 or other duties as assigned: Class Specifications.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will:
Love working with children, especially babies, toddlers and preschoolers
Care deeply about providing excellent customer service
Enjoy children’s books and reading aloud to children
Have thorough knowledge of and/or extensive experience with the Spanish- or Arabic-speaking community, demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served.
Be able to communicate effectively with people of all ages and various backgrounds
Thrive in a fast-paced environment and embrace change
Be comfortable helping others with computers and digital resources
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree
At least one year of experience in a library or certified preschool setting.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions of the position.
Fluency in Spanish or Arabic, including speaking, reading and writing
Experience working with babies, toddlers and preschoolers
Valid driver’s license with the ability to meet the city’s driving standards and access to transportation to travel between two library locations.
Ability to pass a written and oral test as part of the selection process.
Ability to pass reference checks, drug screen, a degree verification check, if applicable, and satisfy the requirements of a background check.
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.
Compensation
Wage Range: $20.74 – $27.79 per hour
Wage rate will be determined depending on relevant work experience as outlined in the Equal Pay Act. 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. In addition to the hourly wage, bilingual pay (4% above the base) will be offered, contingent on the candidate passing a proficiency test provided by the city.
For more information about the Job Application Process and to review the City of Beaverton’s Statement of Nondiscrimination, please follow this link to the Selection Statement.
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