Library Associate II (Multiple Positions)

City of Seattle, WA • Seattle, WA

332d • $28 - $34

About The Position

The Library Associate II classification is a rewarding, albeit physically demanding position that is responsible for providing friendly, responsive customer service to patrons and clerical support. Primary duties include checking in and checking out materials, registering patrons for library cards, collecting fees, resolving patron account disputes, providing basic information services for Library patrons, and assisting patrons with the use of Library equipment and resources. Additional responsibilities may include enforcing rules of conduct; maintaining computer and manual files; processing new materials, reserves and department interlibrary loan requests; answering telephones, typing and filing records, data entry, maintaining statistics and providing support in shelving and retrieving materials, when needed.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) is required.
• Minimum of two years of work experience providing customer service to the general public, applying exemplary customer service standards in dealing with complex customer issues.
• Candidates must be able to effectively respond to patron communications in person and on the telephone, specifically the ability to listen to and understand customer concerns, assess available options, and respond accurately and appropriately.
• Candidates must have experience operating point-of-sale/service computer terminals that use menu-based commands to obtain, interpret, and display data and information related to customer accounts.
• Candidates must have experience with using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook email, Excel and Word), internet browsers and online catalogs.
• Candidates must have experience using general office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, printers and cash registers.
• Candidates must be able to learn to sort books or other materials alphabetically and numerically, quickly, accurately and safely.
• Candidates must also be flexible in adjusting their work hours and locations.
• Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to work with others as part of a team on projects and have the ability to understand and apply verbal and written instructions.
• Candidates must also be able to bend, stretch, stoop, and lift bins up to 40 pounds in weight and push wheeled book carts weighing up to 200 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with racially, culturally and economically diverse communities.
• Experience interacting with immigrant families, new English speakers, people experiencing housing insecurity, and individuals who are living with addiction or mental illness.
• The ability to speak and read Amharic, Chinese, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya or Vietnamese; fluency in American Sign Language.
• Familiarity with de-escalation techniques for challenging behaviors and demonstrated experience using those skills.
• Experience with merchandise handling and inventory tracking.

Responsibilities

• Provide Circulation and Lending Services for Patrons: Serves as a front desk customer service representative. Provides friendly, responsive customer service to patrons; checks materials in and out; renews and reserves materials; collects fees; registers patrons for library cards; resolves patron account issues; applies the Library's circulation policies and procedures; gives directions or information to patrons regarding the location and use of Library materials, equipment and resources; and assesses the nature of, responding to, and effectively resolving, a variety of related issues.
• Assists with the Flow and Organization of Library Materials: Sorts, files, shelves and routes books and a wide variety of other materials; lifts and transports books and materials using book carts, hand trucks and similar equipment; uses automated systems; locates and retrieves materials for processing; maintains the order and appearance of materials, re-shelves as needed; and retrieves materials for patrons and Library staff.
• Enforcement of the Library's Policies and Procedures: Applies the Library's borrower policies and circulation procedures when interacting with patrons at circulation desks. Assists to enforce the Rules of Conduct from a de-escalation framework to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for patrons.
• Performs Support Duties: Gathers information or data; maintains records and files; compiles statistics; and assists with various projects such as processing damaged materials, updating records and/or developing reports. Assists with shelving and sorting materials, when needed.

Benefits

• Vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees