Public Services Assistant - Multiple Locations - 22.5, 30, and 40 Hours

King County Library System • Various, WA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the King County Library System (KCLS) as a Public Services Assistant (PSA)! KCLS is seeking qualified candidates to fill openings throughout their library system, aiming to build a pool for vacancies across the county as they expand service. Available schedules, hours, and work locations will vary and will be discussed during the hiring process. PSAs connect patrons with resources, technology, and services through in-person, online, and phone interactions. This role involves assisting patrons with accessing library resources, troubleshooting technology, navigating information, completing circulation transactions, and participating in library programs. The goal is to create a welcoming, inclusive, and positive library experience. KCLS values diversity and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including BIPOC, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

Requirements

• Associates or technical degree or certificate.
• Three years’ experience in a library or other service-oriented setting.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
• Proficiency in basic computer operations troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in software programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Model for customer service mindset and delivery.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to community.
• Maintain calm in stressful and ambiguous situations.
• Analytical and decision-making skills to assess an issue to determine an optimal solution.
• Flexible in an environment with constant interruptions.
• Attentive to detail and accuracy of tasks.
• Adept communication and listening skills with various and diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Valuing Diversity: Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably. Respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn about differences.
• Customer Focus: Primarily focused on customer needs. Able to deliver high-quality, value-added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.
• Ethics, Values and Judgement: Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct. Consistently demonstrates organization’s values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character, and action. Defends intellectual freedom and confidentiality.
• Professional and Technical Knowledge: Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas. Purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to better foster personal success and connections for others.
• Approachability: Listens more than they talk. Allows appropriate time for interactions. Purposely builds rapport, sets positive tone and exhibits confidence by body language and speech. Maintains boundaries.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Can shift gears comfortably. Can decide and act without the total picture and comfortably handle risk and uncertainty. Does not exhibit excessive need to control or track. Can ‘let go’ and move forward in uncertainty.
• Teamwork/Collaboration: Works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of, utilizes and celebrates their own and team members' strengths and differences.
• Composure: Calm and reflective, self-possessed even in the face of provocation, recognizes and manages stress appropriately, even during tough times.

Responsibilities

• Provides information and readers’ advisory assistance in person, online, and over the phone.
• Facilitates patron use of library collections through reference interviews, literature, electronic searches, and instruction in the use of catalogs, paper and electronic resources.
• Educates, trains, and assists patrons with library technology, equipment and resources.
• Troubleshoots basic technology issues and reports equipment repair needs and non-routine maintenance, as necessary.
• Assists patrons and staff with full range of circulation duties, including check-in/check-out, use of materials handling equipment, shelving materials, locating materials at different locations, and patron account problem resolution.
• Supports patrons and system staff with scheduling and using the library facility, including meeting and study rooms.
• Upholds the principle of intellectual freedom. Responds to related inquiries and refers challenges as appropriate.
• Resolves patron incidents, concerns and conflicts ensuring the Code of Conduct is followed or redirects as appropriate.
• Promotes and displays materials, services, and programs.
• Assists with delivery, preparation and staffing support of library programs and outreach.
• Performs daily cash handling and register functions, and associated reconciliation and deposits.
• Attends and actively participates on internal committees.
• Provides mentoring and training for staff in areas of expertise.
• Performs duties of lower classifications as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree