Library Customer Service Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

Salary : $47,486.40 - $61,942.40 Annually
Location : Library Happy Valley, OR
Job Type: Full-Time 40 hours per week
Job Number: 26-004
Department: Library
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The City of Happy Valley is looking for a Library Assistant I to add to our team. As a Library Assistant I, you will be responsible for providing a high level of customer service to the public over the phone and in person while working the front desk to assist patrons with library materials. We're specifically looking for candidates with extensive customer service skills, who have demonstrated experience with busy environments. Successful applicants must be able to work well with a diverse community of patrons and staff. Library experience, while preferred, is not required.
The successful candidate may choose one of the following work schedules:
Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed (9:35am-6:05pm) or
Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue (9:35am-6:05pm)
The Happy Valley Library serves more than 15,000 visitors a month and circulates around 200,000 books a year, as part of the LINCC network of libraries. We are looking for service minded individuals who are familiar with a fast-paced library environment.
About Happy Valley:
Happy Valley is known for Its wonderful neighborhoods that have an abundance of parks, open spaces, and meandering trails. Our residents take great pride in the community and come together throughout the years at an annual Fun Run, summer concert series, 4th of July Festival, Harvest Fest, Tree lighting and many other community-driven events. As the community grows, we're building a city where family-friendly neighborhoods meet a world-class economy. Happy Valley's business community is rapidly emerging, creating vibrant centers throughout town. Happy Valley is looking to the future. Once a small community in as recently as the early 2000s, the City has rapidly developed toward being a medium-sized City for the Clackamas County area and there is a lot changing in the community and in our organization. Happy Valley has the vision and heart to be a leader in the region. As an employer, the City of Happy Valley strives to provide a collaborative working environment that allows access to all city employees, across all departments. We maintain a current technological platform for our staff to provide the most efficient services to our residents and business owners. Come and join us as we serve this great community together!
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine paraprofessional and clerical library duties to meet and assist the diverse needs of the public in the effective use of the library and its systems; provides excellent customer service at the circulation desk.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Library Assistant I is distinguished from the Library Aide by performing customer service in person and over the phone to the public. The Library Assistant reports to the Library Operations Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Any one position in this class may not perform all the duties listed below, nor do the listed examples of duties include all similar and related duties that may be assigned to this class.

1. Assists patrons with the use of library materials and services and in their selection of materials.
2. Explains use of on-line catalog and the library classification system.
3. Checks books in and out for borrowing purposes, accepts and collects fines, processes new library accounts, answers basic reference questions.
4. Assists in processing of new books, periodicals, and other printed materials.
5. Shelves books and assists in the implementation of circulation procedures; provides suggestion for material selection; maintains on-line system data, files and other clerical records related to the library.
6. Conducts bibliographic searches for interlibrary loan request, processes items to be picked up by courier; mends damaged materials; assists in keeping the library facilities clean and orderly.
7. Assists other library staff with special library programs and services.
8. Assist and support the City to identify and provide services to all members of the community and remove barriers to those services.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Library methods, procedures, practices, and terminology; basic English composition, spelling, arithmetic, Dewey Decimal classification system; library collection location.

• Library special programming.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person, in writing and over the telephone.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication; proper English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Ability to become knowledgeable concerning City organization, rules, policies and procedures.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including recordkeeping and filing practices and procedures.
• Computer equipment and uses of word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, database and other software.
• Basic functions of public agencies, including the role and responsibilities of a public entity.

Ability to:

• Accurately file alphabetical and numerical information.
• Effectively communicate accurate information both orally and in writing.
• Interact tactfully and effectively with the public and staff members.
• Make decisions based on regulations and established policies and procedures.
• Work independently, quickly, and accurately with close attention to detail in an atmosphere of frequent interruptions and changing priorities.

• Operate a computer and word processing software and other standard office equipment.
• Manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities.
• Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communication in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.

• Work collaboratively with people from all backgrounds.

Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; and previous experience with library systems and environment; one year experience operating computers and providing customer service; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Successfully pass pre- employment self-administered alpha- numeric exam.
• Requires Microsoft Office proficiency.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Works primarily in an office or library environment.
• Requires the ability to perform efficiently and effectively under pressure.
• Occasionally deals with distraught or difficult individuals.
• This position requires mobility.
• Regularly lift and carry and heavy boxes of materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 70% of the work period while operating equipment such as computers and other standard office equipment.
• Work schedule may include holiday, weekend and/or evening hours as early as 9:30 am and as late as 6:05 pm.

Reasonable accommodations will be evaluated on an individual basis and depend, in part, on the specific requirement for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the City to accommodate the limitation.
Pre-Employment Requirements

• Reference Checks
• Background Check
• Driving Record

How to Apply
To be considered for this employment opportunity complete the online application and supplemental questions.
Any offer of employment would be contingent upon a criminal background check, driving record check and positive references. Happy Valley is an equal opportunity and at will employer.
The City of Happy Valley provides Veteran's Preference to those candidates that identify themselves as a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces and provides a legible copy of their DD214 or DD215, and Veteran Affairs letter of disability if applicable, with their application materials.
Please send questions about this position or selection process to Ivy Markesino, Human Resources Director at 503-886-8426 or
Full-Time Employee Benefit Package

• Full family medical, vision, and dental coverage, with an employee cost share of only 5% of the monthly premium. Employees are provided options for medical and dental plans.
• Long-term disability up to 50% or $5,000/month.
• Life insurance in the amount of $50, 000 and the ability to purchase up to $1,000,000 under a group rate.
• HRA VEBA monthly contribution.
• PERS member, with the 6% employee contribution paid by the City.
• Oregon Paid Leave contribution paid by the City.
• Deferred Compensation 457 Plan available for employee contributions.
• Comp Banks, giving employees the ability to earn time off in lieu of overtime pay.
• Sick Leave accrued up to 8 hours per month.
• Vacation time, starting at 96 hours per year.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Free parking.
• Monthly gym membership to a local gym or monthly fitness stipend.
• Wellness activities and monthly incentive opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Cell phone stipend for positions that require the use of a cell phone.
• Annual/Bi-Annual Boot & Raingear allowance for positions that require the regular use of protective footgear or raingear.
• City vehicles available for business use, employees do not have to drive their own vehicles.
• Education benefits of $5,000 available to employees every 10 years.
• Ongoing training and career development course provided upon request.
• Several voluntary employee benefits available (FSA accounts, Short term disability, Identity Protection, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Legal Shield, etc.)

01
How many years of customer service experience do you have?

• Less than one (1) year.
• Less than three (3) years, more than one (1) year.
• Less than five (5) years, more than three (3) years.
• Less than seven (7) years, more than five (5) years.
• Seven (7) or more years.

02
How many years of library experience do you have (either volunteer or paid)?

• Less than one (1) year.
• Less than three (3) years, more than one (1) year.
• Less than five (5) years, more than three (3) years.
• Less than seven (7) years, more than five (5) years.
• Seven (7) or more years.

03
When the following names are put in alphabetical order, which one would be second?

• Smith, John
• Smith, Pam
• Smith, Jonah
• Smyth, Mary
• Smith, Mark

04
When the following names are put in alphabetical order, which one would be last?

• McCormick, Cyrus Hall
• McCormick, Joseph Medill
• McCormack, John
• McCosh, James
• McConnell, Francis J

05
When the following titles are put in alphabetical order, which one would be first, ignoring articles?

• We All Live Here
• Animal Dreams
• The Wedding People
• And Yet
• An Invisible Thread

06
If you arrange this group of numbers in order (starting with the lowest), which number would be second?

• 641.5521
• 641.8948
• 641.5983
• 641.8498
• 641.7213

07
Where would 914.45 go if placed in the following sequence? 914.4211, 914.49589, 914.038, 914.1231

• First
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Fifth

08
Think about each letter of the alphabet as if it had a number value (A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, etc.). What would all the letter's in the word "advisory" add up to?

• 112
• 113
• 111
• 105
• 93

09
Please tell us about how you have helped difficult customers and how you've adapted your own approach as needed. Be specific in your examples.
10
Please give us an example of a time you had a conflict with a coworker, and how you went about resolving it.
Required Question