Library Customer Service Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.
Pay Range:
$30.17 - $37.11 Hourly
Department:
Library Department
Job Type:
Regular Represented
Exemption Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
July 26, 2026
The Opportunity:
Create welcoming spaces that reflect our diverse and multicultural community.
At Multnomah County Library, one of our goals is to create welcoming spaces that reflect our diverse and multicultural community. To do so, we actively seek out diverse candidates who have a desire to bring their lived and learned experiences to work every day. It is our hope that these efforts create spaces which reflect the diverse community we serve.
Would you like to join us?
Multnomah County Library is actively seeking a customer service professional to join us as a Bilingual Vietnamese Library Assistant.
As a Bilingual Vietnamese Library Assistant, you will connect internal and external patrons with the information they seek, while building professional relationships with those patrons and delivering exceptional service in support of a library location or program. You will have a specialized focus on assisting patrons who are members of the Vietnamese-speaking community and providing library services (both in the library and through outreach) that are culturally appropriate and responsive in both Vietnamese and English.
Your duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Providing excellent patron, informational, and account management service to a diverse spectrum of customers of all ages and backgrounds in English and Vietnamese.
• Responding to information requests and circulation questions through various channels in order to answer questions, locate information, or refer questions elsewhere as appropriate.
• Interpreting information for patrons and staff from Vietnamese to English or English to Vietnamese.
• Providing readers' advisory services that include using the catalog and other resources.
• Conducting customer service conversations and reference interviews with patrons to determine needs.
• Maintaining, troubleshooting and reporting issues with equipment and software such as computers, copiers, print management, internet sign up, fax/scan stations, checkout stations, credit card payment machines, cash registers, Automated Materials Handling machine, and other devices.
• Supporting a safe and welcoming library experience by maintaining an awareness of the environment, collaborating with coworkers, supporting incident response, and actively building relationships with patrons.
• Assisting with the selection, weeding and replacement of materials in the collection.
• Collaborating with systemwide, regional and location teams to assist with planning, delivering & evaluating services, programming and outreach for a variety of cultural groups of all ages with focus on Vietnamese-speaking communities and based on community feedback.
• Providing location support for systemwide programming such as Summer Reading, large cultural events or Everybody Reads.
• Preparing and presenting storytimes and/or facilitating programs and services to all ages.
• Representing the library at off-site events (i.e., Library booth at a community event).
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with patrons, neighborhood organizations, and the greater population served by the Library, in library and community settings.
• Training, mentoring and orienting staff and volunteers in current library skills, practices and resources.
• Supporting a location by providing help with scheduling, purchasing, supplies, inventory, booking meeting rooms, tracking facilities requests.
• Keeping library facilities organized, safe, and neat and returning materials to the appropriate location in a timely fashion.
• Opening and/or closing a library location for service/hours of operations, turning equipment on or off, and ensuring the setting is organized and safe for operations.
• Opting to serve as person-in-charge of the location in the absence of a manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

The library is open and welcoming to all members of our community, including individuals who may be encountering hardships or challenges that affect their behavior and interactions. This position requires someone with the ability to work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups. You must demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor while working with customers, co-workers and community. In providing customer service, you may encounter situations that require de-escalation or assistance from a supervisor or person-in-charge. Your ability to exercise quick and mature judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive, physically dangerous or abusive customers and emergencies is crucial.
Multnomah County Library is committed to supporting our communities of color and other communities subjected to marginalization by centering race and intersectionality in the services we provide. As a member of our team, all staff are expected to act as allies to library staff and patrons from communities of color and other groups subjected to marginalization by:

• Speaking up to support staff and patrons subjected to marginalization
• Speaking out against racism and oppression
• Demonstrating behavior that is culturally aware and sensitive

Learn more about the library's services on our website.
To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Associate's degree or the equivalent years of experience.
• Two years of customer service experience.
• Ability to speak, read, and write fluently in Vietnamese as well as English.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or extensive experience with the Vietnamese speaking community, demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.
• Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.
• One year of experience working in a library setting.
• Experience serving in a leadership role.
• Experience with programming, such as teaching classes or performing outreach.

Screening and Evaluation
The Application Packet:

• A completed online application
• A cover letter addressing your experience working with and serving Vietnamese-speaking communities.

Please only apply once for this opportunity. The hiring list created from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future part-time, full time, temporary and limited duration positions.
The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference and criminal records checks

Additional Details
Work Location: Our current vacancy works onsite at Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97233
Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.
Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.
In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.
Questions?
Recruiter:
Anthony Cesario
Email:
anthonyc@multco.us
Phone:
+1 (971) 4166884
Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Job Profile:
7211 - Library Assistant