Seattle Public Library Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $29.39 - $35.72 Hourly
Location : Seattle Public Library - Central Library, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Part-Time
Job Number: IC #37-26
Department: The Seattle Public Library
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Invitation to Compete #37-26: Library Associate II
Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98102
Regular, FLSA non-exempt, part-time position (48 hours per pay period)
Schedule:
Week 1: Wed 11:30am - 8pm, Thurs 9:30am - 6pm, Fri OFF, Sat 9:30am - 6pm, Sun 9:30am - 6pm, Mon OFF, Tues OFF
Week 2: Wed OFF, Thurs 9:30am - 6pm, Fri OFF, Sat OFF, Sun OFF, Mon 9:30am - 6pm, Tues OFF
Salary Range: $29.39 - $35.72 per hour
A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. The schedule listed is subject to change based on the Library's current operational need and is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.
This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library's employees. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2026.
Please note: This recruitment may be used for up to 90 days following the closing date of this posting to fill regular and temporary Library Associate II vacancies.
Overview
The Seattle Public Library's mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.
The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.
If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for the Library Associate II position.
The Capitol Hill Branch serves a diverse range of people, including some of our most vulnerable and marginalized communities. We welcome everyone and endeavor to provide a calm oasis where people can connect and recharge. The branch highlights the LGBTQ collection and boasts a wall of rainbow books in our Teen corner on the Northeast side of the building. Our restroom facilities, meeting and study rooms, and public computers are very popular. The team at Capitol Hill work closely together to provide resources and exemplary service in a busy, demanding environment.
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 Community Use Agreement; 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.
Job 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 Community Use Agreement 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.
Qualifications
Education:A high school diploma or a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) is required.
Customer Service Experience: 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. A candidate's experience must demonstrate the ability to apply customer service standards in dealing with the public on complex customer issues as they pertain to organizational policies and procedures. Previous experience working in a library setting is preferred.
Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills: 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 also be able to respond to patron requests for directional assistance. Candidates must be able to effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing, as well as comprehend spoken and written English.
Experience using Personal Computers and Office Equipment: 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.
Organizational Skills: Candidates must be able to learn to sort books or other materials alphabetically and numerically, quickly, accurately and safely, and must be able to learn sorting and library filing schemes, such as the Dewey Decimal system. Candidates must also be able to organize and maintain information in an electronic format in shared network files.
Other Required Skills and Abilities: Candidates must 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. Candidates must also have the ability to squeeze and release hand brakes on wheeled book carts.
Desired Qualifications:

• 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.

Additional Information
How to Apply
Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2026 to be considered for this position.

1. 1. Online application with responses to the supplemental questions.
   2. A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you want to do this work.
   3. Current resume that summarizes relevant education, experience, knowledge and skills.

Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and complete online application will not be considered.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.
Benefits and Salary Information
The full salary range for this position is $29.39 - $35.72 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement
Additional Information
If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Are you able to work weekdays, evenings and weekends?

• Yes
• No

02
I have reviewed and acknowledge acceptance of the anticipated schedule for this position below. Schedule:Week 1: WED 11:30am - 8pm, Thurs 9:30am - 6pm, Fri OFF, Sat 9:30am - 6pm, Sun 9:30am - 6pm, Mon OFF, Tues OFFWeek 2: Wed OFF, Thurs 9:30am - 6pm, Fri OFF, Sat OFF, Sun OFF, Mon 9:30am - 6pm, Tues OFF

• Yes
• No

03
How many years of professional work experience do you have providing customer service to the general public?

• Less than two years
• 2 - 3 years
• 4 - 5 years
• More than five years

04
Do you have experience with merchandise handling and/or inventory tracking?

• Yes
• No

05
Please briefly describe your experience providing customer service to people from diverse communities, including immigrant families, new English speakers, people experiencing housing insecurity, and/or individuals living with addiction and/or mental illness? Type N/A if no experience.
06
Please briefly describe your work or volunteer experience de-escalating challenging behaviors or situations? Type N/A for no experience.
07
I understand that this position may be deployed to any Seattle Public Library location

• Yes
• No

08
I affirm that the information I have included in my online application, resume, cover letter and answers to the above supplemental questions are true and correct.

• Yes
• No

Required Question