Substitute Library Assistant Jobs in Seattle, WA

Employment Opportunity

Sylvan Way

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 0826-46

Kitsap Regional Library seeks two exceptional, innovative and dynamic full-time Library Associates for the Sylvan Way branch. The ideal candidates are passionate about providing excellent library service and developing strong patron relationships while assisting patrons with research and reader's advisory. This position provides program support and works in collaboration with branch staff.

Under general supervision, while providing excellent customer service, a Library Associate performs a wide range of information and circulation services. Typical duties include staffing the service desk, assisting patrons with questions, supporting programming, resolving patron code of conduct issues, and acting as designated site support in the absence of branch management. 

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Washington Public Employees Association/ UFCW 365.

Associates degree required and a minimum of two years' experience in customer service including a minimum of one year in frontline library service or a position related to the duties of the classification. Additional experience related to the duties of the position may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Employees regularly scheduled 20 or more hours per week are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision, basic life, AD&D, long term disability insurance plans, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), as well as our employee assistance program. Additionally, full-time employees earn 15 days of vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 1 personal day each year.

Kitsap Regional Library participates in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees are automatically eligible for the plan if they work a minimum of 16.25 hours per week (or 70 hour per month) during five months per year for two consecutive years.

The starting compensation range for this position is $25.798-$27.36 per hour. Offers will be determined based on required and relevant experience and in alignment with internal equity.

Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents, however, and do not include all specific tasks an incumbent may be expected to perform.

DUTIES:

• Provide welcoming customer assistance, answer phones, respond to digital queries, check library materials in and out, register customers for library cards, order materials from other library locations, and troubleshoot patron accounts.
• Assist patrons with inquiries and reader's advisory services, computer use, the library's public catalog and available digital or electronic resources. Research resource materials to respond to patron needs; refer patrons to a Librarian or other resources, as needed.
• Assist patrons in utilizing physical equipment such as self-checkout machines, public computers, printers, and copier/fax machines as well as digital tools such as the Library catalog, electronic collections, email and Office products. Elevate technical service issues via work orders.
• Assist patrons in resolving concerns or complaints regarding the availability of facilities, adjusting fines and fee disputes and related patron concerns.
• Perform designated site support (DSS) duties including, ensuring branch opening and closing procedures are completed, prioritizing branch tasks to maintain safe and efficient operations, communicating with offsite contact regarding changes to staff schedules, and acting as point person in the event of an incident or emergency.
• Follow policies, procedures, and established guidelines to respond to customer service, building, or safety issues with the support of the branch team and guidance from the Branch Manager or designee.
• May support and/or implement a variety of library programs, services, and materials.
• Support circulation duties include shelving library materials, processing shipment, pulling holds, and emptying book drops.
• Assist with collection maintenance activities, periodicals processing, design of displays and other library promotional and informational materials as assigned.
• Implement and deliver training on circulation, shelving, branch processes, and/or operational tasks.
• Attend branch meetings, workshops, and systemwide training sessions.

• Serve as a resource for community and special population groups, specifically supporting branch programming and outreach efforts.
• Support volunteers in the library, including Friends of the Library (FOL) and Puget Sound Genealogy Society (PSGS), as assigned.
• Represent the Library at community events.
• Maintain a clean, welcoming, and safe library environment and report issues via work orders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Ability to sort and file alphanumerically and to perform basic mathematical computations, including ability to navigate the Dewey Decimal System.
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with a diverse audience.
• Ability to navigate library resources and patron accounts using Polaris, the Integrated Library System (ILS).
• Ability to access and utilize staff Intranet resources.
• Ability to follow detailed written or verbal procedural instructions accurately, with willingness to seek clarification.
• Ability to acquire and effectively implement knowledge of library policies and procedures and to use independent judgment to resolve circulation and patron problems within established guidelines.
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with a diverse audience.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, patrons, user groups, community organizations, volunteer groups and to serve the public courteously.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, perform required data entry proficiently and utilize computer software and specialized programs.
• Ability to work a schedule that may change periodically, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work collaboratively to create and maintain an inclusive environment where staff and patrons are respected and feel safe, supported and valued.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment with frequent public and staff interaction. Incumbents in Mobile Services frequently work in various weather conditions. This position primarily involves light to medium physical demands, sitting and operating objects, tools or controls including keyboards and telephones; for extended periods, internal and external customer contact, conversations, phones, noise from office machinery and other equipment, etc. Must be able to work while others are working in a shared team area. Occasionally, the incumbent must move or maneuver objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds, including stooping, reaching, lifting, bending or transferring books and other materials to carts, tables, or shelves of varying heights. Incumbents may be required to move carts of books and other materials around the building for extended periods of time. Frequently push, pull, lift or exert up to 20 pounds of force, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; bending at the waist, kneeling, and reaching, using arms and hands.

Visual acuity essential for tasks include reading and composing emails, reports, and materials including electronic information and complex materials from either written or computer sources; identifying and organizing library materials such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs based on small-print numbers and alphabetical characters; scanning and inspecting library materials, including opening media cases; and operating computers for extended periods. Work performed and delivered are guided by precise deadlines. High cognitive demands include strong attention to detail, ability to focus for long periods of time, critical thinking, problem solving and information synthesis.

Excellent communication skills, customer service abilities, and multitasking are also essential for success in this role.

Listed below are expectations of all library employees:

• Provide excellent customer service by showing sensitivity to cultural differences and diverse backgrounds when interacting with patrons, volunteers, and co-workers.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's principles of intellectual freedom.
• Knowledge and support of Kitsap Regional Library's policies and procedures.
• Effectively work both independently, with limited direction or supervision, as well as within a team.
• Flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and library services.
• Maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records.

This is a part-time, non-exempt 32 hours per week position. The schedule is subject to change to meet the needs of the library but at the time of posting is expected to include evening shifts and every Saturday.

To apply for this position and future positions, please visit krl.applicantpro.com/internaljobs/. This position is open to represented staff members only, who have successfully completed their probation period. It will remain open through August 26, 2026.

Kitsap Regional Library is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please email us at jobs@krl.org and we'll work with you to meet your accessibility needs.