Assistant Materials Manager - Bellevue

King County Library System; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Library System is seeking an Assistant Materials Manager to oversee daily operations at the largest library location. You will supervise Library Pages, manage backroom workflows, and coordinate with the Operations Manager to ensure staffing and service quality.

The role emphasizes accountability, staff development, and adherence to library policies while supporting patrons and regional initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Some college level education preferred.
• Minimum of two years of library experience.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Recruits, interviews, and hires Library Pages and Library Page Assistants.
• Supervises staff through training, coaching, evaluation, and discipline.
• Creates schedules for Library Page staff and manages payroll entries.
• Oversees backroom materials workflow and holds management.
• Coordinates daily workflow with Operations Manager and ensures staffing.
• Provides customer service support and basic information.
• Supports regional operations and patron services as part of the regional team.
• Promotes inclusive work environment and handles incidents per policy.

Skills

Management

Public libraries

Scheduling

Communication

Conflict resolution

Tech proficiency

Education

High school diploma

Some college

2 years library experience

Supervisory experience preferred

Tools

Library management systems

Office software

Job description

Job Number: 2026-00296

The Assistant Materials Manager supports the daily operations of an assigned library location by supervising Library Pages and Library Page Assistants and overseeing backroom materials and circulation workflows. Working in coordination with the Operations Manager, this role ensures the efficient flow of library materials and consistent staffing of circulation functions, directly supporting patron access to KCLS collections and contributing to a well-run library environment. The ideal candidate will have experience developing systems of accountability.

This role is directly responsible for supervising maintenance of the collection at the largest community library in the King County Library System, encompassing over 200,000 items.

Essential Duties

The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Recruits, interviews, and hires Library Pages and Library Page Assistants, ensuring new hire paperwork is accurately completed in a timely manner.
• Supervises direct reports through new hire and ongoing training, coaching, evaluation, and discipline, ensuring that all library policies and procedures are followed.Plans and conducts Library Page staff meetings.
• Creates and manages schedules for Library Page staff based on anticipated workload and ensures adequate staffing is maintained to meet the library’s needs. Manages and approves payroll time entries and time off and leave requests.
• Oversees backroom materials workflow at the assigned location, including the processing, sorting, and routing of returned, incoming, and outgoing materials. Monitors holds management and transit preparation to ensure accurate and timely materials movement.Coordinates with regional management team on collection maintenance needs and shelf maintenance standards at the location.
• Coordinates daily workflow with the Operations Manager to ensure staffing demands and circulation tasks are met.
• Provides customer service support, including circulation and basic informational assistance.
• As a member of the Regional Management Team, supports the implementation of initiatives and contributes to regional operations and patron services.
• Fosters the development of a cooperative and inclusive work environment.
• Assumes daily person-in-charge responsibility in the absence of the Operations Manager, including resolution or referral of operational issues, staff and patron incidents and concerns, and enforcement of Code of Conduct.
• May act as a point of contact for security and emergency situations.
• Promotes, educates, and supports Intellectual Freedom principles with staff and patrons.

Secondary Duties

1. Performs direct reports’ work as needed.
2. Attends meetings, trainings, and serves on various committees.
3. Orders office and equipment materials and supplies, as assigned.
4. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Organizational Competencies:

Customer Focus

Primarilyfocused 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.

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 from differences.

Ethics, Values, and Judgement

Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct; consistently demonstrates organizational values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character and action. Defends intellectual freedom and patron 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 foster personal success and connections for others.

Leadership Competencies:

Coaching and Counseling

Facilitates the development of other’s knowledge, abilities, and skills to fulfill job and role responsibilities more effectively. Provides timely feedback, guidance, and encouragement to help others achieve better performance and goals; builds confidence of others.

Managerial Courage

Tactfully provides direct and actionable feedback in a timely manner, is open and direct but not intimidating; deals head-on with people and problems even in the most difficult situations.

Position Competencies:

Decision Quality

Makes decisions and solves problems, can deal adeptly with varied levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk; takes responsibility and accepts ownership for decisions regardless of outcome. Responds promptly and appropriately in crises situations.

Building Effective Teams

Blends people into cohesive teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals; creates and supports strong morale and a healthy work environment.

Accountability

Holds self, direct reports, and others accountable for achieving intended outcomes; follows up and monitors progress to ensure that things stay on track; models organizational values and norms.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Some college level education is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of library experience.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Working knowledge of management practices and principles of supervision including human resources policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of public library systems, circulation procedures, and materials handling.
• Knowledge of library and office technologies relevant to the job duties.
• Recognizes and sets priorities and can work with frequent interruptions.
• Adept communication and listening skills with various and diverse audiences.
• Effective at conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of scheduling for multiple staff.
• Works independently and collaboratively.
• Flexible and adapts to changing needs.

Professional Licenses and Certifications

• A valid Washington State driver’s license is required.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a typical library environment. Incumbent must be available for varied work hours including evenings and weekends. Encounters situations that involve behavioral issues. Some travel within the service area is required.

Physical Demands

• Frequently sit throughout work shift and occasionally stand and walk.
• Frequently reach out at chest level, occasionally reach down, and seldom reach overhead.
• Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to occasionally.
• Rotate neck and bend at waist up to occasionally.
• Change tasks depending upon the shift.
• Require extensive close work including use of a computer monitor.
• Seldom operate foot controls.
• Frequently lift and carry items up to 10 lbs., occasionally lift up to 20 lbs., and seldom lift up to 35 lbs.
• Occasionally push or pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force.