Circulation Specialist (2 Positions), UT Libraries

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin Libraries is seeking a Circulation Specialist to support daily operations of the Life Science Library and Chase Architecture Library on the UT Austin campus. You will assist library users with circulation, reference services, and general inquiries while maintaining access to collections.

The role requires on-site work, a 40-hour work week, and a strong commitment to customer service and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; two years library or customer service experience preferred.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to assist diverse users.
• Commitment to creating a welcoming library environment.
• Ability to make decisions, manage workflows, and meet scheduled hours.
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform circulation processes and shelving; assist users with reference referrals.
• Provide customer service and basic tech support; troubleshoot software/hardware as needed.
• Oversee library operations in absence of supervisor; attend meetings and participate in projects.
• Cover intermittent service needs at other library locations as required.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Point-of-sale systems

Library service platforms

Job description

Job Posting Title: Circulation Specialist (2 Positions), UT Libraries

Hiring Department: UT Libraries

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Sep 21, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: The University of Texas Libraries advances teaching, catalyzes research, and democratizes learning in order to develop critical thinkers and global citizens. As an essential campus partner in building a rich research and learning ecosystem, we are committed to creating and sustaining a community that welcomes and respects all individuals, celebrates different perspectives and experiences, and fosters belonging. To learn more about UT Libraries, please visit our website: https://www.lib.utexas.edu/

Purpose: The Circulation Specialist supports daily operations of the Life Science Library and/or Chase Architecture Library by serving library users through circulation, customer, and reference services; maintaining access to library collections; and contributing to a welcoming library environment. Circulation Specialists are members of the In‑Person User Experience Branch Services unit of UT Libraries.

Responsibilities:

• Perform circulation processes of library materials, shelving of library material, and other collection management tasks. Provide reference services to library users including reference referrals to librarians and other units. Provide customer service and computer assistance; troubleshoot software and equipment. Oversee the library in the absence of a supervisor.
• Perform stacks maintenance functions in the library including the shifting of library materials, identifying and preparing materials for transfer, creating barcode lists for location updates, and coordinating with collection logistics staff.
• Participate in departmental, unit, and library meetings. Serve on committees, functional teams, working groups, as stakeholders, and/or projects as needed and related to departmental responsibilities. Attend training initiatives as directed by the Manager of Branch Services.
• Other related functions as assigned including providing intermittent service coverage for other library locations as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma (or GED) and two years of library work experience or relevant customer service experience (retail, bookstore, service industry, etc.).
• Demonstrated strong user/customer service skills and orientation.
• Commitment to creating a welcoming library environment.
• Ability to effectively make decisions, manage workflows, and solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and willingness to put forth an extra effort getting tasks accomplished.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible with changing work assignments and environments.
• Demonstrated excellent communication (written and oral) and organizational skills; ability to maintain scheduled hours.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• More than two years of relevant experience.
• Experience with shelving, shifting, and other stacks maintenance duties.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems or library service platforms.
• Experience staffing a service point.
• Experience troubleshooting computer hardware/software.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and as a member of a team.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills.

Salary Range: $42,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions:

• Typical office and library conditions.
• Varying levels of physical requirements, including frequent standing, walking, and lifting, and occasional climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, and pushing.

Work Shift: Mon-Fri, 9 am to 6 pm. Work is on-site at the UT Austin campus. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Required Materials (PDF Preferred):

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and other applicable laws. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.