Library Associate - Library on Wheels

Sno-Isle Libraries; Marysville (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Dental coverage

Employee assistance program

ORCA Passport card

Job summary

Sno-Isle Libraries in Marysville, WA, seeks a Library Associate for Library on Wheels. The role focuses on engaging children through childcare visits, community bookmobile stops, and the Discover Bus, with outreach to senior living facilities and event participation.

The position requires driving between service locations, working solo or with a partner, and moving carts and supplies while delivering library services in varied settings.

Qualifications

• Two years of college-level education or equivalent training.
• Three years of customer service experience in a library/public service setting.
• Ability to drive outreach vehicles and perform physical tasks (up to 35 pounds).

Responsibilities

• Select library materials for customers and present children’s programming.
• Prepare materials for delivery.
• Drive outreach vehicles to various sites according to schedule.
• Perform routine vehicle maintenance and safety checks.
• Assist customers with library equipment and services and troubleshoot outreach tech.
• Develop and present programming for preschool and school-age children.
• Conduct collection maintenance and weeding based on reports and needs.

Skills

Customer service

Public outreach

Communication

Driving

Organization

Tech literacy

Education

Two years of college-level education

Specialized training in library services

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Library ILS/MLS

Job description

Pay Range: $31.40 - $43.00 hourly
Job Status: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Employment Type: Regular
FLSA: Non-exempt
Location: Marysville, WA

Library on Wheels is committed to the Sno-Isle Libraries vision that everyone in our communities is connected to the library. The new Library Associate will join a team that is collaborative, creative, fun, and dedicated to reaching and serving community members who may face barriers to library access. This position has a strong focus on engaging children through visits to childcare facilities, community bookmobile stops, and the STEM-focused Discover Bus. The Library Associate will create fun and welcoming experiences that spark curiosity, encourage a love of reading and learning, and connect people to library resources. The position also provides important outreach services to senior living facilities and participates in a wide variety of special events. This is an active, on-the-go position that involves frequent driving between service locations, working both independently and with a partner, and regularly moving carts, boxes, and other supplies while delivering library services in a variety of community settings.

The successful candidate will bring enthusiasm for outreach, a genuine enjoyment of working with children, and a welcoming, engaging approach to connecting people with library services. They will be skilled at building relationships with people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds, and will enjoy creating positive experiences for children, older adults, families, and the broader community. They will work well independently and as part of a highly collaborative team, thrive in a dynamic environment where every day brings something different, and approach changing plans and unexpected challenges with flexibility and creativity. This position contributes to the Library District’s effective operation by providing library services, spaces, and resources that represent diverse cultures and perspectives and are intentionally inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The position generally follows a Monday-Friday schedule, with periodic weekend shifts to accommodate special events. Successful candidate may be required to adapt to future schedule and location changes depending on the needs of the library.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 2.

Job Summary

This position is based in Library on Wheels and performs skilled para-professional support services to contribute to the Library District's effective operation, providing library services, spaces, and resources that are representative of diverse cultures and perspectives, intentionally inclusive, and accessible to everyone.

We Value Lived Experience

Sno-Isle Libraries is committed to embedding equity into our organization. As we engage in equity work, it's important to have a good foundation to frame the work and then provide training opportunities to build skills and knowledge.

We value and embrace the unique experiences our staff members bring to the organization and recognize how their experiences improve the service we provide.

Benefits

All Sno-Isle Libraries employees are eligible for sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, and an employer-paid ORCA Passport card. Employees working 20 or more hours per week also receive additional benefits such as medical and vision coverage, retirement savings, life insurance, and flexible healthcare and daycare spending accounts. For more information about these benefits, visit our employment webpage at sno-isle.org/employment.

Essential Functions

Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Select library materials for customers, present children's programming, provide on-site assistance to customers and caregivers in a variety of settings.
2. Prepare materials for delivery.
3. Drive large outreach vehicles such as the Bookmobile, Cart Hauler and delivery vans to various outreach sites according to schedule.
4. Perform routine vehicle maintenance and arrange for regular maintenance and repair of outreach vehicles; conduct routine safety checks.
5. Assist customers in the use of library equipment and services. Troubleshoot equipment utilized in Outreach Services.
6. Develop and present programming for preschool and school aged children.
7. Perform collection maintenance activities through the use of reports and data, to include weeding the collection for condition as well as reallocation of library materials.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Perform specialized duties in support of collection development services as directed.
2. Make presentations to the public as assigned.
3. Prepare correspondences and reports.
4. Train new staff as needed.
5. Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
6. Assist with special projects as required.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision

The position reports to the Library on Wheels Manager. Supervision of others is not a normal part of the position's work. May be designated as lead person to provide work direction to coworkers or volunteers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Thorough knowledge of established web-based databases and techniques of searching and accessing those resources.
2. Thorough knowledge of established practices and procedures for an integrated library system (ILS).
3. Thorough knowledge of library procedures for determining needs and interests of customers.
4. Knowledge of Library District policies and procedures.
5. Knowledge of library resources, programs and services in a library.
6. Strong customer service and communication skills.
7. Strong organization and attention to detail.
8. Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
9. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
10. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
11. Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
12. Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, electronic databases, e-mail, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.

Education and Experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position can be acquired by a combination of experience and education including:

1. At least two years of college-level education or specialized training such as library science, presenting programs or other profession-based subject areas.
2. Three years of experience providing customer service in a library or public service environment is required.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must identify and organize library materials such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs based on small-print numbers and alphabetical characters; scan and inspect library materials including opening media cases. Incumbents may frequently move objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds, including transfer of books and other materials to carts or shelves of varying heights. Incumbents may be required to move carts of books and other materials about the building for extended periods of time. Incumbents are required to operate computers and may frequently remain stationary at one workstation for extended periods of time.

The incumbent must regularly communicate with coworkers and members of the public. These contacts and situations are deemed to be generally safe and free of undue stress, but require incumbents to be cordial, helpful, and skilled in interpersonal relations with others both in the public and within the Library District.

The incumbent is required to have hearing acuity sufficient for safe vehicle operation and to hear customers unable to produce normally audible speech and in conditions with background noise. Operate a motor vehicle and be licensed to do so, including legal vision requirements for licensing. Incumbents regularly travel in outreach vehicles to various sites in all kinds of weather and traffic conditions. To accomplish this travel, the incumbent must be able to drive and hold a valid Washington State driver's license. These conditions are not deemed to be inherently dangerous but may be disagreeable on occasion.

The following questions will be asked during the application process and will be considered during the application evaluation:

1. Describe how your experience and skills meet the education and experience requirements for this position as listed on the job posting. Provide specific examples.
2. Describe your experience working with preschool and school-aged children.
3. Describe your experience providing outreach or services outside of a traditional work location or library. Include any experience providing outreach or services to childcare centers, senior living communities, or at community events.
4. Describe the experiences, perspectives, language skills, or cultural knowledge you would bring to this role to help create welcoming and inclusive library services for people from diverse backgrounds. Please include specific examples from your work, community involvement, or personal experiences.
5. This position involves traveling to multiple community locations throughout the workday to provide library programs and services. Describe your experience managing the day-to-day responsibilities of a role like this, including preparing for programs or services, managing schedules and materials, and traveling between locations. How did you stay organized, adapt to the needs of different locations or audiences, and ensure a positive and reliable experience for the people you served?

The purpose of the questions included on the job application is to obtain additional job-related information to evaluate you for the position you are applying for. There are also some personally identifiable questions included to provide us with statistics needed to evaluate our recruitment program. Questions related to your race/ethnicity and gender will not be used in any employment decisions. We would appreciate you assisting us by voluntarily providing this information.