Public Services Assistant I
Public Services Assistant IThe Lynnwood Library is seeking a detail-oriented, team-focused individual with a genuine passion for providing excellent public service to join our team. In this role, you will perform a variety of public service and library support tasks that contribute to the effective operation of the library, helping to provide services, spaces, and resources that reflect diverse cultures and perspectives and are intentionally inclusive and accessible to everyone.
As one of the largest and busiest branches in the Sno-Isle system, the Lynnwood Library serves a vibrant and rapidly growing community. Located in a central transit hub for Snohomish County, our library welcomes customers from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Our spaces and services, including public computers, printers, study tables and rooms, and meeting spaces, are in high demand.
This position works as part of a large, collaborative team in a fast-paced environment. Primary responsibilities include assisting customers at the service desk, answering phones, registering customers for library cards, and processing and evaluating library materials. Through strong customer service and a solid understanding of basic library operations, the Public Services Assistant helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all community members, with a shared commitment to ensuring everyone feels connected to their library.
We are looking for a candidate who enjoys variety in their workday, approaches challenges with curiosity and strong problem-solving skills, and brings a positive attitude toward innovation and evolving workflows to optimize efficiency and enhance customer service. The selected candidate will work on Wednesday & Thursday, 12:40 pm-8:10 pm, and on Friday & Saturday, 10:40 am-6:10pm. Flexibility to adjust schedule and location in response to library needs is required.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 2.
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 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.
Provide assistance at the library circulation desk, answers phones, checks library materials in and out, registers customers for library cards, and orders various library materials.
Assist customers with self-checkout machines and answers questions in the hold areas.
Return library materials to proper locations and supports circulation duties.
Provide assistance to library customers with basic reference questions.
Respond to technical services calls and assists with problems with the fax machines, public copiers, pay-for-print stations, vending machines, and printers.
Submit and monitor technical reports for library technology service issues.
Perform other public service and general clerical support tasks as assigned.
Additional duties and responsibilities include:
Prepare correspondences and reports.
Train new staff as needed.
Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
Assist with special projects as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
The position reports to a Library Circulation Supervisor or Library Manager, depending on the size of the Library. Although direct supervision is not a normal part of this position's work, incumbents may be called on to provide task direction to Page staff and library volunteers in absence of a supervisor.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
Knowledge of established practices and procedures for an integrated library system (ILS).
Knowledge of library policies, procedures, and services.
Knowledge of alpha and numeric systems for arranging library materials.
Strong customer service skills.
Strong organization and attention to detail.
Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
Ability to handle and resolve disruptive behavior effectively.
Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, electronic databases, email, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.
Education and experience for this position can be acquired by a combination of experience and education including:
High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
These skills and abilities typically are acquired through completion of secondary school or equivalent together with several months in a customer service environment.
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.
Most of the work is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment. 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; and operate computers for extended periods of time.
An incumbent must occasionally 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, and 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 following questions will be asked during the application process and will be considered during the application evaluation:
Describe how your experience and skills meet the education and experience requirements for this position as listed on the job posting. Provide specific examples.
Provide two examples of times when you provided excellent customer service. Briefly describe each situation, what you said or did, and the outcome.
Provide one example providing technical assistance to customers, such as helping with a printer, copier, or any other equipment.
Provide one example of a time you had to use good organizational skills and had to pay attention to a lot of details.
Describe a time you had to shift your focus in order to adjust for workflow priorities. What did you do and why did you make that decision?
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.
Sno-Isle Libraries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. This and all Sno-Isle Libraries' positions are subject to transfer.