Limited Duration Community Engagement and Outreach Librarian

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$34.80 - $42.71 Hourly

Department:

Library Department

Job Type:

Limited Duration

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

June 15, 2025

The Opportunity:

Bringing library services to you.

At Multnomah County Library, we believe library services shouldn’t be confined to our neighborhood library locations. That’s why we’ve developed a robust offering of outreach activities that go beyond our walls and into the communities we serve. We bring the library to you!

To support the success of our outreach activities, we’re looking to add a new member to our team. We’re pleased to announce we’re hiring a Limited Duration Community Engagement and Outreach Librarian!

Are you interested?

The Community Engagement and Outreach Librarian works systemwide to provide coordination support in planning, conducting and evaluating outreach.

This is a limited duration position. Limited duration positions are long-term temporary positions that offer employees full access to County benefits and leaves. This position is a two year appointment, but it may end early based on the business needs of the library. The hiring list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future full time, part-time, temporary or limited duration positions should they become available.

As the Community Engagement and Outreach Librarian, you will support our public locations in planning, coordinating and evaluating their outreach as well as work with other library staff to plan, prepare and implement community outreach. As our subject matter expert, you will provide expert advice, guidance and consultation to staff in other divisions providing direction, information on best practices in outreach and oversight as needed. In collaboration with the Community Engagement team, you will develop  best practices and tracking tools for outreach at the Library, developing systemwide outreach priorities and monitoring systemwide outreach needs. 

You will also build and maintain relationships with patrons, neighborhood organizations and the greater population served by Multnomah County Library, in both library and community settings. You will explore and implement intentional partnerships to support and promote community outreach. You will establish connections with a diverse customer base to develop positive Library experiences with customers and to raise awareness of the Library’s essential role in early literacy, school success, lifelong learning and personal achievements. 

Your other duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Analyzing, researching, developing and initiating project ideas as well as preparing project proposals.
• Preparing reports and developing recommendations for managers on specific areas of library service.
• Consulting on projects and initiatives related to outreach and community engagement.
• Work with our training team and other library staff to create and deliver new training around community outreach as needed. 
• Creating and contributing to booklists, bibliographies, pathfinders, training guides and social media to support outreach efforts.
• Establishing a collaborative and professional work environment with staff and stakeholders that concentrates on creativity, best practices and emulates an excellent level of customer service.

This position comes with a Tuesday - Saturday schedule.

The library is open and welcoming to all members of our community, including individuals who may be encountering hardships or challenges that affect their behavior and interactions. This position requires someone with the ability to work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups. You must demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor while working with customers, co-workers and community. In providing customer service, you may encounter situations that require de-escalation or assistance from a supervisor or person-in-charge. Your ability to exercise quick and mature judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive, physically dangerous or abusive customers and emergencies is crucial.
 
Multnomah County Library is committed to supporting our communities of color and other communities subjected to marginalization by centering race and intersectionality in the services we provide. As a member of our team, you are expected to act as allies to library staff and patrons from communities of color and other groups subjected to marginalization by:

• Speaking up to support staff and patrons subjected to marginalization.
• Speaking out against racism and oppression.
• Demonstrating behavior that is culturally aware and sensitive. 

Learn more about the library’s services on our website.

To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Master's degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited college or university.
• At least 2 years of professional librarian experience.
• At least 2 years of experience focusing equity in work.
• An understanding of library outreach principles and practices.
• Ability to work various shifts depending upon the needs of the Library, including evenings, weekends to support outreach events in the community.
• Knowledge of principles of  community engagement, community organizing, environmental or social justice. 
• Knowledge and understanding of systemic racism and oppression and how it impacts communities of color and other communities subjected to marginalization and exclusion. 
• Ability to ground equity work in anti-racist principles and practice.
• An understanding of and ability to apply an equity lens. 
• Demonstrates knowledge of the effects of colonization on communities of color and other communities subjected to marginalization through direct experience in community engagement or social justice. 
• An understanding of differences and impact across cultural communities of cultural differences in communication, language, actions, presentation and cultural norms.
• Ability to facilitate discussions and make presentations to small and large groups, particularly to non dominant cultures and non-native English speakers.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience working with communities from non dominant cultures. This would be demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of marginalized communities as well as the ability to identify specific examples of working directly with individuals and families who identify with being from disadvantaged communities.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Experience with planning and coordinating library services in the community.
• Project management experience, including successfully managing change.

Screening and Evaluation 

The Application Packet:

• A completed online application.
• A cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.

Please apply only once for this opportunity.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference and criminal records checks

Additional Details 
Work Location: This position works onsite at the Library Operations Center located at 221 NE 122nd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97230.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page. 

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Anthony Cesario

Email:

anthonyc@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 9883109 x83109

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

7222 - Librarian