Location Substitute Staffing Team Library Assistants

This is an internal job posting. Only former Multnomah County employees on an active recall list may apply for this opportunity through this site.

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

Pay Range:

$28.47 - $34.80 Hourly

Department:

Library Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

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

August 31, 2025

The Opportunity:

Multnomah County Library is seeking customer service-­oriented professionals to join our new Location Substitute Staffing Team!

Due to departmental reorganization, this is a limited recruitment per Personnel Rule 5-55: Classification of Positions Affected by Reorganization. This recruitment is only open to Library Safety Liaisons.

As a Library Assistant on the Location Substitute Staffing Team, you will be responsible for connecting patrons, both internal and external, with the information they seek. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Responding to information requests and circulation questions through various channels, including in person, over the phone, and via virtual reference platforms such as LibAnswers and Knowledge Tracker in order to locate information, answer questions, and refer questions elsewhere as appropriate.
• Providing readers’ advisory services that include using the catalog and other resources. 
• Conducting customer service conversations and informational interviews with patrons to determine needs.
• Answering information questions about library rules, have initial conversations about low level issues, and refer to the Person-In-Charge (PIC) as needed.
• Helping patrons become aware of, learn about, access and use electronic/digital/virtual library resources including databases and online services.
• Teaching patrons at varying levels of experience to use online services, resources, and personal devices/technology.
• Supporting a safe and welcoming environment by maintaining an awareness of the environment, collaborating, supporting incident response, and actively building relationships with patrons. 
• Supporting patron success by helping them understand library rules and sharing community resources.
• Maintaining, troubleshooting, and reporting issues with software and digital platforms such as Springshare, Knowledge Tracker, Library Website, Bibliocommons, Symphony, etc.
• Consulting with and supporting co-workers, PICs, managers, and Contact Center staff with internal, workflow, patron, or other work tasks in order to ensure smooth/effective virtual library operations.
• Opting-in to serve as PIC if interested.

You will also be responsible for supporting locations. This includes providing “just in time staffing support.” You may be called upon to travel to another location in a specific region to support location operations. Other duties include, but are not limited to:

• Keeping library facilities organized, safe, and neat.
• Consulting with and supporting co-workers, PICs, managers, or other staff with internal, workflow, patron, or other work tasks in order to ensure smooth/effective library operations.
• Helping patrons learn about, reserve, and access library community rooms as well as helping patrons learn about and access other unique library spaces available to the public such as the Makerspace, Teen Spaces, Sensory Rooms, and other areas.
• Providing support for processing and shelving materials as well as searching lists for holds.
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with patrons and the greater population served by the Library, both in a library location as well as community settings.
• Continually refreshing professional skills and complete training.

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, all staff 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:

• Associate's degree or the equivalent years of experience.
• Two years of customer service experience.
• Access to reliable transportation in order to meet staffing support requirements. 
• An employee of the Library in the Library Safety Liaison job profile.

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:

• One year of experience working in a library setting.
• Experience serving in a leadership role.
• Experience serving as person-in-charge of a location or facility.

Screening and Evaluation 
The Application Packet:

• A completed online application

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

Additional Details 
Work Location: These positions will be located at one of the following locations:

• Central Library located at 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
• East County Library (once open) located at 475 NW Division Gresham, OR 97030
• Hollywood Library located at 4040 NE Tillamook Street, Portland, OR 97212

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:

7211 - Library Assistant