Youth Librarian - Indigenous Cultural Competency

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:

$34.80 - $42.71 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):

July 20, 2025

The Opportunity:

Multnomah County Library is seeking a creative, customer service-­oriented, charismatic Indigenous Cultural Competency Youth Librarians to join our team at Belmont Library!

Due to departmental reorganization, this is a limited recruitment per Personnel Rule 5-55: Classification of Positions Affected by Reorganization. It is only open to employees who were in the Library’s School Corps program who meet the qualifications of this position.

As an Indigenous Cultural Competency Youth Librarian, you provide dedicated informational and outreach services designed to support the informational, educational and recreational needs of youth, with an emphasis on Indigenous youth and families. You will instruct children and caregivers in information gathering, research skills and digital literacy skills and take a whole family approach to services. You will conduct regular community needs assessments to identify youth and family needs in partnership with other stakeholders, in order to create tailored services and programs to address identified needs. You will contribute to the library’s community service and enrichment goals by promoting public awareness of library services and programs. 

You will also provide informational and programming outreach to schools, childcares and other youth-serving agencies in the service area. Your focus will be on programming that directly reflects the needs and wants of youth and families, particularly the Indigenous community. This will require collaboration with the Community Engagement and Systemwide Events and Readers Services Teams on planning and execution of public programming and outreach. You will also collaborate with Youth Services and other workgroups as needed to develop or revise programs and services in response to community needs. Finally, you will mentor and partner with Library Assistants and other staff to provide programming responsive to community needs.

You will work with Integrated Services staff to assess and maintain youth/juvenile collections based on knowledge of community needs, which include participating in the selection, removal and replacement of youth/juvenile materials. You will collaborate with the youth selector for system-wide collection development and may serve as selector contact for specific formats.

Your focus will be on your home library and work closely with your fellow Youth Librarian, but you will also support your designated library region as a whole. You will work closely with your regional staff colleagues and serve as a liaison between the local branch, regional, and systemwide Youth Services teams. 

In this role, you can also expect to:

• Be a change agent who is flexible and adaptable
• Take risks and try new things
• Be a team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Manage projects, set priorities and juggle multiple tasks effectively
• Develop and deliver training and programs to the public and staff
• Keep up with the library profession and public library trends and share your knowledge with colleagues generously
• Embrace technological tools in service to our mission and priorities
• Be a champion for promoting reading to people of all ages

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:

• Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program. 
• Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.
• Knowledge of and experience working with the Native American/Alaska Native community. This would be demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience working directly with individuals and families who identify with the Native American/Alaska Native community. 
• Knowledge of the impact of colonization on Native communities and how those communities engage with government organizations.       
• Knowledge of literature for youth directly related to accurate and decolonized depictions of Native and Indigenous communities.  
• Knowledge and understanding of the theories of child and adolescent learning and development and how those theories might impact library service from birth to high school.
• Experience with past and present children's and young adult literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, websites, electronic media and other materials.
   

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.

• Two years of professional youth librarian experience is desirable.
• Experience planning, preparing and implementing culturally sensitive programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children is preferred.
• Understanding of the impact of systemic oppression and its potential impact on marginalized patrons seeking library services.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Indigenous communities, specifically teens, youth, and families within that community.

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
• Reference checks

Work Location: This position works onsite at the Belmont Library located at 1038 SE César E. Chávez Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214. While the Belmont Library is closed for construction, this position will report to the Hawthorne Holds Pickup located at 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214.

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