Library Reference Assistant - Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Beaverton City Library is looking for a part-time (20 hour/week) Bilingual Reference Assistant. If you: 

• are enthusiastic about libraries 
• love working with people of all ages and want to introduce them to everything the library has to offer 
• are excited about offering Hora de cuentos, our Spanish storytime 
• like working with statistics and data

…then we want to hear from you!

In this job you will work at our reference (customer service) desks about 60% of your work week, interacting with library users of all ages and providing excellent customer service in a busy environment. No two days are the same, and you will help people with a wide variety of topics. In one day you might help an adult download an eBook for the first time, help a child find books about dogs, and connect a family with the social worker who works at the library.

Additionally, you will:

• Lead twice-weekly Hora de cuentos

• Co-host Spanish childcare workshops

• Create Spanish language posts for our social media accounts

• Work with and update Excel files

• Run statistical reports and work with library data

• Assist with removing damaged items from the collections

The Ideal Candidate:

• Loves working with people and providing excellent customer service

• Is excited to work with Beaverton's diverse community

• Communicates effectively with people of various backgrounds

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment

• Finds joy in working with young children

• Enjoys working with statistics and has experience with Microsoft Excel that includes sorting and formulas

The Library: 

The Beaverton City Library serves a diverse community, and our vision is to be the foundation for an engaged and thriving community. We strive to: 

• cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment

• provide exceptional service to patrons

• keep our community at the center of our decisions and the work we do

This is a part-time (20 hours/week) non exempt, SEIU classified position. The weekly schedule will be Sunday-Wednesday and include one evening (until 7:15pm). Please review the specific schedule information in the Supplemental Questions.  There is one vacancy.

Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Beaverton's online portal. You will need to fill out your work history and respond to several supplemental questions. Your education, skills, and experience will be evaluated using the main application form and supplemental questions; a resume and cover letter are not required and do not substitute for a complete application and work history.

• Co-host workshops with early literacy experts for childcare providers in Spanish.

• Lead regular storytimes in Spanish for young children and their families.

• Update booklists.

• Support library operations by working on statistical and clerical projects.

• Assist Spanish-speaking patrons throughout the library and over the phone.

• Provide welcoming, courteous, and efficient customer service to patrons of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.

• Provide quick and accurate answers to patron's reference and reader's advisory questions.

• Assist patrons in their discovery of library materials and resources, both print and digital.

• Assist patrons in the use of library computers, databases and electronic resources.

• Promote an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

• Assist in maintaining a work environment with a culture of teamwork and communication.

• Additional duties are outlined in the Class Specification

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; and

• One year of experience in a library or bookstore; or

• An equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions of the position.  

Licensing and special requirements

• Fluency in English and Spanish, including speaking, reading, and writing.

• Ability to pass reference checks and education verification, and satisfy the requirements of a background check.

• Ability to satisfy the requirements of a pre-employment drug screen, which includes testing for marijuana.

The City of Beaverton is committed to supporting a culture of accountability, equity and inclusion for all, especially marginalized groups. We pledge to continue the ongoing, difficult and essential work needed to address institutional racism and historical inequities in all forms.

Beaverton is a diverse city, boasting a large population of qualified persons, including women, veterans, Black, Indigenous and people of color, persons with disabilities, generational groups, persons who speak many languages and are of diverse national origins.

Studies have shown that many candidates, especially women, are less likely to apply for a job if they do not believe they meet 100% of the hiring criteria. The city's talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We therefore encourage persons with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, even if you believe you do not meet 100% of the qualifications and hiring criteria described.

Wage range: $24.27 - $32.52

Starting rate will be determined depending on relevant work experience as outlined in the Equal Pay Act. New hires who meet minimum requirements will start at step one. Higher steps may be offered to those who have additional years of directly related experience to the position within the posted wage range.

• Hourly wage includes 4% bilingual pay premium

Total compensation package and benefits

In addition to competitive pay, the city offers a wide variety of benefits to regular employees which make up an exceptional total compensation package.

The city pays the full retirement contribution to PERS including the employee portion; provides employees with an opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan; makes available a public service loan forgiveness program and tuition reimbursement program; and offers excellent health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage.

Additional benefits include excellent paid time off (PTO) accrual, PTO cash out options, wellness programs and incentives, a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA with 3% employer contributions, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).