Position closes July 14th, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Schedule:*

32 hours/week

Multiple schedules available

Specific schedules will be discussed during the interview process.

The Central Library is open:

Sunday 9 AM – 6 PM

Monday 9 AM – 8 PM

Tuesday 9 AM – 8 PM

Wednesday 9 AM – 8 PM

Thursday 9 AM – 8 PM

Friday 9 AM – 6 PM

Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM

*Schedule and work location may change based on the needs of the Library.

Public Services Specialist

Are you enthusiastic about serving your community and passionate about working directly with the public? The Deschutes Public Library is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic bilingual Public Services Specialists to join our team at the new Central Library.

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for assisting Library customers at the customer’s point of need including addressing routine and non-routine questions about using the Library, locating materials, and finding information. Our public services team uses technology to serve customers while also provide technology related instruction to enhance the Library customer experience. 

Successful candidates will have prior proven experience in customer service including maintaining a welcoming, positive customer service experience by demonstrating engagement, empathy, responsiveness, and courtesy in all interactions.

Bilingual English/Spanish skills are required for this role, and candidates will be required to pass an assessment demonstrating fluency.

What to Expect:

The Library’s public services staff works directly with the public at the customer’s point of need. This includes moving frequently within the branch to connect directly with all customers throughout the Library.

Team members are responsible for handling multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in a high-volume environment that may require repetition, innovation, empathy, as well as utilizing conflict management and de-escalation skills as necessary.

This position may travel to other Library locations, workshops, professional meetings, events, and conferences as needed or assigned.

Compensation and Benefits:

Monthly Salary: The hiring range is $ 3,279.71 – $3,691.34, a maximum step five of the twelve step range. The position salary range is $ 3,279.71 – $ 4,539.88.

The Deschutes Public Library offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

Health, dental (including orthodontia), and vision insurance

Paid time off, including vacation, sick time and 12 paid holidays

6% pay differential above base salary for proven bilingual English/Spanish fluency

Retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) with 100% employer match

Opportunities for professional development and continuing education

PURPOSE OF POSITION

This position provides a high level of direct customer service to all customers who use the Deschutes Public Library (Library) and its buildings, services, resources and programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Customer Service: Assists customers at their point of need regarding routine and non-routine questions about using the Library, locating materials, and finding information. Uses technology to serve customers and provide technology related instruction to develop resolutions. Maintains a welcoming, positive experience for customers by being attentive, empathetic, responsive, fair, courteous and respectful in all interactions.
• Library Readiness: Retains the professional, safe, and welcoming environment of the Library building by following established policies and procedures for day-to-day operations. Assists with opening and closing procedures.
• Circulation Activities: Uses various types of Library software and systems to help customers and to maintain accuracy of item and customer records for checking in and checkout of materials. Verifies and assists with confidential customer account information, performs holds/requests processes and fulfillment for prompt distribution of materials, and provides information and/or routine data-entry about Library related transactions.
• Materials Handling: After checking in materials, fulfills holds, routes materials to the appropriate library location, and sorts and shelves books according to their categorization following established policies, guidelines and procedures.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS

• Participates actively in weekly and/or monthly meetings and assigned projects.
• Presents pre-designed programs such as computer classes, story times, and book discussions as assigned.
• Performs District-wide activities such as, but not limited to, ILL processing, Homebound services.
• Guides or instructs volunteers by following established guidelines from the volunteer resource handbook, or as directed by the Volunteer Services Coordinator and/or supervisor.
• Develops advanced customer service and/or library skills through continuing education opportunities.
• Participates on committees and project/action teams as directed by manager or supervisor.
• Develops and implements initiatives in support of planning; coordinates project work with others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL AND KNOWLEDGE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS

The position requires high school diploma with preference for associate’s degree or similar. Requires emergent, overall customer service skill level consisting of a minimum two+ years of providing effective customer service to varied age groups. Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described.

This position requires the following skills and abilities to be successful:

• Ability to perform job tasks effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to promote the Library’s services, resources and programs.
• Presents a positive image of the library through professional and courteous communication techniques.
• Demonstrates success working independently and in a team setting.
• Practices and uses sound conflict resolution methods, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to support and explain Library policies and procedures.
• Ability to encourage and support diversity, inclusiveness and equity.
• Ability to speak, understand, and write clearly and concisely; bilingual Spanish and English skills strongly desired.
• Effective use of the integrated Library system (ILS), RFID technologies, and the Library’s website.
• Intermediate knowledge of PC applications for library operations including word processing, spreadsheets, email, Internet, chat, presentation software, SharePoint and data management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF POSITION

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is continuously required to communicate by talking and listening, use of fingers and hands, repetitive motion and sitting. Frequently required to stand, walk, reach, and feel. Occasionally bend, stoop, grasp and rarely to feel, kneel or crawl. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to 15 pounds on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc.; may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 35 pounds.

Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 75% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment. High volume environment with high accuracy requirements for numeric and alpha processing.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There is a potential for occasional hazards or obstacles, and a low level of personal risk stemming from environmental conditions and/or human-driven potential hazards. Job conditions are usually stable, well managed, and comfortable. Conditions may consist of the following:

• Regular interactions with library customers, visitors, work colleagues, and volunteers.
• Varied office and/or library work space settings.
• Pushing/pulling 100 pound carts.
• Close and distant vision with ability to adjust focus for accurate reading of low, middle, and high shelves.
• Reading for comprehension and direction (policies & procedures).
• Handling multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in high volume environment that may require repetitive tasks.
• Speaking to share/respond, to maintain relationships, and to convey instructions and/or direction.
• Considerable cognitive process to make effective decisions for interpersonal interactions.
• Use various equipment including computers with a keyboard and mouse, telephone, and other electronic devices to help customers, share documents, information and discussion.
• Travel to other Library locations and/or to workshops/professional meetings/conferences as needed or assigned.
• Encounters frequent new and varied work situations of moderate complexity.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts made are with the public, volunteers and staff members. Interactions frequently contain confidential/sensitive information necessitating discretion at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position maintains their own work with review and direction. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification. Decisions made within broad interpretation of applicable guidelines and Library policies and rules.

This description covers the most significant essential and auxiliary duties performed by the position for illustration purposes, but does not include other occasional work, which may be similar, related to, or a logical assignment for the position. This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.