Library Operations Project Specialist

Job Number 2025-00003
King County Library System is seeking a Library Operations Project Specialist to support and coordinate the implementation of strategic and department initiatives. This role performs professional and administrative duties through planning, oversight, and resource to public service project activities. The incumbent serves as a critical link in project management to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness through continuous quality improvement.

In this position, you will have the opportunity to oversee system-wide projects and initiatives from inception to implementation in alignment with 2025 organizational priorities.

This is a perfect opportunity if you have strong interpersonal skills, are detailed oriented, and passionate about working to advance the mission, vision, and values of the King County Library System.

Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses why they are interested in the position and how they meet the qualifications listed. 

About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.
 
Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.
 
From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.
 
The King County Library System values the diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures of all qualified individuals. We seek applicants that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , individuals with disabilities, veterans, etc.
 
KCLS welcomes reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities as an opportunity to assist qualified individuals to participate in the job application or interview process and/or perform the essential functions of the position upon hire. 

Need an accommodation to apply or interview? Call (425) 369-3224 or email employment@kcls.org.
 
KCLS ensures equal opportunities and consideration for all job applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. KCLS does not tolerate discrimination or harassment during any stage of employment, including in recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, leave of absence, compensation, or training.The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job. 

• Creates, revises, and maintains department procedures and clarifies systemwide or site-specific policies to support and promote KCLS operational activities in libraries.
• Organizes and tracks project tasks, timelines, and deliverables to ensure they align with assigned project plans and goals. 
• Facilitates communication with stakeholders, team members, and leadership for project progress updates, documentation, and change management. 
• Assists the Director of Library Operations in preparing department short- and long-term strategic plans, including annual operational budget, key performance indicators, and initiatives. 
• Collects and analyzes pertinent data to evaluate the performance of operational activities and prepares statistical and special reports and recommendations as assigned. 
• Maintains operationalized programs launched by department director for continuity of business activities. 
• Serves as a resource to library operations leadership and community library staff to advise, troubleshoot problems, and coordinate projects and plans. 
• Oversees, supports, and encourages adherence to all applicable library policies, procedures, and guidelines in areas of focus. 
• Collaborates with operations and administrative support staff by serving as advocate for both public service and operations staff and services. 
• Works with public services senior leadership to research and respond to operational suggestions and ideas. 

Secondary Duties
1. Co-facilitates regular meetings with community library staff 
2. Provides clerical support associated with project activities. 
3. May respond to public complaints and suggestions. 
4. Serves on various internal and external committees 
5. Participates in the hiring process for operations staff. 
6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

 Core Competencies:
Each KCLS position has job-specific competencies. These competencies describe characteristics needed for optimum performance in the position. In addition, there are organizational competencies applicable to all positions at KCLS that encompass the culture and set expectations for how work is performed.
Organizational Competencies

• Valuing Diversity

Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably. Respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn about differences.

• Customer Focus

Primarily focused on customer needs. Able to deliver high-quality, value-added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.

• Ethics, Values and Judgement

Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct. Consistently demonstrates organization’s values, moral principles, and accountability in behavior, character, and action. Defends intellectual freedom and confidentiality.

• Professional and Technical Knowledge

Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas. Purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to better foster personal success and connections for others.
Job-Specific Competencies

• Interpersonal Savvy 

Relates well to all kinds of people at all levels, both internally and externally. Builds appropriate relationships. Interactions are often purposeful and constructive. 

• Organizing and Planning

Establishes courses of action for self. Can influence others to ensure that work is efficient. Appropriately sensitive to real restraints on time and resources. Willing to take a risk.

• Dealing with Ambiguity

Can shift gears comfortably. Can decide and act without the total picture and comfortably handle risk and uncertainty. Does not exhibit excessive need to control or track. Can ‘let go’ and move forward in uncertainty.

• Teamwork/Collaboration

Works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of, utilizes and celebrate their own and team member’s strengths and differences.

Education and Experience 

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, education, social sciences, or public administration. 
• Two years’ experience in project management, developing and facilitating training, or facilitating project-based solutions. 
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered. 

Knowledge and Skills

• Well-developed project management skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of change management concepts.
• Knowledge of budget development and tracking.
• Demonstrated time management skills, including prioritizing work and meeting deadlines.
• Highly organized and detail oriented. • Flexible and adapts to changing priorities.
• Clearly, succinctly, and effectively communicates ideas verbally and in writing with various and diverse audiences.
• Build and maintaining collaborative working partnerships.
• Focused listening and customer service skills.

Professional Licenses and Certifications 
A valid Washington driver’s license


WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a typical office environment. Work schedule may include occasional early morning and/or evening meetings or commitments. Occasional travel within service area is required. Incumbent may be permitted hybrid telework schedule upon request.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will: Constantly sit throughout work shift and frequently will stand and walk. Frequently reach out at chest level with hands and arms and occasionally reach up or down. Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to frequently. Rotate neck up to occasionally. Change tasks depending upon the shift. Require extensive close work, including use of a computer monitor. Occasionally operate foot controls. Occasionally lift and carry up to 10 lbs. and seldom lift and carry up to 20 lbs. Seldom push or pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force

Salary : $37 - $45