Branch Librarian (Prison Libraries)

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

The Washington State Library connects people to the power of libraries. As Washington's oldest cultural institution, the library's unique and rare collections date back to territorial days. Resources include historical print and digital compilations, collections of state newspapers and maps, state and federal government publications, and the Ask-a-Librarian service.

The library benefits local libraries and their patrons through its consulting services, grants, subsidies, training, and programming. Additionally, the Washington State Library provides services to state prison and state hospital libraries. OSOS also operates the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library(WTBBL) in Seattle, a library for people unable to read standard print.
Institutional Library Services is a program of the Washington State Library that provides library services to the incarcerated individuals and patients in Washington's prisons and State Hospitals. These positions provide library and information services to incarcerated individuals by performing complex technical library duties and problem solving related to collection development, reference/information delivery, and automated circulation systems.

Branch staff maintains day-to-day library services and operations, performs collection management duties, participates in branch library program and assists other branches, and performs bibliographic and information searches and answers reference questions.

We currently have two openings with the Institutional Library Services of the Washington State Library.  One opening at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen (SCCC-0407) and one opening at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center in Clallam Bay (CBCC-0491).

Don't quite meet the Library & Archival Professional 2 qualifications, but think you might be a great fit on our team?  We're willing to fill this position as an in-training from the Library & Archival Professional 1 level. This means you would have an assigned training plan which includes classroom and on the job training. Upon successful completion you will promote to a Library & Archival Professional 2.
 
This position is an in-training position and can be filled at either the Library & Archival Professional 1 or Library & Archival Professional 2 level depending on the applicant's qualifications.  Monthly salary ranges for the two levels are as follows:   
 

• Library & Archival Professional 1:  $3,883  - $5,214 
• Library & Archival Professional 2: $4,072  - $5,479 

Please note: It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time.Maintains day-to-day library services and operations

• Performs duties such as serials, materials processing, outreach, and other ongoing library services
• Organizes, implements, and maintains all phases of interlibrary loan process
• Manages automated circulation system, registering new patrons, creating holding records, entering bibliographic information, preparing and customizing reports, database clean-up and inventory
• Hires, trains, supervises, coaches, and organizes the daily work of incarcerated library clerks
• Establishes guidelines for appropriate behavior of incarcerated library customers
• Enforces institutional and library rules
• Orders and maintains library and office supplies
• Compiles periodic statistical and narrative reports
• Plans, monitors, and evaluates service delivery

Performs collection management duties

• Selects formats of library materials to meet the full range of library/information needs of the customers of the branch library
• Confers with institution staff and contract staff regarding their clients' information needs and keeps them informed when the library is able to meet those needs
• Uses online tools to create orders
• Assesses, evaluates, and maintains collections through periodic weeding and inventory

Participates in branch library program and assists other branches

• Provides coverage for other branch libraries
• Acts as a resource for troubleshooting and/or problem solving for ongoing or special projects
• Provides technical support or subject expertise to accomplish program goals
• Works with colleagues on projects for other branches, such as planning, implementing, and evaluating major changes
• May assist other staff with reference, interlibrary loan or other tasks to ease workloads
• Attends office sponsored training activities and events

Performs bibliographic and information searches and answers reference questions

• Selects material to fill information requests and assists incarcerated individuals with bibliographic tools

Required Qualifications:
At the Library & Archival Professional 1 level:

• Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program
• Current Washington driver's license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation

At the Library & Archival Professional 2 level:

• Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program
• Within the past 10 years, one year of professional experience in a library providing adult/young adult public services
• Current Washington driver's license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation
• Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience providing adult/young adult reference and reader's advisory services
• Collection management experience, including selection, weeding, and record maintenance
• At the Professional 1 level, one year experience in a library providing adult/young adult public services.  At the Professional 2 level, two years experience in a library providing adult/young adult public services.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Certification by State Librarian authorized through the Office of the Secretary of State - this qualification is not mandatory for application but is mandatory for employment
• If in a Department of Corrections institution, successful completion of DOC CORE training must be completed within the first 9 months of employment
• Willingness and ability to work within the constraints of institutions and work effectively with customers (incarcerated individuals or psychiatric patients)
• Must pass a criminal history background check

HOW TO APPLY
Please attach a resume and a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position description and the required and preferred/desired qualifications.

The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, age, gender, marital status, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, military status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any sensory, mental or physical ability. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing the announcement in alternative format, should call (360) 704-5211.   

Salary : $46,596 - $65,748