Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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Why did you become a librarian?

Was it your passion to serve the community? Was it your love of literature and reading? Was it a need to help people discover the world around them? Was it a desire to find a profession which values your lived experience?

Regardless of your reason, we’re sure glad you did!

Multnomah County Library is looking for a creative, charismatic Bilingual Spanish-speaking Youth Librarian to join our team at Rockwood Library!

This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. The first review of applications will be the week of September 28, 2026. The hiring list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future positions.

As a Bilingual Spanish-speaking Youth Librarian, you provide services to the communities served by a library location. You work closely with regional staff and systemwide colleagues and are a liaison between the local branch, regional, and systemwide Youth Services and cultural/language teams. 

In this role, you are a part of the Language and cultural KSA group , which is comprised of staff members who speak one of our core services languages: Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Working from their assigned locations, Language and cultural KSA group team members connect immigrant and refugee communities to the information and resources they need to be successful in the United States. The team engages our communities with friendly guidance to help them navigate resources and opportunities that will allow them to enrich their lives. As a member of the Spanish Language and cultural KSA group, you have access to a support network of peers who share your lived experiences and who will welcome you into the organization.

In addition, you are responsible for connecting all patrons with the information and services they seek, building and maintaining professional relationships with patrons and community partners, and delivering a variety of professional-level library services such as storytime, and programs for emerging readers, tweens, and teens. In particular, while you assist all patrons, you focus on serving youth (from birth to age 18), families, and those who work with youth. You perform the vital task of matching the personal, educational, and recreational needs of patrons with the appropriate information and resources, and of fostering literacy in youth and families. 

Upholding overarching professional librarianship values is key to this position in order to build trust within the community and grow the community’s trust in Multnomah County Library as a whole. You align those values with local community needs and establish the library location’s priorities based on the Library’s overarching strategic plan.  

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. As a member of our team, you should possess 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. You may elect to serve as Person-in-Charge in the absence of a manager or supervisor. Your ability to exercise quick and mature judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive, physically dangerous or abusive customers and emergencies is crucial.

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.
• Ability to speak, write and read English and Spanish fluently.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or extensive experience with the Spanish-speaking community, demonstrated by your knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of the theories of child and adolescent learning and development and how those theories might impact library service from birth through high school.
• Experience with current and retrospective children's and teen literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, web sites, electronic media and other materials that constitute a diverse and relevant youth collections.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.

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.
• Experience planning, preparing and implementing culturally sensitive programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children.

Screening and Evaluation: 
The Application Packet:

• A completed online application.
• A cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position.

Please only apply once for this opportunity.

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
• Language assessment
• Criminal records and reference checks

Work Location: This position works onsite at Rockwood Library located at 17917 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97233

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

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

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.

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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.

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