Public Services Specialist - Clark Children and Family Justice Center - 40 Hours at King County Library System – Seattle, Washington

King County Library System (KCLS) is looking for a dedicated and talented Public Services Specialists to perform a variety of para-professional programs and services that are responsive to the educational, recreational and informational needs of the youth in custody at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC). In this role you will participate in circulation of KCLS materials at the CCFJC Library and collaborate with King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), CCFJC partners and KCLS Youth and Family Services team to develop and deliver inclusive and equitable programs and services.

About the Opportunity:

This position gives you the opportunity to support youth in a juvenile detention center by opening them up to new ideas, skill building, and exposing them to career opportunities. As a Public Services Specialists you will be responsible for creating inclusive and equitable programming with the youth, CCFJC staff, and KCLS's Youth and Family Service Manager. In this role you will explore ways to create opportunities for college and employment certifications using 21st century technology. The position will be used to help explore and inspire potential in a KCLS library setting and will represent KCLS within the larger community.

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.

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.

The primary onsite work location for this position is the Children and Family Justice Center, 1211 E Alder St., Seattle, 98122.

The current schedule is Monday-Friday, 1:00pm - 9:00pm.
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.

• Partners with DAJD staff and other stakeholders to co-create, direct, deliver, and evaluate culturally responsive services, programs and presentations that align with existing KCLS teen program initiatives and meet the needs and interests of youth in custody.
• Develops, implements, and maintains assigned programs for participants at CCFJC.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with staff and community contacts within CCFJC.
• Follows KCLS policies and procedures around patron privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual freedom. Follows all DAJD policies and procedures.
• Provides basic technological and in-depth informational assistance and quality library service to youth in custody. Encourages youth in custody to be active and welcome users of KCLS community libraries upon their release.
• Promotes and supports KCLS’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values with DAJD staff, other stakeholders, and youth in custody. Centers those most impacted by structural inequities, oppression, and other social determinants of trauma when engaging in programming, partnerships, and information services work.
• Participates in circulation of KCLS materials at the CCFJC Library.

Secondary Duties

1. Conducts incidental clerical duties associated with program activities.
2. Attends and actively participates on internal and external committees.
3. Performs other related duties as required or as assigned.

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 education, social sciences, psychology, social work or related field.
• Two to four years’ experience working with teens and/or communities or individuals that are most impacted by systemic inequities, oppression, and other social determinants of trauma.
• 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

• Understands the informational needs and interests of youth in custody.
• Trained in best practices in trauma-informed care and the juvenile justice system.

Professional Licenses and Certifications
DAJD requirements for certified CCFJC access:

• Ability to pass DAJD background check and fingerprinting.
• Completion of Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) training.
• Candidates must be 21 years old to apply.

Core Competencies

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

Organizational Competencies

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will:

• Constantly use hands to grasp objects.

• Frequently reach down and to chest level and occasionally reach up with hands and arms.

• Frequently use hands in conjunction with finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to occasionally.
• Frequently stand and walk throughout shift and occasionally sit..

• Occasionally bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and/or sit on floor and will seldom crawl.

• Require extensive close work, including use of a computer monitor
• Frequently lift and carry items up to 10 lbs. and seldom lift up to 35 lbs.
• Frequently lift and carry items up to 10 lbs. and seldom lift up to 35 lbs.

• Seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment with up to 20 pounds of force.

• Rotate neck up to occasionally.

Work Environment
This job is performed indoors, in a library setting located at a secure correctional facility. Job involves working a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends, which may change periodically. Interactions with individuals that involve behavioral issues may occur. Resources are available to assist with identifying solutions or actions. Requires strict adherence to safety and compliance regulations.