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Makerspace Public Services Specialist

King County Library System
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Job #2024-00117
King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a community-minded Public Services Specialist to support its Makerspace at the Federal Way Library.
 
KCLS Makerspaces are free, library-operated workspaces that bring library patrons together to learn, create, and collaborate. They offer classes and access to emerging technologies and traditional mediums including recording space, 3D printing, design software, and more.
 
The Public Services Specialist is a full-time position, under the supervision of the Librarian & Information Services Manager, and provides a unique opportunity to plan and lead technology-focused public programming offerings delivered in the library.

Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position.
 
Schedule:
Each week, the work schedule for this position will alternate as shown below. All shifts will be worked at the Federal Way Library.
Week 1
Sunday 10:15am-6:15pm
Monday 10:15am-6:15pm
Tuesday 12:15pm-8:15pm
Wednesday 12:15pm-8:15pm
Thursday 10:15am-6:15pm
 
Week 2
Monday 10:15am-6:15pm
Tuesday 12:15pm-8:15pm
Wednesday 12:15pm-8:15pm
Thursday 10:15am-6:15pm
Friday 10:15am-6:15pm

About the Opportunity:
The Public Services Specialist provides subject matter expertise to support STEM/STEAM workshops and day-do-day open lab operations. This includes leading and assisting community library staff in providing curriculum and programming for all ages across the Soundview region; this also includes development and facilitation of activities that support program volunteers.  Additionally, this position performs routine maintenance and upgrades of the Makerspace technology and equipment.

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.

Examples of Duties:

 

Essential Duties

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.
 
 

  • Plans, designs, and implements Makerspace projects and programs.
  • Facilitates Makerspace access and provides support to patrons.
  • Promotes and displays materials, services, and programs in area of focus.
  • Plans and provides training for team members and patrons regarding Makerspace resources and equipment.
  • Maintains equipment to ensure safety and quality services. Reports equipment repair needs and non-routine maintenance to appropriate staff. Manages inventory.
  • Stays current with developments in the communities and maker technology and updates Makerspace offerings.
  • Resolves staff and patron concerns and conflicts ensuring that Rules of Conduct are followed or redirects to appropriate source.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with community contacts and vendors including schools, neighborhood associations, service groups, and community groups.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with community libraries.
  • Works with and reviews Makerspace budgets.
  • Recruits and works with volunteers.

Secondary Duties
 

  • Conducts clerical duties associated with program activities.
  • Serves on committees that impact KCLS services.
  • 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 shared 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

Desired Minimum Qualification:

 

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.

  • Graduation from a two-year vocational or technical degree or certificate program.
  • Three years’ customer service experience that includes decision making and training in maker resources or technologies in a library or other service-oriented setting.
  • 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

  • Experience providing education is preferred.
  • Knowledge of methods and techniques for developing and facilitating training sessions.
  • Demonstrated skills in a variety of maker technologies and maintenance of related equipment.
  • Skills to prioritize work and handle various tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Skills to manage stressful situations and ambiguity.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Effectively interacts with a variety of people with diverse backgrounds in a professional manner.
  • Effective verbal, written, and listening communication skills.
  • Proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Frequently stand and walk throughout work shift and occasionally will sit.
  • Frequently reach out and occasionally reach up or down.
  • Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use for keyboarding. This typing 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 PC monitor.
  • Frequently lift or carry up to 5 lbs. and seldom lift/carry up to 35 lbs.
  • Seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment with light to moderate force.
     

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a typical library environment. Works a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Work involves travel within service area.