Cataloging Assistant Services Manager bei City of Seattle, WA
City of Seattle, WA · Seattle, Vereinigte Staaten Von Amerika · Hybrid
- Professional
- Optionales Büro in Seattle
About the Department
Invitation to Compete #50-25: Cataloging Assistant Service Manager
Technical and Collection Services
Central Library, 1000 4thAve. , Seattle, WA 98104
Regular, FLSA exempt, full-time, benefitted position (80 hours per pay period)
Salary range: $110,183.76 - $133,757.28 annually
The work for this position will be completed over a five-day (Monday – Friday) schedule with scheduled hours between 7 am to 6 pm; Hybrid opportunity: in-office minimum of three (3) days a week. Option to work remotely two (2) days per week after a training period of approximately six months. Remote schedule subject to change depending on business needs.
This position is open to the public and employees of The Seattle Public Library. Candidates are asked to submit an application, cover letter and resume in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 2025. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information.
OVERVIEW:
As part of The Seattle Public Library our mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.
The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others. If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library encourages you to apply for the Cataloging Assistant Service Manager position.
Technical and Collection Services (TCS) is a quality-controlled production environment located at the Central Library. TCS is responsible for the selection, acquisition, cataloging, and processing of Library resources for circulation. In 2024, the Seattle Public Library added over 200,000 new books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and other physical and digital resources to a collection of approximately 1.8M items. The Library’s 2025 materials budget is approximately $10M including operating, Levy, and Foundation funds.
This position reports to the Technical and Collection Services Manager and works as part of the management team in TCS, which also includes one assistant managing librarian and one operations manager. This position will supervise the Cataloging unit in TCS, which is comprised of four cataloging librarians and four copy catalogers (Library Technician 3). Upcoming projects in the Cataloging unit will include a migration from our current Integrated Library System (ILS) Horizon to a new ILS (to be determined) and updating documentation and procedures on our SharePoint site.
The Cataloging Assistant Service Manager (ASM)is responsible for overseeing the timely and accurate cataloging of Library resources and helping staff in the unit solve problems and assess the workflow. They answer escalated customer service inquiries and external questions about the catalog, new materials status, and other technical services topics. They serve in a backup capacity for other TCS managers and support staff in all TCS units. This position will work with the whole TCS department to coordinate workflow for new materials, and with Special Collections, Information Technology ,Shelving Operations, Materials Distribution, and other public services departments on special projects and regular work.
Position Duties
Payroll and Personnel Transactions: Ensure proper reporting of time worked and proper use of leave balances. Monitor and report payroll adjustments. Serve as the liaison with the Human Resources and Payroll Coordinator to ensure that timesheet information is accurate and payroll practices are consistent with policies. Keep informed of changes in payroll practices and procedures and communicate policies and procedures to staff. Route questions and issues relating to payroll issues to appropriate administrative support. Responsible for paperwork related to new hires, separations, leaves and other staffing transactions in the unit.
Staffing: Plan for staff turnover, respond to temporary staff changes and needs and assist with new hire processes. Facilitate recruiting and selection processes for the Cataloging unit. Collaborate with TCS management team and Human Resources, including requesting authorization to proceed as required and participating in the interviewing and reference checking process, recommending selections, and providing for new staff orientation and training at the worksite. Ensure that staffing actions such as separations, transfers and appointment changes (reductions in hours, etc.) are properly documented and reported and receive appropriate
administrative oversight.
Technical Services: Remain current with trends and issues in cataloging and bibliographic control, lead the training of cataloging librarians, and lead establishing cataloging, authority control, and bibliographic maintenance policies and procedures in the unit. Work with appropriate Information Technology staff to oversee the ILS function and public discovery layer of the catalog, and project manage system-wide cataloging projects and changes including staff from public services, technical services, communications, and IT.
Customer Service & Systemwide Coordination: Provide expertise and leadership for staff systemwide in their service area. Work as part of the management team reporting to a service manager to ensure consistent and responsive internal and/or external customer service and leadership in that service area, including patron communication as required. For example, participate on The Lending Committee to support systemwide cataloging functions and answer staff questions, or join cross-functional management team meetings to represent TCS and communicate with all staff about cataloging changes.
Resource Management: Along with the Service Manager, manage the cataloging resources and budget to provide the best possible service to patrons, including communicating with vendors, establishing and monitoring contracts for services and/or programs, and liaising with other Library departments and service areas as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience. Master of Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited library school preferred.
Supervision skills: Three to five years of experience managing a team of professional and/or paraprofessional staff to provide library services. Training and experience should include: (1) ability to plan and organize own work and that of others; (2) ability to delegate work and to monitor work after delegation; (3) knowledge of and/or training in supervisory practices, individual coaching and staff training, work planning and scheduling and performance evaluation; (4) general knowledge of rules applications, regulations, labor agreements and policies and practices relating to staffing, and experience working in a unionized environment; and (5) workflow analysis and improvement.
Workgroup direction: Project management experience and/or experience facilitating cross-departmental projects, including introducing new initiatives and programs of service. Demonstrated team building experience and an understanding of change management. Experience working in an urban environment with diverse staff, modeling excellent internal and external customer service. A commitment to staff development, life-long learning, and ability to lead and support staff in creating and maintaining a positive environment.
Communication skills: Excellent communication skills including the ability to develop training and information materials and make formal and informal presentations to staff. The ability to persuade, motivate, and develop collaborative working relationships is essential.
Judgment and initiative: Ability to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision, understand and interpret a variety of complex oral and written instructions, exercise initiative and creativity in resolving problems, recognize and set priorities, and coordinate multiple on-going projects.
Office technology skills: Experience using integrated library systems (ILS), Microsoft Office365products, Teams, and SharePoint online
Project management skills: Demonstrated skill at coordinating projects across departments and divisions. Experience building consensus with stakeholders in all levels of the organization, and ability to craft and communicate messages for system-wide changes and projects.
Technical services skills: A thorough understanding of the principles of intellectual freedom as they apply to the selection of library materials and a commitment to these principles and to the Library’s mission and goals. In-depth knowledge of OCLC, DDC classification, and RDA cataloging protocols. Experience with and knowledge of critical cataloging. Deep understanding of how the ILS and its functions (cataloging, serials, acquisitions, and circulation) works within the Library technology ecosystem and the ability to educate others. Patron-centered focus and understanding of cataloging and its impacts.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
•Reading and writing fluency in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Amharic, Spanish, Russian, Arabic,or Somali
•Experience leading an ILS migration, and/or leading staff training in cataloging or acquisitions as part of an ILS migration
•Budget creation and forecasting experience.
Other Qualifications
How to Apply
Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items in NEOGOV by 5:00pm on October 30, 2025.Your application will not be considered if these items are missing or incomplete.
- Complete online application.
- A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position.
- Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.
Benefits and Salary Information
The full salary range for this position is $110,183.76 - $133,757.28 annually
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans
Additional Information
If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to [email protected]. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.
