Language Specialist - Spanish
Language Specialist - Spanish
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Job Description
General Position Summary
Job Number: 2025-00109
The King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a collaborative and skilledLanguage Specialist - Spanish to join our Equity and Social Impact department. This position develops and maintains relationships within Latinx and Spanish speaking communities to foster connection with the library systems resources and co-create linguistically and culturally relevant communications programs and services.
About King County Library System:
Of the more than 1.6 million residents who live within the KCLS service area almost half identify as Black Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC). In addition a quarter of residents were born outside the United States with the most common countries of origin being India Mexico China Vietnam the Philippines South Korea Canada Ukraine Taiwan and Ethiopia. One-third of the all-KCLS service population speaks a language other than English as their first language 12% have limited English proficiency and Spanish is by far the most common primary language other than English.
About this Opportunity:
TheLanguage Specialist will establish and maintain relationships and interact with the Service Center departments community libraries and with public and private agencies and community groups. The areas of focus for this position may include strategy communications and education linguistically and culturally relevant programs and services or other targeted responses to community need. The Language Specialist reports directly to the World Language Coordinator.
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 1000 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 or email.
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.- Leads the organizational response to identified language needs including co-creation planning and design of relevant programs and services in alignment with system priorities.
- Promotes delivers and evaluates programs and services in focus area. Reports outcomes to inform continuous improvement and demonstrate community impact.
- Identifies training and support needs for program and service delivery support. Designs develops and selects content and produces training manuals and materials.
- Assists with communication and relationship-building efforts between KCLS community libraries the ESI department and internal stakeholders. Supports local program and service planning and delivery.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with community contacts including schools neighborhood associations service groups community-based organizations and groups representing the countys diverse populations to support co-creation and awareness of changing demographics.
- Collaborates with internal departments and committees volunteers and external partners stakeholders and participants to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
- Advises on policies and practices that improve language access and inclusive library services.
- Onboards trains monitors and manages volunteers and independent contractors in support of programs and services in focus area.
- Serves as liaison to the Communications & Marketing department staff regarding internal and external communications initiatives in assigned world language.
Secondary Duties- Conducts incidental clerical duties associated with program activities.
- Attends and actively participates on internal and external committees.
- Stays informs on language access trends and best practices in serving multilingual populations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
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.- Associates or technical degree or certificate.
- Three years of experience in a service-oriented setting.
- Four years of higher education study in the focus area language or a related area.
- 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- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of best practices in organizational diversity equity and inclusion.
- Knowledge of and skills in working effectively with culturally diverse populations.
- Demonstrated collaborative relationships to gain trust and establish credibility with communities cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in the focus area language
- Responsive to demands in a proactive and effective manner.
- Flexible and adaptive to changing needs.
- Skills to work on several projects at the same time while keeping track of progress challenges and deadlines.
Professional Licenses and Certifications- A valid Washington State drivers license is required.
- Must pass an oral and written proficiency assessment in a language other than English depending on the area of focus.
Core Competencies:
Each KCLS position has job-specific competencies. These competencies describe characteristics needed for optimum performance in the position. In addition there are organizational 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 organizational 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.
Teamwork/Collaboration
Works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve goals and deliverables. Is aware of utilizes and celebrate their own and team members strengths and differences.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job the employee will:- Frequently sit throughout work shift and occasionally stand and walk.
- Seldom reach up or down and frequently reach out at chest level with hands and arms.
- Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use. Keyboarding may be repetitive up to occasionally.
- Rotate neck up to occasionally.
- Change tasks depending upon the shift.
- Require extensive close work including use of a computer monitor.
- Occasionally operate foot controls.
- Occasionally lift and carry items up to 10 lbs. and seldom lift up to 20 lbs.
- Seldom push or pull carts and wheeled equipment with light force.
Work is performed in a typical office environment and in the community for engagement activities. Work schedule may include occasional early morning evening and/or weekend meetings or commitments. Some travel within the service area is required. Incumbent may be permitted hybrid telework schedule upon request.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
