Library Community & Information Specialist - Archive & Special Collections

Position Description

We are seeking a Specialist to join our Archives and Special Collections team in the Northwest Room. The Northwest Room at the Tacoma Public Library preserves and provides access to materials related to the history, people, places, and built environment of the Pacific Northwest, Tacoma, and the South Puget Sound region. The department houses vast collections of photographs, clipping files, maps, manuscripts, newspapers, genealogy research materials, books on local history, along with other historical records.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Welcome patrons and explain processes and procedures for handling archival materials
• Respond to complex local history reference requests
• Process, arrange and describe complex archival collections in adherence to best practices
• Researches and writes standards-compliant descriptions and authority records, applying metadata standards to provide enhanced access to digital collections
• May plan, coordinate and execute local history programs

Qualifications

Two years of customer service experience*

* Educational courses may substitute for experience

**Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it!

Desired Qualifications:
Experience working in an archive, museum or special collections library
Bachelor’s or associate degree
Bilingual skills in English and another language relevant to the Tacoma community

Knowledge & Skills

General knowledge of the following: archival principles and practices with an interest in historical research and preservation; routine software and business applications, including but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases; ability to learn specialized software and digitization processes; use of integrated library systems software and web applications; performing library operations and functions.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
The Community
Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation.View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI
To be Considered for this Rewarding Career
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental questionnaire scored. Candidates who pass the assessment will be ranked on the eligible list and their application materials will be reviewed for interview and hiring consideration. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 120. Individuals given a conditional offer of employment must also pass a background check. New employees must successfully complete a six month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Tacoma Public Library Stands Against Racism and White Supremacy
Tacoma Public Library is opposed to white supremacy in all of its forms and is committed to fostering an organization that is actively anti-racist. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We are grieving with our black community and all communities of color who continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism. We are committed to being a trusted community resource available to all and will provide resources and public programs that seek to reflect the values of anti-racism and elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Tacoma Public Library
Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for more than 125 years. TPL's neighborhood libraries originated with Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century and are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service--and vital community hubs--that continue to provide far more than free books and materials. Learn more about the Tacoma Public Library and the services we provide at www.tacomalibrary.org and connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn to stay up to date on exciting things happening at the library, and to be notified of other career opportunities with us.

Communication from the City of Tacoma
NOTE : For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact Kat Flores, HR Analyst.
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

Get Assistance
For assistance with the NeoGov application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. ( For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system , call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00am and 5:00pm Pacific Time.)

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $29.11 - $35.38
Annual Salary: $61,817.60 - $87,068.80
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Insurance Plans: You may participate in one of several group health insurance programs. Employees and their dependents are covered by a medical-surgical-hospital plan, vision plan, dental plan, and employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance and Deferred Compensation options are also available.
Employees are covered by the State Industrial Insurance Act.

Paid leave: Library Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).

Retirement: All employees of the Library except part-time Pages, temporary employees, and certain project employees, are included in the City of Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacorna.org or by calling (253) 502-8200. All members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System are also covered by Social Security.

The Tacoma Public Library is not a department of the City of Tacoma and the Library's employees are not employees of the City. The Library is a separate entity with its own governing body. The Library's governing body is the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees.

Employees of the City of Tacoma who accept employment with the Tacoma Public Library will lose their City of Tacoma employee seniority. They will also find that their leave accruals, and some of the benefits enjoyed as employees of the City of Tacoma do not carry over when they are hired for a position with the Tacoma Public Library.

Closing Date/Time: 8/19/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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