Job Number 2025-00222The King County Library System (KCLS), located in Washington State, is seeking a skilled and engaging Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator with a passion for public service, creating strategies and supporting positive engagement between stakeholders.
This position reports to the Director of Library Outreach, Programs and Services, and works collaboratively with volunteers, staff, management teams and community stakeholders.
Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position.About the Opportunity:The Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator builds and maintains support systems that allow volunteers and community engagement organizations to foster meaningful connections with KCLS. This position guides strategy and develops policies, procedures, and tools that support positive engagement between volunteers, Friends of the Library groups, student participants, and library staff. The incumbent provides leadership and coordination for systemwide volunteer initiatives, overseeing staff and programs that advance community involvement, enhance library services, and reflect KCLS’s value of public service.
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.Essential DutiesThe 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.- Coordinates with directors, managers, coordinators, other KCLS staff, outside vendors and agencies as needed to develop strategies for design and implementation of assigned projects, services, and programs. Oversees efforts to completion and provides maintenance and ongoing support for completed projects.
- Ensures that assigned projects, services and programs are developed and delivered in compliance with KCLS policies and standards, and meet all required guidelines, regulations and budgetary constraints.
- Manages relationships with vendors and coordinates delivery and quality control of project contract deliverables.
- Analyzes and resolves policy and procedural problems. Provides consultation and advises staff, the public and other parties concerned on policies, rules, and regulations. Investigates complaints and recommends or institutes corrective actions.
- Leads System-wide project committees in area of focus. Coordinates implementation of committee recommendations, new services, and initiatives.
- Leads volunteer and community engagement liaisons, including, but not limited to meetings, communications, and annual volunteer recognition activities.
- Acts as Subject Matter Expert for the library use of volunteers and volunteer management systems and well as community engagement organizations and the tools that support them.
- Coordinates with staff volunteer liaisons to help recruit volunteers. Ensures tools are available for tracking volunteer time. Ensures KCLS general volunteer training is accurate.
- Gives presentations to internal and external groups of all sizes regarding library programs and services.
- Oversees the reporting, recording, and analysis of data in area of focus to ensure consistency, accuracy, completeness, and relevance to system goals and objectives. Tracks, analyzes, and provides feedback on trends to ensure accurate information and reporting of trends. Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision-making purposes.
- Supervises assigned staff including selection, training and development, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, managing and approving payroll time entries and leave requests, and other human resources issues.
- Contributes to the overall management of Library, Outreach, Programs and Services as a member of the Library, Outreach, Program, and Services Supervisor Team.
- Serves as Supervisor in charge of Library, Outreach, Programs and Services on select shifts as assigned.
Secondary Duties- Serves on KCLS committees as assigned required.
- Provides backup to other coordinator positions in Library, Outreach, Programs and Services as needed
- Initiates, participates, and collaborates in the library profession beyond KCLS. Maintains professional expertise to provide relevant public service.
- Resolves staff and patron incidents, problems, concerns and conflicts in area of focus. Ensures Code of Conduct is followed or redirects to appropriate source.
- 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 CompetenciesManages 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.
- 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.
Leadership CompetenciesFacilitates the development of other’s knowledge, abilities, and skills to fulfill job and role responsibilities more effectively. Provides timely feedback, guidance, and encouragement to help others achieve better performance and goals. Builds confidence of others.
Tactfully provides direct and actionable feedback in a timely manner. Is open and direct but not intimidating. Deals head-on with people and problems even in the most difficult situations.
Job-Specific CompetenciesConveys ideas and information in a way that is clear, engaging, and suitable to the audience. Main point of their message is apparent. Listens more than they speak and responds appropriately. Seeks influence.
Holds self, direct reports, and others accountable for achieving intended outcomes. Follows up and monitors progress to ensure that things stay on track. Models organizational values and norms.
Makes decisions and solves problems. Can deal adeptly with varied levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk. Takes responsibility and accepts ownership for decisions regardless of outcome. Responds promptly and appropriately in crisis situations.
Education and ExperienceThe 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 from an accredited school in public administration, social sciences, or related field.
- Five or more years of supervisory experience. Two years of which may be offset by a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience working with volunteers and/or community engagement groups.
- Three years of experience managing multiple projects at once.
- 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 working with volunteers and/or community engagement groups.
- Works effectively with diverse populations.
- Creates and implements strategies that align with organizational goals.
- Effectively tracks and analyzes data in a meaningful and measurable manner for presentations and reports relative to system goals and objectives.
- Leverages interpersonal skills and technical knowledge to bring people and ideas together to perform effectively.
- Develops effective working relationships to gain trust and establish credibility at all organizational levels.
- Effective verbal, written and active listening communication skills.
- Proactively responds to organizational needs.
- Adept at making independent decisions using critical thinking.
- Maintains in-depth knowledge of system policies and procedures for decision-making, communication, and support.
- Maintains flexibility and success in an environment with expected and unexpected change.
Professional Licenses and Certifications- Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Work Environment Work is performed in a typical office environment. Work schedule may include early morning, evening, and/or weekend meetings or commitments. Frequent travel within the service area is required.
Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee will:
- Constantly sit throughout work shift and frequently to occasionally will stand and walk.
- Frequently reach out at chest level and occasionally reach up or down.
- Constantly use hands in conjunction with frequent finger use for keyboarding and 10 key.
- Rotate neck up to occasionally.
- Change tasks depending upon the shift.
- Require extensive close work including use of a computer monitor.
- Up to occasionally operate foot controls.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 10 pounds, seldom lift up to 35 pounds.
- Seldom push/pull carts and wheeled equipment with up to 20 pounds of force.
