Job Number: 2025-00109
The King County Library System (KCLS) is seeking a collaborative and skilled Language 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 system’s resources and co-create linguistically and culturally relevant communications, programs, and services.
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:
The Language 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.
About King County Library System:
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.
