Access and Building Services Specialist

The Position

Job Title: Access and Building Services Specialist

Location/Department: Odegaard Access and Building Services, Seattle

Rate: $22.37/hr

Hours: 12-18

Positions available: 1-2

Date posted: July 16, 2026

Closing date: July 26, 2026

Start date: September 8, 2026 (negotiable)

About this job

The Student Specialist position combines the responsibilities of a Student Assistant with additional leadership responsibilities and operational duties, all covered under one pay rate. Our Student Specialists learn and perform all Student Assistant tasks. But they also learn more advanced technical and operational procedures, have ongoing projects they work on, and take on lead worker responsibilities. Specialists are assigned pods (small groups of Student Assistants), who they peer mentor. We usually have about 7 Student Specialists, and about 20 Student Assistants.

Because this is not an entry level position, we require some library experience – either work or volunteer. Our listed desired qualifications are very important, and if you don’t meet any, you may not be considered for this position. In the first round of application review, we’ll especially be looking for applicants who have two quarters of experience as a Student Assistant within the UW library system, OR enrollment in the MLIS program.

Student Assistant Duties

Student Assistant Duties (Core Library Functions)

• Staff the front door & information desk.
• Shelve, retrieve, and shift library materials in alphanumerical order according to the Library of congress call number system.
• Perform basic circulation processing tasks such as checking items in & out.
• Inventory the collection; search for missing volumes; and retrieve library materials.
• Receive, unpack, sort, and deliver books through departmental mail.
• Assist with ID checks at entry

Student Specialist Duties (Advanced Responsibilities):

• Staff entry desk, providing excellent customer service.
• Help library users without required Husky card, determine if we can grant an exception to enter the building according to policy. Answer questions & make referrals as needed.
• Assist staff in maintaining an academic atmosphere in the library according to the libraries code of conduct.
• Oversee library operations and act as lead worker in the absence of supervisors or permanent staff. This may include leading opening and/or closing of the building, handling requests for exceptions to policies, adjusting for unexpected staffing changes, providing guidance and policy reminders to student assistants, and reporting technical & facilities issues.
• Stay up-to-date on policies and procedures via staff emails, announcements, and other communication channels.
• Assist with Inventory & more advanced library technical functions.
• Serve as a peer mentor/guide for student assistants. Participate in training new student employees, developing training materials, and offering continuing training as pod leader.
• Work on individual and collaborative projects like making book displays and social media posts; scheduling, monitoring & restocking supplies, creating & maintaining student employee documentation, and managing the Community Whiteboard.

Conditions of Employment

• Attend in-person training including: Able to attend new employee training shifts to be scheduled Sept 8th – 11th.
• Able to attend in-person all student employee meetings on both Sept 25th & Sept 29th.
• Able to work for the full academic year. Before each quarter we ask you to provide a work availability schedule, and create a weekly recurring schedule for the quarter around your availability. Work shifts during interims are optional, and scheduled by sign-up.
• Able to work on holidays that Odegaard is open, and during finals week.
• Must work a weekly schedule of at least 12 hours per week, and may work up to 18 hours per week.
• Attend meetings including Specialist team meetings every other week, and leading pod meetings three times a quarter (scheduled around your work availability schedule).
• Able to work with a team of Specialists to provide coverage for all Specialists shifts. The Specialist team is provided with a list of shifts and they are responsible for creating a weekly schedule with all shifts covered. If there is a shift that no one can cover on a weekly basis, the team may become responsible for the shift on a rotating schedule. For example, if no one can work closing every Thursday 9pm-12:15am, for the quarter, everyone is asked to sign up to work the shift for 1-2 Thursdays during the quarter. 
• In addition to providing coverage for Specialist shifts, you must be able to provide work availability for two mon-fri 7:45 opening shifts, OR two 12:15am sun-thurs closing shifts. You can choose which (or both, if you want!).
• Must be able to provide work availability for one weekend shift.

Required qualifications

• Experience working or volunteering in a library.
• Interested in developing leadership skills.
• Strong public service orientation, especially responding to complicated situations.
• Evidence of ability to work collaboratively in a team context.
• Evidence of excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of regular attendance and follows procedures for absences.
• Ability to juggle projects, set priorities, and work with minimal supervision.
• Interest in working with a diverse user population and learning about EDI issues.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with a diverse user population.
• Able to continue in the job for two or more years.
• Library coursework, especially LIS 520 or anything related to public service.
• Two quarters of experience as an UW Libraries Student Assistant.
• Currently enrolled in the UW’s MLIS program.
• Experience in leadership roles.
• Experience providing customer service, especially in a library.
• De-escalation training or experience.

How to Apply

The following supplemental materials are required. A single PDF or Microsoft Word file containing both items is preferred.

Please name your file using the following format: LastName_FirstName.docx/pdf
• Cover letter
• Resumé

Upload your cover letter and resume to the form above with your student NetID.

Application process tips and more information about working at the Libraries

Equal opportunity and accommodation information

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].