Job Details

Temporary Research Services Reference Assistant

Position Number: 6569166
Location: Seattle, WA
Position Type: Libraries

Temporary Research Services Reference Assistant

Seattle University

Temporary Research Services Reference Assistant

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Months Per Year: 10

Employment Status: Part-Time

Work Model: On-site

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description

The Research Services Reference Assistant is responsible for helping library users navigate the information landscape through 1:1 individual patron interaction, primarily through staffing an in-person service desk during business hours. Additional duties include providing reference services through other modalities (such as chat reference), leading orientation sessions or workshops, the creation of asynchronous materials, and other special projects related to research assistance.

This position is scoped for a graduate student on the professional track for a career in library and information science. This position will work under the general supervision of the Director, Research Services, with the guidance of librarians and professional staff on both core work and special projects. This is an in person position with an estimated 15-18 hours a week through June 30, 2026.

The position is in person, primarily located at Seattle University's First Hill campus. Schedules are structured around regular research help service hours (weekdays between 10 and 6) but can be adjusted to accommodate class schedules. Evening and weekend hours may be possible.

The optimal candidate would be a graduate student in their second or third year in a Master's in Library and Information Science program with coursework or experience in reference and research support, or a graduate student in their first year of such a program while concurrently enrolled in coursework in reference or research support.

Duties

Support research help through multiple modalities, including staffing the in-person Research and Scholarly Services Desk, and other channels (chat reference, email, and events).
Conduct library orientation sessions.
Support the Library's established programs and services, including conducting introductory research support workshops
Collaborate with library faculty and library staff on other projects as available: potential projects include research guides, reviewing instruction materials, writing posts highlighting departmental work, programming, and other library related activities
Participate in scheduled meetings and engage in professional development.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree
Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment
Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
Active listening and strong interpersonal skills
Ability to learn new technologies quickly, including Library technologies such as databases, research guide and tutorial design, reference transaction tracking software, and video editing tools.
A growth mindset and willingness and ability to receive and incorporate coaching and feedback
Interest and enthusiasm for working in academic libraries

Desired qualifications

Current enrollment in an ALA accredited (or equivalent) Masters in Library and Information Sciences program (as of September 2025) through Summer 2026.
Experience in providing customer service support in either in person or online environments.
Completion of, or active enrollment in, classwork relating to reference, instruction, and/or information seeking behavior.
Experience in one-on-one tutoring, instruction, or classroom teaching, or a strong desire to learn.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

Hourly Salary Range: $24.00 per hour.

Work hours: Up to 15 to 18 hours per week.

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

To apply, please visit: https://seattleu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/8/home/requisition/2928?c=seattleu