Library Service Specialist - Houston History Research Center

Library Service Specialist - Houston History Research Center

Salary

$1,653.60 - $1,824.80 Biweekly

Location

500 McKinney St.

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

39567

Department

Houston Public Library

Division

HPL - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Opening Date

09/22/2026

Closing Date

9/29/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications Accepted From: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Division: Customer Experience

Reporting Location: Houston History Research Center, 550 McKinney

Section: History Research Centers

Workdays & Hours: Monday - Sunday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm (varies)

• Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Houston Public Library seeks a creative, innovative, and highly customer service-oriented Library Service Specialist to join the Houston History Research Center (HHRC) team. This position will work with imaging equipment to duplicate and/or electronically store the historic collections, create metadata descriptions, and provide direct customer assistance at the reference desk.

The Houston History Research Center (HHRC), located in the historic Julia Ideson Building, includes archival, Texas and local history, and special collections components with the primary objectives of locating, preserving, and making available to researchers the documentary evidence of Houstons history. HHRCs varied collections include 40,000 Texas and local history books, 20,000 adult and juvenile special collections and rare books, 4.5 million photographs, 150,000 architectural drawings, 450 oral histories, various manuscripts, and 8,000 maps. The archival collections focus on non-current records of local groups or individuals who played roles in Houstons development.

Essential job duties and responsibilities include:

• Serve as a programming and outreach support for HHRC, including ensuring all program details are completed in a timely manner and maintaining appropriate records and statistics.
• Operate archival equipment to capture large numbers of rare and fragile, primarily unbound materials unbound materials.
• Monitor the HHRC supply inventory and make adjustments as necessary.
• Create metadata descriptions for born digital and scanned items.
• Troubleshoot basic problems with hardware, software, or image quality.
• Provide reference services in-person and virtually.
• May assist with programming and outreach for HHRC and promote.
• Perform other duties as assigned and essential to efficient library operation.

This position does require some evening and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) work.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter and Resume when applying. For more information about the Houston History Research Center, please visit http://houstonlibrary.org/hrc.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelors degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

No experience is required.

Related professional/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-to-year basis.

Associate's degree and two (2) years of professional/paraprofessional experience in library, information services, or education may be substituted for the education requirement.

Four (4) years professional/paraprofessional experience in library, information services, or education may be substituted for the education requirement.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS - No

None

PREFERENCES

Experience working in a Special Collections or Archives environment. Experience with scanning and imaging equipment is highly preferred. Basic experience editing images with Photoshop, using Epson large format scanners, and using OneDrive is preferred. Experience working in customer service role. Detail oriented; experience with both Windows and Mac-based computers and software.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED - No

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidates qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 13

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the

Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.com or call 832-393-1472.

If you need special services or accommodations, 832-393-1472 (TTY 7-1-1).

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process. All new and rehires must pass a preemployment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individuals sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a current Houston Public Library employee?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate your level of education and verifiable related work experience.

• High School Diploma/GED AND at least (4) four years of verifiable experience in library, information services, or education.
• Associate Degree AND at least (2) two years of verifiable experience in library, information services, or education.
• Bachelors degree or higher
• None of the above

03

Which of the following programs/skills are you proficient? (check all that apply)

• Photo or Document Scanning
• Professional Photography/Cameras
• Video Editing
• Microsoft Office Suite
• None of the above

04

Describe your experience with archives, digitization, imaging, and/or metadata creation for digitized materials. (If you do not have any experience, please put N/A

05

Do you have experience working in customer service with the public?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing to work a rotating shift, which will consist of varied hours within Monday - Sunday, 8:00am - 8:00 pm?

• Yes
• No

07

Describe your experience working in customer service with the public? (If you do not have any experience, please put N/A

08

Please indicate the languages which you are fluent (reading, writing, and speaking). Check all that apply.

• English
• Spanish
• Chinese
• Vietnamese
• Arabic
• French
• Other languages
• I am not multilingual

09

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

10

How many years of experience do you have in working with library materials, providing reference services, and/or helping customers find resources in a library?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 or more years
• No experience

Required Question

Employer City of Houston

Address 901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website https://www.houstontx.gov/