Job Details

Public Services & Circulation Supervisor

Whitworth University is seeking a service-minded and people-centered Public Services & Circulation Supervisor to join our Library team.

This role is at the heart of the library experience. You will facilitate daily operations at the circulation desk, supervise a team of student employees, and help create a welcoming, responsive environment for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

If you enjoy mentoring students, creating great service experiences, and bringing order and care to a circulation desk, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a student-centered academic environment.

For full consideration, submit an application by April 24, 2026.

Core Responsibilities

Public Services & Circulation Operations | 60%

• Coordinate the daily operations of circulation services, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery to students, faculty, staff, and community patrons.
• Supervise, train, schedule, and develop a team of approximately 1618 student employees, fostering accountability, growth, and a service-oriented culture.
• Oversee circulation workflows including check-in/out, patron account management, reserves, fines and billing processes, and material tracking.
• Maintain accuracy and functionality of the Integrated Library System (ILS), including patron records, circulation policies, and routine system maintenance in collaboration with library systems staff.
• Manage course reserves in partnership with faculty, ensuring compliance with copyright standards and timely access to materials.
• Monitor and resolve complex patron issues, exercising judgment and ensuring alignment with library policies and university standards.
• Develop, maintain, and update circulation procedures, documentation, and training materials to ensure operational consistency and continuity.
• Track and analyze service metrics (e.g., usage, fines, resource sharing activity) to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the evaluation and enhancement of circulation policies, workflows, and user experience.

Resource Sharing & Consortium Engagement | 15%

• Facilitate the interlibrary loan (ILL) lending operations using systems such as OCLC WorldShare and RapidILL.
• Serve as a primary contact for consortial borrowing through the Orbis Cascade Alliance (Summit), ensuring timely and accurate resource sharing.
• Coordinate logistics for material delivery, including courier services and shipping processes.
• Provide backup support for ILL borrowing functions as needed.
• Collaborate with consortium partners to support effective and innovative resource sharing practices.

Library Operations & Facility Support | 15%

• Support daily library operations, including opening/closing procedures and building monitoring.
• Coordinate building schedules, signage, and communication with campus partners (e.g., Security, Information Systems).
• Contribute to a welcoming and engaging library environment, including displays and public-facing spaces.

Institutional Collaboration and Other Responsibilities | 10%

• Participate in library-wide planning, assessment, and implementation of service improvements.
• Support special projects, events, and initiatives that enhance the library's role in the academic community.
• Engage in professional development and remain current with trends in library services, technology, and user experience.
• Contribute to collaborative work within the Orbis Cascade Alliance and broader professional networks.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Associate's degree required; bachelor's degree preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in customer service, student services, operations, or a related environment requiring coordination of multiple processes and attention to detail.
• Experience supervising, training, or leading employees (student or staff), including scheduling, coaching, and performance accountability.
• Experience working with systems or databases and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to apply policies with sound judgment in customer-facing situations.
• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
• Commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University.

Core Competencies

• Creates a welcoming, responsive service environment; models professionalism and accountability while developing student employees.
• Manages complex workflows with attention to detail; ensures accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement in systems and processes.
• Builds strong partnerships across campus and with consortium colleagues; communicates clearly and works effectively across teams.
• Navigates complex service and operational challenges with sound judgment, policy alignment, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Responds effectively to evolving technologies, systems, and user needs in a dynamic library environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a library, academic support environment, or higher education setting.
• Familiarity with integrated library systems (e.g., Ex Libris) or resource sharing platforms (e.g., OCLC, RapidILL).
• Experience working with or supervising student employees.

Other Details

Schedule Full-time (1.0 FTE) | 12 months | 40 hours per week Whitworth office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday Friday

Start Date: July 1, 2026 Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university's mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.