Baker County Library District Seeks On-Call Public Service Clerk, Spanish Preferred

The Baker County Library District is recruiting an on-call public service clerk to staff its busy public desks at the Baker City and Haines branches, a hire the district says will bolster services for patrons across the county. Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred as the library seeks to improve language access for residents who rely on the library for internet access, health information, and essential services.

The position was posted January 23, 2026, with a formal application deadline of February 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm, though the opening is listed as "open until filled." The clerk will report to the Manager of Circulation and Operations and provide direct customer service to patrons of all ages, assist with computers and electronic resources, check in returned materials, shelve books, and process and repair items. Shifts are on-call and vary week to week, typically totaling 3-8 hours per week with potential Saturday, Sunday, and early evening shifts.

Qualifications include a minimum of an Associate's degree or a high school diploma/GED plus two years of experience in library services or a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that meets those standards. Candidates must hold a valid Oregon driver license and reliable, insured transportation. The district lists Spanish fluency as highly preferred, signaling a priority on serving Spanish-speaking residents and closing language gaps in access to library and public services.

Compensation for the role ranges from $14.94 to $16.48 per hour depending on qualifications and experience, and the position includes sick-leave benefits. The Library District serves about 18,000 people across six branches - Baker City, Haines, Halfway, Huntington, Richland, and Sumpter - plus a bookmobile. The district provides public Wi-Fi, computers, and digital resources that many residents use for telehealth visits, job applications, schoolwork, and accessing public benefits.

Public health and equity implications are central to this hire. Library staff often act as front-line navigators for community members who need reliable internet for medical appointments, translations for health materials, or assistance locating local services. A bilingual clerk can reduce barriers for non-English speakers, improve timely access to care-related information, and help connect vulnerable residents to social supports. For rural counties like Baker County, where transportation and broadband gaps persist, library access plays an outsized role in health and social well-being.

Interested applicants can find the job description and application on the Baker County Library District website or contact the library at 541-523-6419 or jobs@bakerlib.org. Filling this post will not only add staff capacity to the circulation desks but also strengthen the library’s ability to serve diverse communities across the county, keeping hotspots of information and services open to those who need them most.