Library & Archives Paraprofessional 3
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
Job Summary
Central Washington University is recruiting a Library & Archives Paraprofessional 3 to join our CWU Libraries team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $42,972 - $57,252 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.
Who we are:
We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.
Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.
Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.
Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.
Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A
What we offer:
Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.
The Role:
The Library & Archives Paraprofessional 3 (Metadata Specialist) directly supports the mission of the university by enabling access to library resources that foster student success, engagement, and belonging. This position performs complex original and copy cataloging of materials in various formats, maintains accuracy of the library's catalog, ensures access to electronic resources and recommends changes and improvements to all related process and procedures.
This position directly affects the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.
Job Duties
Cataloging
- Perform complex copy cataloging of library materials in a variety of formats including monographs, serials, theses, and electronic resources according to local and national standards.
- Perform original descriptive and subject cataloging and classification for CWU theses. Perform or outsource other original cataloging as needed.
- Batch load vendor-supplied catalog records.
- Analyze and resolve complex bibliographic problems. Ensure a high quality of bibliographic and item record accuracy. Perform a variety of catalog maintenance tasks. Maintain the accuracy of holdings information in OCLC.
- Receive and process physical materials to shelf readiness.
- Maintain knowledge of current practices in cataloging and technical services.
Electronic Resource Management
- Activate newly purchased electronic resources including ebooks, journals, streaming video, and digital collections in the integrated library system.
- Monitor title changes and maintain accurate holdings for electronic resources.
- Ensure a high quality of bibliographic metadata for electronic resources.
- Troubleshoot e-resource access issues.
Other Duties
- Serve on internal library and consortium committees
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three years of library experience.
- Knowledge of cataloging principles and standards including AACR2, RDA, MARC and Library of Congress classification
- Experience providing excellent customer service.
- Demonstrated excellent judgement and ability to organize, prioritize, and manage projects and policies.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as cooperate in a team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to maintain consistent accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully learn new technologies and software platforms.
- Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
- OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in an academic library or other higher education setting.
- Experience performing copy cataloging.
- Familiarity with library systems including Alma and OCLC Connexion.
- Experience managing library electronic resources.
- Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
- Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.
Competencies
- Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
- Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
- Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
- Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
- Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.
Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary: This position is based on the range 40 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $42,972 and maximum annual salary of $57,252. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / PSE Bargaining Unit 4
Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Occasional travel may be required. A percentage of the shift will require some amount of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, walking, carrying or moving, and other movements. On occasion, it will be necessary to lift up to 35 lbs., sometimes repetitively, and reach shelves overhead and below knees.
Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.
An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.
How To Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:
- A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
- Resume including work history, education, training; and
- Contact information for three professional references.
Screening Begins: February 2, 2026
**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.