Pools FAQs - King County Library System

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EMPLOYMENT POOLS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the purpose of an employment pool? Why does the King County Library System use
this method?
Our employment pools were developed to pre-qualify and rate individuals that are interested in working for
KCLS as a Library Technical Assistant (LTA) and a Librarian. Before the implementation of the employment
pools, individuals were required to apply for every opening in which they were interested. Implementing the
pool has allowed candidates who complete the pool process to be considered for numerous future
opportunities.
I’m interested only in Children’s or Teen specialties. Why do I need to apply to Adult Services
pool?
All Librarian pool applicants must be interviewed and assessed for Adult Services qualifications. This score
becomes a component of your Children’s and/or Teen rating. You may elect, however, to be considered
for only Children’s and/or Teen openings.
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What are the steps a candidate has to go through to be accepted into the pool?
The major components of the pool acceptance process are a phone interview, in-person interview, and skill
assessments. After each step you will be notified of the outcome. If you pass all the steps and are accepted
into the pool(s), you will be notified of your overall rating based on your performance in the process.
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What does my rating number mean?
The rating scale is “1 – 4” with “4” being the highest. Your rating will be based on the responses you give
during the interviews and skill assessment activities in which you participate. The rating number is not
based on information in your written resume or previous work experience with KCLS. Specifics on how
individual interviewers rate your responses are not shared. This information is treated like all other testing
information and is confidential.
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Do I qualify for additional points?
Additional points may be added to a final score after an internal candidate has been accepted into the pool.
In accordance with Article 29.2.4 of the 1857 labor agreement, employees currently working in the Library
Technical Assistant (LTA) or Librarian classification who are considered for an opening within their class
will be given additional points based on the number of years worked in that class. For more information
please refer to the Union contact available on the intranet in the section regarding employment pools. To
receive additional ranking points, eligible employees must send an email request to HR after their applicable
anniversary date in the LTA or Librarian classification. Points will be applied, as indicated below:
3 yrs = .2,
5 yrs = .3,
8 yrs = .4,
12 yrs = .5
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How can I improve my score?
You are eligible to reassess one year from the date of your last congrats letter. If you would like to start the
process, please submit a new application to the employment pool online AND email [email protected]
to indicate your intent to reassess. You will repeat the in-person interview and skill assessments step of the
process.
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How will I know of an opening?
Librarian and LTA vacant positions are announced to internal KCLS employees only via email to all staff.
Postings for vacant positions remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days. To be considered, eligible
960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027 425-462-9600 www.kcls.org
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applicants who have been accepted into the pool must reply to the email posting indicating their interest in
that position before the closing date.
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How are candidates chosen for regular Library Technical Assistant or Librarian openings?
After the closing date of an open position, candidates with the highest ratings in the Pools, if expressed
interest, will be invited to interview with the hiring manager.
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Can I change my application or preferences?
Once you submit an application for a particular position, you cannot go back and make changes to the
application. Please submit your changes by emailing [email protected].
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I’m interested in all Librarian specialties. Do I need to apply to all Librarian pools?
Yes. You need to apply to all pools you are interested in. Screening process and evaluation differ from one
pool to another depending on a specialty.
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How many individuals have been accepted into the Employment Pools?
This number changes frequently as people enter and leave the employment pool. Please be aware that not
all of the individuals in the pool are your “competition” for regular employment, as specific work locations
and/or hours of interest vary from person to person. Additionally, at this time openings are limited to internal
applicants only.
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Do I need to reapply to the employment pool every year?
You do not need to submit a new application unless you would like to reassess in hopes of increasing your
rating.
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Will the time I spend applying to the pool be on paid KCLS time if I am a current regular KCLS
employee?
No. We do, however, allow any time you may spend in interviews to be on paid time if the time you are
interviewing is during your regular working hours.
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Do I have to have a minimum of one year of work experience at KCLS to be eligible for the pool
process or does any work experience count?
We do not require pool applicants to have a minimum of one year of work experience at KCLS before
applying to the pool. We do, however, require a minimum of one year of general work experience.
Last Updated: February 26, 2014
960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027 425-462-9600 www.kcls.org

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