Library Assistant

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Job Title: Library Assistant

Status: Full-time

Department: Library

Reports to: Library Director

Salary: $15-$17/hr DOQ

Benefits Information

The City of Converse offers a competitive compensation and benefit package, including:

1. Medical, vision, and dental coverage options for employees and their family
2. Paid Holidays (established by City Council)
3. Vacation leave accrues from the date of hire
4. Sick leave accrues from the date of hire
5. Retirement through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) requires 7% employee contribution with the City of Converse matching 2-to-1 of the employee contribution
6. Voluntary supplemental retirement plans
7. Voluntary flexible spending account (FSA) for health and dependent care
8. Employer-sponsored long-term disability
9. Employer-sponsored life insurance for the employee, their spouse, and child(ren)
10. Voluntary life insurance for the employee, their spouse, and child(ren)
11. Voluntary short-term disability
12. Tuition reimbursement
13. Certification pay

General Description

The Library Assistant's primary function is to assist library patrons with locating and accessing print, audio/visual, and digital resources. He or she will assist at the circulation desk by greeting customers, checking in and out library materials, and processing fines/making sales using the City's financial software. The Library Assistant must be courteous, punctual, and knowledgeable of library procedures and policies. He or she needs to be able to explain and assist in library services, programs, and processing of materials. He or she will have continuous and demanding contact with customers and coordinate with the Library Director and other employees to complete a variety of tasks.

Essential Job Functions:

Following City and Department policies and procedures and the instructions of the Library Director, a Library Assistant must be able to perform the following essential job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Greet library patrons and assist at the public service desk
2. Assists with answering routine and basic reference questions in person and on the phone
3. Assists patrons requesting technical assistance in the use and location of reference and general reading materials using on-line public catalog, reference materials, databases, internet, and other print/electronic sources
4. Maintains the accuracy and security of the cash drawer, processes sales/fines, processes deposits, and reconciles the drawer
5. Checks the book drop, returns and checks out books to library users
6. Issues library cards and guest user passes to computers
7. Shelves books according to the Dewey Decimal System
8. Assists patrons with technology needs including computer help, cellphone and tablet assistance, email account set up
9. Maintains building security, assures that windows and doors are locked at the end of the business day
10. Processes Inter-Library loan requests
11. Follows City and Department policies and procedures and the instructions of his or her supervisor
12. Assists in preparing and setting up displays, exhibits and bulletin boards to maintain an informative and attractive physical setting in the library
13. Operates safely the Library's outreach van for events and outreach activities
14. Maintains adequate supplies of forms, or other required material
15. Plans and implements programs for the public as needed
16. Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints
17. Uses good judgment and makes good decisions in matters related to the job
18. Assists others; is helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrates a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others
19. Reports in a timely manner all issues, concerns and questions to the supervisor or others as appropriate in the chain of command
20. May perform various floor management duties following well-defined policies and procedures. Consults with the Library Director on major issues involving all facets of library operations
21. Discusses matters affecting his/her job or performance with the Library Director
22. Punctual, regular, on-site, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job
23. Dresses appropriately and in compliance with the City Policy
24. Demonstrates initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description
25. Safeguards City property and recognizes and reports needed repairs
26. Works safely, follows safety rules and training, and maintains a clean, safe work environment
27. Maintains confidentiality with regard to all City business
28. Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education and Basic Requirements:

1. Thirty (30) college hours completed
2. Have acceptable results on background and pre-employment physical/medical exam
3. Have and maintain an acceptable driving record and clear and valid operator's Class C operator's license
4. Satisfactory credit history
5. This position requires a good knowledge of library practices, procedures and techniques, a working knowledge of departmental policies pertaining to library services, knowledge of business English and grammar
6. Requires experience with operations of office machines, computers, search stations, word processors, automation systems and software such as MS Office

Preferred Education and Qualifications:

1. Associates Degree or Sixty (60) college hours completed
2. Familiarity with the Dewey Decimal System
3. At least six months' library experience
4. Six months' cash handling/reconciliation experience
5. Bilingual in Spanish

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of basic arithmetic, spelling and grammar
2. Skills in utilizing a personal computer and in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher
3. Ability to function effectively, professionally and courteously with frequent interruptions and under pressure
4. Ability to adapt to a changing work environment rapidly and effectively
5. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
6. Ability to maintain clerical records
7. Ability to follow City and Department procedures, policies and supervisors' directions
8. Good judgment and the ability to solve problems and assist co-workers and others with solutions to problems
9. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public
10. Ability to work evenings, weekends, and after scheduled hours as needed

Physical and Mental Requirements:

In order to successfully achieve the goals of the Library, the Library Assistant must meet the following physical and mental requirements with or without accommodation.

1. The ability to understand, learn, remember and communicate information about the job.
2. The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
3. Good visual acuity, and good hearing and listening abilities, that is, the Library Assistant must be able to see clearly and hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
4. Good motor coordination skills, that is, the Library Assistant must be able to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing and in response to visual, auditory and other stimuli.
5. Make/use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.
6. Work effectively while under pressure and deadlines in order to respond to co-workers and the public.
7. Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, stretch, push and pull, grasp, and remain upright for extended periods of time in one room. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as 25 pounds. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day/week for each are shown below. The individual amounts may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.
8. Sitting - 40%
9. Bending - 25%
10. Standing - 20%
11. Walking - 20%
12. Kneeling - 25%
13. Lifting or moving objects of 25 pounds or less - 50%
14. Pushing or pulling - 25%
15. Reaching - 25%
16. Moving within the office environment - 95%

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