Public Services Assistant I
This position works a 15-hour per week schedule which may include morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend hours including Sundays. Successful candidate may be required to adapt to future schedule and location changes depending on library needs.
Job Summary
Perform basic public service and library support tasks at one or more community libraries or library on wheels to contribute to their effective operation.
Essential Functions
Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission ofspecific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
- Staffs the library circulation desk, answers phones, checks library materials in and out, registers customers for library cards, and orders various library materials.
- Assists customers with self-checkout machines and answers questions in the hold areas.
- Returns library materials to proper locations and supports circulation duties.
- Provides assistance to library customers with basic reference questions.
- Responds to technical services calls and assists with problems with the fax machines, public copiers, pay-for-print stations, vending machines, and printers.
- Submits and monitors technical reports for library technology service issues.
- Performs other public service and general clerical support tasks as assigned.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
Duties are considered non-essential and include the following:
- Prepares correspondences and reports.
- Trains new staff as needed.
- Attends meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
- Assists with special projects as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision
The position may report to the building Circulation Supervisor or to the Supervising PSA. Although direct supervision is not a normal part of this position's work, incumbents may be called on to provide task direction to Page staff and library volunteers in absence of a supervisor.
Core Library Competencies
Employees are expected to demonstrate the following qualities at all times:
- Adaptability: Adjusts nimbly to obstacles or changing conditions to arrive at the desired goal.
- Communication: Expresses self clearly, effectively, and compellingly in written, verbal, and nonverbal messages.
- Customer Service: Builds and maintains responsive, effective relationships with internal and external customers.
- Interpersonal: Accurately perceives others and the impact of one's own behavior to balance relationship and goal needs appropriately and positively in interactions.
- Professionalism: Aligns behavior with the library's mission, values, and strategic focus in serving a diverse stakeholder community.
- Valuing Diversity: Manages relationships with all people inclusively and equitably; conveys respect by valuing and encouraging the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to expand one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills of others' cultures, beliefs, identities, languages, interpersonal styles, and behaviors.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:
- Knowledge of established practices and procedures for an integrated library system (ILS).
- Knowledge of Library District's policies and procedures.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- Strong organization and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
- Ability to handle and resolve disruptive behavior effectively.
- Ability to speak, write, and understand English clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
- Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, e-mail, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.
Education and Experience
- High School diploma or G.E.D. required. Two years of college level education preferred.
- These skills and abilities typically are acquired through completion of secondary school or equivalent together with several months in a public service environment.
- Experience in public services work in a library or an organization where public service is provided in intellectual or educational services preferred.
Physical and Environmental Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to: see, talk and hear; sit, stand and walk; twist and bend; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb and/or balance. An incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds. Incumbents may be required to push or pull carts of books and other materials and frequently stand for extended periods of time. Specific vision abilities include close vision.
The following supplemental questions will be asked during the application process:
- Provide one or two detailed examples of your experience providing direct customer service in a library or public service environment.
- Provide an example of your experience using an integrated library computer system.
- Provide one example providing technical assistance to customers such as helping with a fax machine, copier or any other equipment.
- Provide one example of a time you had to use good organizational skills and had to pay attention to a lot of details.
- Describe one example using each of the following computer software: 1. MS Word, 2. Email and 3. Internet Navigation.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
This and all Sno-Isle Libraries' positions are subject to transfer.