SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

Youth Services Library Assistant, Worcester Public Library, Worcester, MA

Posted September 11, 2015

The Worcester Public Library invites applicants for the position of Youth Services Library Assistant. This is a paraprofessional position, reporting to the Youth Services Branch Manager and under the overall direction of the Youth Services Coordinator. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills and have experience working with diverse populations in an urban community. The individual will assist the supervisory team in planning and organizing activities; performs circulation, clerical/administrative work; assists patrons in the use of the library services, facilities and equipment; and interprets library policies to customers.

SALARY: $14.61 – $19.47 hourly

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Assists with the daily operations of assigned branch libraries.
  • Coordinates and performs all circulation activities.
  • Collects, records, and reports appropriate statistics monthly.
  • Acts as a liaison with the Main Library Circulation Department and with C/W MARS.
  • Organizes and performs the holds process and functions.
  • Assists with readers advisory and reference services including patron assistance.
  • Provides exemplary customer service.
  • Interprets and applies general library policies and procedures to the public in a customer friendly manner.
  • Represents the library in the neighborhood branches; assists with developing and maintaining awareness of neighborhood library needs, with emphasis on neighborhood youth.
  • Assists with planning innovative library and outreach programs as needed.
  • In conjunction with supervisor and staff, assists with evaluating existing operations and new services.
  • Participates in interviews, supervises, and trains branch volunteers.
  • Participates in staff training and development opportunities.
  • Performs other duties, as assigned, consistent with the functions of the work units and level of responsibility.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

  • A strong commitment to consistent outstanding public service for all patrons.
  • Enthusiastic self-starter with professional demeanor.
  • Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to plan and prioritize work effectively to ensure completion of work.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, volunteers, vendors, and citizens using or working in the library.
  • Ability to provide information and guidance clearly, courteously and pleasantly to patrons.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, which may include community outreach.
  • Ability to learn and use library technologies.
  • Ability to be flexible and to easily handle varying work assignments.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of patron information.
  • Ability to push book carts and bins loaded with library materials.
  • Ability to stand and or sit for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability to perform bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, and twisting.
  • Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm motions for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability to reach and retrieve library materials at high and low shelf heights.
  • Ability to move or lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Knowledge of the principles and correct usage of the English language including grammar, punctuation and spelling.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience: One year of community public service work, such as library, day care center, recreation program or classroom. Specific courses that have hands-on experience may be substituted for work experience.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Schedule: May include evening and weekend assignments and regularly working at other branch libraries, Main Library, and on Mobile Services vehicle.

Travel: Ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages.
  • Supervisory experience.

To apply, please visit: www.worcesterma.gov/employment, or send resume and cover letter to: City of Worcester 455 Main Street, Room 109 Worcester, MA 01608 EOE/AA employer. Application Deadline is Friday, September 25, 2015.

The information in this summary indicates the general nature and level of work performed within this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.

The Worcester Public Library makes every effort to support ALA’s “Core Competences of Librarianship” http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareers/careers/corecomp/corecompetences/index.cfm as approved and adopted as policy by the ALA Council, January 27th 2009 and, as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

Public Library Positions