Community Services Officer (Libraries)

North Somerset Council; England; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK is seeking a library team member to join their busy library. This role involves leading various activities for children, providing customer service, and using IT skills to assist the public. If you are enthusiastic about libraries and community service, this position offers a supportive environment to grow your skills and make an impact.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Opportunities for professional development

Inclusive Staff groups

Additional annual leave purchase

Dedicated Wellbeing Team

Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Passionate about libraries and excellent customer service.
• Eager to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
• Ready to handle physical demands of the role.

Responsibilities

• Lead library activities and support volunteers.
• Provide information to the public in a busy environment.
• Assist customers with online services and troubleshoot tech issues.

Skills

Customer care skills

IT and digital skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work with children

Tools

Library Management System

Microsoft applications

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

This is an exciting fixed term opportunity for an enthusiastic and hard-working individual to join our busy library team. You will be confident and well‑organised, with excellent customer care skills and a calm and confident approach to unexpected or challenging situations. You will enjoy working with the whole community, providing information to the public in a busy environment.

Yatton Library and Children’s Centre has a busy calendar of events including rhyme times, story times, school visits, children’s activity clubs (including lego, colouring and craft clubs) and digital and family history support. The postholder will lead some of these activities with support from volunteers.

Experience of library work is not essential, but you should share our passion about the role of libraries in promoting reading, literacy and culture. We welcome applicants eager to learn and grow in a supportive environment. IT and digital skills are essential as the postholder will be using a Library Management System and Microsoft applications alongside helping customers use online services and troubleshoot tech issues. Experience delivering customer service and facilitating activities for children are also essential. You will be ready to deal with the physical demands of the job, including stock handling and floor walking.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or to be able to provide alternative, suitable method of transport is an essential condition for this role.

This is a fixed term post for 12 months. Please note that you will start at the lower end of the salary scale above unless transferring from an internal role at the same level.

Work Style

The postholder will be based at Yatton Library and Children’s Centre but may on occasion be required to work at any other North Somerset library. The 16 hours are worked on a two‑week cycle, as follows:

Week 1: Monday 9.30‑1.00, Tuesday 9.30‑5.00, Thursday 9.00‑1.00.

Week 2: Monday 9.30‑1.00, Tuesday 9.30‑5.00, Thursday 9.00‑1.00, Saturday 9.00‑1.00.

You will also be required to attend a monthly team meeting at 8.30am on the first Tuesday of the month and occasional training sessions on other days by arrangement (time due will be given).

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about libraries and delivering excellent customer service. If this is you, and you want to make a difference – especially during times of change – we’d love to hear from you. Please review the job family document to understand the required knowledge, skills and experience. In your supporting statement, clearly demonstrate how you meet these criteria.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How To Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Julie Gorton, Community Services Supervisor, at [e-mail] or 01275 884 599 (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: 13 January 2026

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.