Senior Library Assistant, Other Library Services

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

West Midlands Pension Fund

Enhanced Holiday Entitlement

My Rewards Scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking a proactive Senior Library Assistant to support our Mobile Library Service across Birmingham. Based in Erdington (Gravely Hill base), you will supervise Library Assistants and Driver/Library Assistants, ensure excellent customer care and a welcoming service for diverse communities.

Working alongside the Mobile Library Manager, you will help deliver a high-quality, accessible service, train staff, manage day-to-day operations, and respond to complex customer

Qualifications

• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience engaging with children and young people.
• Strong verbal communication skills with customers and colleagues.
• Understanding supervisory responsibilities and leadership experience.
• Broad understanding of library services and their community role.
• Flexible approach to changing service requirements and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a welcoming and professional service to library customers across Birmingham; base Gravely Hill, Erdington.
• Support the mobile library service across Birmingham.
• Oversee day-to-day operations from a mobile library vehicle.
• Supervise Library Assistants and Driver/Library Assistants; assist with timesheets and staff admin.
• Train and support new staff in library procedures and service standards.
• Respond to complex customer inquiries and provide guidance as required.
• Assist with stock selection, maintenance and presentation of materials.
• Support services for all customer groups including children and adults.
• Participate in community engagement and promote library services.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming environment for customers and staff.

Skills

Diverse backgrounds

Children & young people

Verbal communication

Supervisory experience

Flexible working

Priorities management

Job description

Senior Library Assistant (Mobile Library Services)
Permanent
Grade B - £29,542 - £35,570
Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working hours 36.5 a week

Location: Erdington

Are you an experienced library professional with strong supervisory skills and a passion for delivering high-quality community services? Birmingham Libraries is seeking a motivated and customer-focused Senior Library Assistant to support the delivery of our Mobile Library Service across the city.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with diverse communities, leading colleagues, and promoting the value of libraries to people of all ages. Working alongside the Mobile Library Manager, you'll help ensure an effective, welcoming and accessible service that reaches residents throughout Birmingham

About the Role

As a Senior Library Assistant, you will assist in the day-to-day operation of the Mobile Library Service, taking responsibility for supervising services from one of the mobile library vehicles on a regular basis. You will provide guidance and support to Library Assistants and Driver/Library Assistants, contributing to the efficient running of services and ensuring excellent customer care.

In the absence of the Mobile Library Manager and Assistant Mobile Library Manager, you will assume responsibility for the operation of the service as required

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a welcoming and professional service to library customers across Birmingham, main base is Gravely Hill, Erdington.
• Support the delivery of an effective and efficient mobile library service across Birmingham
• Undertake day-to-day supervision of services from a mobile library vehicle.
• Supervise Library Assistants and Driver/Library Assistants, including assisting with timesheets and staff administration.
• Train and support new employees in library procedures and service standards.
• Respond to more complex customer enquiries and provide information and guidance as required.
• Assist with stock selection, stock maintenance and the overall presentation of library materials.
• Support services for all customer groups, including children, young people and adults
• Participate in community engagement activities and help promote library services throughout Birmingham.
• Help maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for customers, staff and visitors.

About You

• We are looking for someone who:
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience engaging with children and young people.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.
• An understanding of supervisory responsibilities and experience supporting or leading colleagues.
• A broad understanding of library services and the role they play within local communities.
• A flexible approach to work and changing service requirements
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a busy customer-facing environment.

What we offer in return…

• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund– with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement– 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme – access to over 800 brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support– independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Job Description and Person Specification