Catalog Technical Assistant

Plaquemines Parish (LA); Belle Chasse (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Plaquemines Parish Government is seeking a library technician to catalog, classify, and process materials across formats. You will manage bibliographic records, holdings, and authority data in the ILS, prioritizing new releases and high-demand titles.

Responsibilities include ensuring accurate cataloging, timely processing, and proper item assignment to locations, with reporting to the Assistant Library Director.

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus two years in cataloging/technical services or equivalent.
• Experience with bibliographic records and library technologies.
• Ability to apply changing cataloging standards.

Responsibilities

• Catalog and process library materials in multiple formats.
• Maintain bibliographic, holdings, and authority records in the ILS.
• Ensure materials are discoverable and properly routed.

Skills

Cataloging

Technical Services

Acquisitions

Bibliographic records

ILS (Integrated Library System)

Education

Associate degree in Library Science

Tools

MARC21

RDA

Dewey Decimal

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Atriuum

EZcat

OCLC Connexion

MARC import/export

AGENT

LoanShark

Interlibrary Loan

cloudLibrary

Job description

Working independently with minimal supervision, performs specialized technical and library work involving the cataloging, classification, processing, bibliographic control, and maintenance of library materials in multiple formats. Creates, edits, imports, exports, and maintains bibliographic, holdings, item, and authority records using current cataloging standards and local procedures. Ensures library materials are accurately represented in the Integrated Library System (ILS), readily discoverable by patrons, assigned to appropriate locations, and cataloged and processed in a timely manner, with priority given to new releases, bestsellers, high-demand titles, and other time-sensitive materials. Reports to the Assistant Library Director.

• Requires an Associate’s degree and two years of progressively responsible library experience involving cataloging, Technical Services, acquisitions, bibliographic records, integrated library systems, or related library operations; or any equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must possess the ability to perform independent detailed technical work accurately, exercise sound independent judgment, research and resolve bibliographic discrepancies, and learn and apply changing cataloging standards and library technologies.
• Must be honest and exhibit good moral/ethical behavior.

• Satisfactory physical condition, including back, vision, and hearing, sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Must possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with MARC21 and RDA and with original and/or copy cataloging.
• Experience with Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and authority control.
• Experience with an integrated library system or bibliographic utility; experience with Book Systems Atriuum, EZcat, or OCLC Connexion is desirable.
• Experience with MARC import/export functions, AGENT, LoanShark, Interlibrary Loan/resource sharing, cloudLibrary, or comparable systems.
• Experience with acquisitions, digital collections, inventory, collection maintenance, weeding, database cleanup, or other public-library Technical Services functions.
• College coursework, a certificate, or a degree in Library and Information Science, Information Management, English, Education, Business, Computer Information Systems, or a related field may be beneficial but is not mandatory.
• Completion of the State Library of Louisiana’s Cataloging course, the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification program, or comparable formal training or certification in cataloging and Technical Services is desirable.

Applications for examinations shall be open to all persons irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability.

The Civil Service Department does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission of access to or treatment or employment in its programs or activities. Reasonable accommodations will be made for anyone requesting such accommodations.

Unless otherwise stated on the front of this announcement, there shall be no maximum age limit for admission to examinations. The minimum age limit shall be eighteen (18) years of age for any class of work in the Parish service requiring hard physical labor, operation of or proximity to hazardous machinery, exposure to hazardous chemicals or participation in any other processes or procedures which are prohibited or limited by the Louisiana State Child Labor Law.

The starting salary for this position is stated on the front side of this Job Announcement. All appointments in the classified service shall be made at the minimum rate or such other starting rate specifically authorized by the Commission. In cases where the applicant possesses exceptional qualifications directly related to the classification to which the applicant will be appointed, the Appointing Authority may recommend to the Director that the applicant be assigned up to step 15 for that class, not in excess of the midpoint for that range. Approval is required by the Director before the appointment becomes effective.

Plaquemines Parish Government pays all classified employees bi-weekly. Employees’ must have their pay directly deposited to their bank account(s). Employees’ payroll check stubs are mailed to the employee’s current address on file with the Civil Service Department.

The working test/probationary period for all positions shall be six months, unless otherwise stated on the front of this announcement. However, any six-month working test/probationary period may be extended for a maximum of six additional months in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

Any applicant may be disqualified if the applicant's past employment record is unsatisfactory as determined by the Civil Service Department.

Veteran Preference in examinations will be granted only to those persons who provide proof of military service during covered periods and who are found to be eligible.

If selected, as a condition of employment, applicants shall be required to satisfactorily participate in a post-offer medical examination which shall include drug testing.