Library Associate I (Substitute) - Outreach

City of Westminster, CO; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Westminster is seeking a Library Associate I – Outreach Substitute to support Library2Go and outreach services. You will drive the Library2Go van, assist patrons with reference and technology, and help with programming, displays, and collection maintenance as needed.

This role emphasizes customer service, empathy, and equity in public library service. Ideal candidates have experience in customer service, are comfortable with driving, and value teamwork and learning in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Graduation from High School or GED.
• At least two (2) years of customer service experience.
• Previous outreach or information services experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide staff coverage for the Library2Go van and outreach shifts.
• Drive the Library2Go van as required and assist patrons with signups and reference needs.
• Assist patrons with technology and library services (computers, tablets, etc.).
• Support programming, collection maintenance, and on-site emergencies as needed.
• Maintain professional conduct and punctual attendance.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Public interaction

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Library2Go van operation

Job description

The City of Westminster is seeking a friendly, adaptable, and technologically savvy Library Associate I. The Library Associate I – Outreach Substitute position is responsible for a variety of paraprofessional library and outreach work including driving the Library2Go van, circulation services in remote locations, reading recommendations, general reference regarding library services, and technology assistance. In addition to covering shifts with the Library2Go van, including lobby and marketing stops, Library Associate Outreach Substitutes may assist with programming, school visits, displays, or tasks related to collection maintenance, depending on interests and experience. The ideal candidate for this role is familiar with library services, outgoing, and values empathy and equity in a public library setting.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. Starting wages are negotiable and dependent on the qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, which enhances the quality of life for all Westminster citizens by providing diverse leisure, recreational and informational services and resources; and acquiring, developing and maintaining first-class parks, facilities, open space and recreational trails. This position works towards the accomplishment of the Departments mission: Together we create exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community with a commitment to nature, wellness and literacy.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific

• Demonstrate knowledge of Westminster Public Library reference and information services, books, authors, databases, and online resources
• Provide outstanding customer service to patrons and coworkers
• Work enthusiastically and effectively with diverse people
• Work effectively in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks

1. Provide staff coverage and excellent customer service for the Library2Go van and its myriad outreach shifts
   • Drive the Library2Go van as required
   • Make recommendations to patrons searching for titles to read; assist patrons with library card signups and item checkout, with topic searches, with general reference inquiries, with navigating library services, and more
   • Maintain a neat and orderly work environment while working in the vehicle or in nonlibrary locations
   • Communicate necessary information professionally between service points or to supervisors by email and/or phone
2. Assist patrons with both library and personal technology, including library website, Library2Go materials such as button makers, public computers or tablets, and more
3. Assist, as needed, with Library2Go programming, collection maintenance tasks, and on-site emergencies
4. Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion.

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications

Required:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Graduation from High School or GED
• At least two (2) years of customer service experience
• Previous experience providing outreach or information services in a customer-facing setting
• Driver’s license

Preferred:

• Graduation from an accredited, four (4)-year college
• Previous library and/outreach work experience
• Spanish language skills

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements

Work performed is physical in nature, and involves sufficient physical strength and stamina to:

• Move folding tables, heavy carts of books, and other materials on and off the Library2Go van
• Occasionally sit and stand in one area to perform customer service; constantly standing and walking throughout a multi-level public library facility
• Frequent crouching, squatting, bending, and twisting to shelve books from floor level to above head; frequent climbing and balancing to climb stairs and use stepstools and ladders
• Constant light grasp to prepare returned and new material/books for checkout and patron use, and constant reaching at waist level to return material to proper shelves; frequent firm grasp, pinching, and fine motor skills to prepare material/books, and reaching overhead to stock books
• Constant near acuity to read computer screens, and book and shelving labels; frequent hearing to communicate with public, staff, and vendors
• Frequent lifting of up to 40 pounds from ground to waist to move returned books to check-in area; frequent lifting of up to 20 pounds from ground to overhead to return books to stacks and stock supplies and material; occasional carrying of up to 40 pounds 200 feet to move books and material; occasional pushing/pulling of cart of up to 150 pounds throughout multi-level public use library

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed indoors and outdoors both at various locations around the Westminster community. This position requires working independently, focusing on detail-oriented work for long periods, and ease within a sometimes fast-paced environment.

Required Materials and Equipment

Frequent use of Library2Go van, book carts, button maker and craft machines, telephones, personal computers, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, bar code readers, book security system equipment, microfiche/microfilm reader-printer, and various electronic and audiovisual equipment including DVD/Blu-Ray players, LCD projection, and image scanners.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, driver license record, and education verification
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States