Library Services Assistant I

Washington County (MN); Lake Elmo (MN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County Library is seeking experienced customer service professionals to serve as Library Services Assistants. The role focuses on welcoming customers and helping with circulation, registrations, and digital literacy needs in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates will assist with technology, answering questions in person, by phone or virtually, and contribute to a safe, inclusive library experience for all community members; the schedule includes day, evening and weekend hours, with

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of paid work experience, including six months in customer service and six months using computers.
• Experience in a customer-centric environment solving problems and aiding information needs.
• Ability to communicate in person and in writing with diverse backgrounds.
• Team oriented with capacity to adapt to changing needs and provide tech assistance.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers in person, virtually, and by phone.
• Register new customers and assist with circulation.
• Provide self-checkout, computer, printer, and copier information.
• Direct customers to librarians for research help.
• Maintain safe, secure environment and assist with daily operations.
• Process deliveries and shelving as part of routine tasks.

Skills

Diversity awareness

Library services knowledge

Filing & sorting

Computers

Cash handling

Library software

Data entry

Policy adherence

Tactful communication

Handling difficult customers

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Self-check machines

Auto-materials handling systems

Cash registers

Printers & copiers

Scanners

Job description

Washington County Library is seeking experienced customer service professionals to serve as Library Services Assistants. The individuals who fill these positions will provide exceptional customer service and contribute to making the library a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognize a need for our staff to represent the community we serve, and we are seeking candidates from all racial, cultural, and gender-diverse communities.

This position is fast-paced and requires a significant amount of physical activity and multi-tasking. Duties include greeting customers (in person, virtually and by phone), registering new customers for library cards, assisting library users with circulation services, checking in, sorting, and shelving library materials, and utilizing your digital literacy skills to help customers with their computer, digital device and printing needs.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a customer-centric environment providing customer support, solving problems for customers, and helping people find the information they need.
• Ability to interact and communicate in person and in writing in a friendly and meaningful way with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.
• Experience working with a team to meet immediate customer needs, shifting focus when needed, and innovating new ideas for improved service.
• Ability to provide technology assistance in a clear, succinct, and patient manner.

SELECTION TECHNIQUE

Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS/LOCATION

This position will average twenty (20) hours per week with a regular schedule that contains a combination of day time, evening and weekend hours. With sufficient notice, the location and schedule may vary due to department needs.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE

$19.21 Hourly

E-Verify Participation

Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

E- Verify Participation Poster

Right to work Poster

Washington County Library is seeking an experienced customer service professional to serve as a Library Services Assistant. The individual who fills this position will provide exceptional customer service and contribute to making the library a welcoming and inclusive environment. This position is fast-paced and requires a significant amount of physical activity and multi-tasking. Duties include greeting customers (in person, virtually and by phone), registering new customers for library cards, assisting library users with circulation services, checking in, sorting, and shelving library materials, and utilizing your digital literacy skills to help customers with their computer, digital device and printing needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of paid work experience that includes six months of customer service and six months using computers and software applications.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace
• Demonstrates knowledge of library services
• Demonstrates knowledge of filing and sorting systems
• Demonstrates skills in computers, cash registers, self-check machines, auto-materials handling systems, printers, copiers, and scanners
• Demonstrates skills in accurate fee collections
• Demonstrates skills in software programs used by the Library
• Demonstrates skills in accuracy and thoroughness when entering data in the computer system
• Demonstrates ability to follow Library policies and procedures
• Demonstrates ability to approach others in a tactful manner
• Demonstrates ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality

Provide Library customer service

• Explain basic Library policies, procedures and services such as mobile apps, requesting items, privacy of customer information, activities in the building, etc.
• Respond to all requests for Library services in person or by telephone at the service desk
• Register new customers and resolve problems with current customer accounts
• Provide self-check-out, computer, printer and copier services information and instruction
• Direct customers to librarians for research assistance
• Check out Library materials
• Follow procedures to ensure a safe and secure environment for both customers and staff
• Contact customers by telephone and email regarding missing materials, hold requests, inquiries and other customer needs and concerns

Contribute to efficient day-to-day Library operations

• Prepare the library building and equipment for opening and closing; check all systems and building areas to ensure safety, security and functioning of equipment
• Complete Library card registration processes for new accounts received through the mail or other sources
• Pack and unpack delivery bins
• Process and distribute daily deliveries, new materials received, interlibrary loan materials, and mail
• Assist with a variety of tasks to maintain the condition of materials in the collections
• Remove and return books that do not belong to Washington County Library
• Shelve library materials and ensure shelving order
• Maintain displays and replenish giveaway materials
• Assist librarians with program activities including but not limited to story time and summer reading programs
• Order and receive supplies
• Locate requested materials and file as appropriate
• Monitor and use automated materials handling systems
• Maintain self-check-out machines
• Produce a variety of statistical reports

Perform financial transactions

• Assess condition of returned materials and determine if damage fees apply
• Place charges for lost materials fees and collect on customers' accounts
• Resolve problems with customers' fees and other charges
• Collect printing and photocopying fees
• Reconcile daily financial transactions and weekly revenue reports

Work with volunteers

Perform other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work performed is physical in nature, and typically performed within a Library. Lifting requirement of up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, calculator, telephone, camera, cash register, photocopier, printer and scanner.

Work interruptions are frequent. There is some pressure associated with dealing with individuals who may be emotionally charged and with project or activity deadlines and details.

Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.