Branch Librarian

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1. CHARACTER

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. HEALTH

Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC.

Each candidate must have a good general level of education.

5. DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

It would be desirable if each candidate has:

• A full unendorsed driving licence for Category B vehicles and have access to their own vehicle

• An understanding of and dedication to customer service

• An understanding of the changing public library environment and the capability of adapting to change

• Energy and enthusiasm with a commitment to the needs of the community

• A high level of ICT and digital proficiency; including digital and social media, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, internet and email;

• Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills

• Strong judgement and problem-solving skills

• An ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, whilst also being capable of working independently on their own initiative, in an independent environment and without supervision

• An ability to manage time, workload and other resources affectively

• An interest in working with all ages and abilities in the delivery of library programming

• An understanding of community and stakeholder engagement

• Previous relevant experience

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

1. THE POST

The Branch Librarian post is a pensionable part-time position on the basis of a minimum of 20 no. hours per week over 5 no. days. Vacancies arising at this grade will be filled from the panel formed as a result of this competition.

2. DUTIES

The duties of the employment are to give to:

(a) Sligo County Council under the control of the Chief Executive or his nominee and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority,

Under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive, or of such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of a technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary nature as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties, and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.

The holder of the employment will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level, if qualified to do so.

The duties of the post shall include but are not limited to the following:

▪ Front-line library service duties at a busy public library desk;

▪ Lock-up and security of branch where needed;

▪ Adherence to the Health and Safety policy of Sligo County Council;

▪ Use of Library Management System;

▪ Responding to customer queries, including information and requests;

▪ Providing frontline library service to the public;

▪ Providing mediated access to library resources in-house and online;

▪ Providing excellent customer service e.g. responding to customer queries, including information and requests;

▪ Supporting senior staff in the delivery of library services to the public;

▪ Operating existing and future I.T. systems - word processing, spreadsheets, databases, library operating systems, e-mail and internet;

▪ Assisting the public in using self-service facilities, Online Catalogue, Self-Check Kiosks, Public PCs, WiFi access, Printing, Online Resources, My Open Library facilities, and any other Library I.T. equipment and Apps;

▪ Assisting in the promotion of the library service through an active role in the organisation and delivery of events – e.g. book clubs; storytelling, class visits, community events & exhibitions;

▪ Branch Relief Work – cover in other locations as required to maintain library branch network opening hours during periods of holiday leave, sick leave, etc.;

▪ General clerical and administrative duties relevant to the Library Service, e.g. processing and RFID tagging of new library stock, Health & Safety checklists and documentation, branch statistics returns, etc.;

▪ Participating and contributing to the organisational response to Climate Action through training and Library programming;

▪ Ensuring standards and policies are adhered to in terms of Health and Safety, Child Protection and Data Protection;

▪ Any other duties that may be assigned as part of the overall functioning of the Library Service.

3. REMUNERATION

The remuneration shall be fully inclusive and will be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive remuneration) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The current (hourly) payscale for the position is as follows:

€17.49 - €18.45 - €18.69 - €19.18 - €19.88 - €20.59 - €21.30 - €21.81 - €22.39 - €23.07 - €23.55 - €24.22 - €24.89 - €26.16 – LSI1 €27.06

Remuneration for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.

4. SUPERANNUATION

a) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration, plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).

b) Persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.

c) All persons under (a) and (b) above who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required, in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

d) Persons who are pensionable under the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme, contributions in respect of Superannuation shall be deducted at a rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3½% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

5. PROBATION

There shall be a period after such employment takes effect during which the person appointed will hold the post on probation. Such period shall be six months commencing on the first day of service but the Chief Executive may at their discretion, extend such period. Such person shall cease to hold the post at the end of the period of probation or extended period of probation, unless, during such period or extended period, the service of such person is certified as satisfactory.

6. RETIREMENT AGE

For appointees who are deemed to be “new entrants” as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, there is no compulsory retirement age.

For appointees entering the Single Public Service Scheme, compulsory retirement age will be 70.

For appointees covered under the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, compulsory retirement age will be 70.

7. RESIDENCE

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

8. LOCATION

Sligo County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any branch of Sligo Library Service now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

9. METHOD OF SELECTION

(a) Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of Sligo County Council. Interviews will be conducted in person. The Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview.

A panel will be formed of those who are most successful in the competition. The top performing candidates at final selection interview whose names are placed on the panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the position and that they are otherwise suitable for employment, may within the life of the panel, be employed as appropriate vacancies arise.

The life of the panel shall be one year from the date it is formed, unless extended by the Chief Executive.