Librarian

Roscommon Library Services provides for the cultural, education, recreation, information and learning needs of people of all ages throughout the county and strives to provide and develop a comprehensive, quality, modern and accessible service. It acts as centre for knowledge and learning, as a resource for culture, reading and the imagination, as a resource for children and young people, as an access to information communication technologies, as an important archival repository, as a local studies research centre and as a vital community facility and public space for a range of activities. The Library Services is an important supporting strategy under the economic, cultural and social development of the county.

The service is operated through an infrastructure of fixed branch locations throughout the county and through a Mobile Library Service. The Library Service also continues to deliver and develop a substantial Archives and Local Studies reference and research facility at the County Library. The Library Service operates in a dynamic and changing environment, taking advantage of technological advancement to deliver a wide and varied range of in person and online library services.

The Competition

Roscommon County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Roscommon County Council will form a panel for the post of Librarian from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Role

The Librarian is the first entry level Professional Management role and is central to the delivery of frontline and service support of Public Library Services, involving responsibility for managing resources, staff and library services to the public. The post holder may be assigned responsibility for the day to day management of a branch library or alternatively be based in Library Headquarters with responsibility for managing specific service areas.

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with drive and commitment to delivering quality public services and continual professional development who can demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of:

• Local authority services, its key stakeholders and relationships

• Local Government structures and its democratic role and mandate

• National and international public library policy and strategy

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Education, Training and Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

• Hold a degree (level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies.

• Have satisfactory experience of library work.

In addition, it is expected that the ideal candidate will have:

• An ability to lead, manage and supervise a team effectively

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills

• Strong understanding of the role of Librarian and of the future development of library services

• An ability to work with colleagues from other Council departments and outside organisations

• Excellent IT and web skills and experience of using a wide range of technologies

• A good understanding of local government and a commitment to public service

• Relevant administrative experience

• An ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under their control to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management System

• An ability to be self-motivated to work on own initiative

• An ability to prepare and manage budgets

• Good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a non-exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Librarian:

• Supporting the Senior Library Team in the implementation of work programmes and initiatives to deliver national and local plans

• Developing, supporting and promoting library services to include but not limited to quality customer service, cultural programming and library events and initiatives

• Supervising employees in supporting roles up to position/grade of Senior Library Assistant, including assigning duties and workload

• Implementation, management and development of My Open Library service

• Managing conflicting demands within a team environment and to prescribed timelines and deadlines

• Providing ongoing motivation and support to employees in the department/section, including resolving day to day problems and identifying training and development requirements as appropriate

• Ensuring full compliance with all organisational policies and procedures including grievance and disciplinary, performance management and attendance management

• Communicating and liaising effectively with colleagues, managers and customers in relation to operational matters for their section

• Delivering and supervising daily workflows and service objectives through use of all financial management systems and IT systems

• Promoting and marketing library services across traditional and digital platforms to include but not limited to press releases, newsletters, social media campaigns and website developments

• Managing library buildings, health and safety, GDPR and child protection as required

• Compiling, preparing and presenting reports as necessary

• Administrative, bibliographic and budget management duties to include data collection and analysis, report writing and financial reconciliation

• Carrying out duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making

• Representing the Library Service on internal and external working groups

• To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required

• To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council. Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Roscommon County Council administrative area.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Post

The post is whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel will be used to fill both permanent and temporary positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation,

(b) Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c) Such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Salary

Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.

Salary Scale: €51,722 – €61,865 per annum

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

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

Driving Licence

Candidates must have a full clean Class B driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

Garda Vetting/Child Safeguarding

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding Procedures.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

Residence

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide themselves at their own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement is 30 days per annum (inclusive of days pre-allocated for the Christmas period). The annual leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

Working Hours

Normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week which will include weekend and evening working hours. Rotas may be amended periodically in response to service needs. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Superannuation

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at the time an offer of appointment is being made.

Recruitment

Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competition conducted by or on behalf of Roscommon County Council.

The Selection Process may include:

• Online aptitude testing

• Short-listing of candidates based on application details

• Preliminary interview (may include presentation)

• Competitive interview (may include presentation)

• Work sample, role play, media exercise or other appropriate tests

Roscommon County Council reserves the right to hold any part of the selection process via remote/video-call platforms. Panels may be formed following the process.