Library Assistant

SECTION 1: THE ROLE Cork County Council Library Service is delivered through a branch and mobile network, supplemented by a growing suite of online services. The 25 branch libraries are in the main towns of County Cork and include the Library H.Q. on Carrigrohane Road, which also serves as the centre for Reference & Local Studies, bibliographic services and administration. Towns and villages not served by a branch library are served by a fleet of 4 mobile libraries, operating a fortnightly schedule across the County. Key deliverables of our library service are to provide access to reading, information, knowledge, culture and learning to the people of County Cork. Library Assistants make a valuable contribution to the provision of the library service centrally and at local branch level by delivering frontline service and by providing support to library management. Cork County Library aims to empower communities by providing access to resources that educate, inform, enlighten and enrich the lives of their citizens, by supporting and promoting literacy and a love of reading. We are committed to fulfilling our mission through a branch and mobile library network that places libraries at the centre of their communities, as well as through a growing online presence that seeks to connect with and serve people in a digital society.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL • Have an understanding of the County Council’s purpose and an understanding of the services offered by a public library service in particular, Cork County library; • Have an ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained; • Have excellent interpersonal and communications skills; • Have the ability to provide excellent customer services and be willing to develop customer service skills; • Be motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS); • Understand the changing environment and be capable of adapting to change in order to deliver quality services to our citizens; • Be organised and demonstrate good administrative experience; • Have an ability to work with information and communication technology (ICT) in the library environment;

• Have an ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision;
• Be willing to comply with all Council Policy including but not exclusive to the Safety Management System, the child protection Policy and the Dignity at Work policy. Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned at any time to any service area/role within the Cork County Council’s administrative area.

SECTION 2: DUTIES: The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Library Assistants perform a range of tasks including: 1. Providing frontline library service to the public in branches and mobiles throughout the County.; 2. Be prepared to work the hours of the library service which may include Saturdays and evenings. 3. Providing excellent customer service, e.g. Responding to customer queries,including information and requests; 4. Supporting senior staff in the delivery of library services to the public; carrying out instructions and tasks determined by management 5. Carrying out administrative duties; 6. Operating existing and future IT systems and software - word processing, spreadsheets, database, library and self service systems, e-mail, social media and Internet; 7. Assisting the public in using technology in the Library environment, e.g. public internet, self-service facilities and other; 8. Taking an active role in the organisation, promotion and delivery of library events– e.g. book clubs; storytelling, class visits, community events & exhibitions; 9. Branch relief work – cover in other locations as required to maintain library branch network opening hours during periods of holiday leave, sick leave, etc.; 10. General clerical and administrative duties relevant to the Library Service, e.g. processing and tagging of new library stock, cash management, Health & Safety checklist, branch statistics, etc. 11. Any other duties that may be determined by Library Line management or Senior Management. SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / 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, Experience etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (i) Have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, or (ii) Have passed an examination of at least equivalent standard, or (iii) Have had at least two year’s previous service in an office of Clerical Officer, Clerk/Typist (Clerical Duties), Clerk/Typist (Typing and Clerical Duties) or Clerk/Typist under a local authority or health board in the state. or (iv) Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA: 1. Knowledge and understanding of the functions of a local authority. 2. Understanding of the role of Library Assistant. 3. Relevant administrative experience and clerical skills. 4. Strong customer service ethos. 5. Experience of working as part of a team. 6. Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems. 4. Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

5. Transport Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality. It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example please include the following: a) the nature of the task, problem or objective; b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it) c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form. Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the skills required for this post so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills. A candidate must possess the following competencies:- Team Work

• Shows respect for colleagues and co workers • Develops and maintains good working relationships with others, sharing information and knowledge, as appropriate • Offers own ideas and perspectives • Understands own role in the team, making every effort to play his/her part

Information Management/Processing • Approaches and delivers all work in a thorough and organised manner. • Follows procedures and protocols, understanding their value and the rationale behind them • Keeps high quality records that are easy for others to understand • Draws appropriate conclusions from information • Suggests new ways of doing things better

Delivery of Results • Takes responsibility for work and sees it through to the appropriate next level • Completes work in a timely manner • Adapts quickly to new ways of doing things • Checks all work thoroughly to ensure it is completed to a high standard and learns from mistakes • Writes with correct grammar and spelling and draws reasonable conclusions from written instructions • Identifies and appreciates the urgency and importance of different tasks • Demonstrates initiative and flexibility in ensuring work is delivered • Is self-reliant and uses judgement on when to ask manager or colleague for guidance

Customer Service & Communication Skills • Actively listens to others and tries to understand their perspective/requirements/needs • Understands the steps or processes that customers must go through and can clearly explain these • Is respectful, courteous and professional, remaining composed, even in challenging circumstances • Can be firm when necessary and communicate with confidence and authority • Communicates clearly and fluently when speaking and in writing SECTION 5: TENURE The position is permanent and fulltime. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill this position.

SECTION 6: SALARY The Salary scale for the post is: €27,896 - €44,860 per annum €27,896 - €29,611 - €30,035 - €30,891 - €32,143 - €33,397 - €34,651 - €35,561 - €36,594- €37,789 - €38,638 - €39,825 - €41,019 - €43,265 (Maximum), €44,860 (1stLSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum)

Applicants should note that entry point to the salary scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government, & Heritage. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale at the minimum point.

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

SECTION 7: ASSIGNMENT / LOCATION OF POST The base for working purposes shall be the location as determined by Cork County Council. Cork 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 compensation. Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work. SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS The working hours at present provide for a five-day, thirty-five hour working week. Saturday work is the norm and evening work is also a possibility. Branch hours may vary. Normal library arrangements for Saturday working will apply in respect of such activities. A flexible working hours’ system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy. Cork County Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time. All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE The current annual leave entitlement is 27 days per annum. Cork County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997(as amended).

SECTION 10: GARDA VETTING The successful candidate will be subject to Garda Vetting prior to any appointment being confirmed.