Library Caretaker - Attendant

THE COMPETITION

Laois County Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel for the position of Library Caretaker Attendant from which permanent, specific purpose, fixed term and temporary vacancies may be filled.

Eligibility criteria is set out under Qualifications below.

THE ROLE

Library Caretaker/Attendant is one of the key frontline roles in the library service, working as a member of the library team in a library service point to deliver a safe, friendly, efficient library service to the public. Key responsibilities include securing and opening the library building, ensuring the library can be enjoyed both by customers and staff, and ensuring that facilities and outside areas are well presented. The duties of the Library Caretaker/Attendant shall be consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that includes a planned My Open Library facility, that is responsive to the changing requirements of customers of all ages and abilities.

Library services are provided over a six-day week and shift work is required in line with public opening hours, including a minimum of two late evenings, every Saturday and weekends. The duties of a library caretaker/attendant are varied and can involve assignment to different libraries as well as relief duties across the library network.   

As the Library Service is a county-wide service, staff may be required to provide cover at, and may be reassigned to, any service point within County Laois as required by the County Librarian.

The duties of the post of Library Caretaker/Attendant include but are not limited to the following:

·       Work as a member of the library team to deliver a safe, efficient and friendly service by assisting the public to access the full range of library services.

·       Maintain library areas (internally and externally ) in good and secure order, to include but not limited to securing and opening the building, handling of alarm and security systems, alarm call-out duties, My Open Library support and the routine operation of heating, lighting, ventilation and CCTV systems as required.

·       Assist with event and activity programming by maintaining activity areas, e.g. movement of seating, desking, furniture, shelving, exhibition boards, equipment. Setting up and dismantling exhibitions and materials for lectures, classes, workshops etc., including setting up catering and refreshments; and post event re-organising and clean up.

·       Patrol the library premises, control queues and be present in public areas of the building.

·       Support the team in dealing with instances of anti-social behaviour, unaccompanied children, group visits and general library user management in line with Laois County Council’s Health and Safety Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy.

·       Relief Driving duties (in Library Van) when required.

·       Support the team to prevent the misuse of library equipment and ensure that library facilities are well presented, not interfered with or damaged, and that library property is not removed without authorisation.

·       Support building maintenance by carrying out basic repairs, check the building, equipment and make safe any damaged fixtures or fittings, as may be required from time to time. Report maintenance issues to supervising library manager.

·       Perform cleaning duties inside and outside the library building, to include tidying library grounds, recycling & refuse co-ordination, library toilet checklists as required.

·       Maintain standards of cleanliness and tidiness in all library and events spaces; keep entrances and exits clear.

·       Operate within the terms of Laois County Council’s Safety Statement and assist with monthly Health & Safety inspections of libraries. Assist with administrative work associated with Health and Safety.

·       Assist with maintaining the Fire Register (in conjunction with the supervising library manager), including fire drills and other duties assigned to the role. Report health and safety hazards, assist with clean ups and respond to incidents.

·       Assist with deliveries including National Book Delivery services. Undertake messenger work of a local nature and make collections and deliveries between library headquarters, library branches and/or other designated offices as required.

·       Respond willingly to reasonable requests for assistance to carry out duties outside normal working hours – (to help with events or to allow contractors to enter building outside opening hours)

·       Support staff with day-to-day delivery of the planned My Open Library and self-service technologies.

·       Handling of Alarm & Security systems and Alarm Call-Out duties.

·       Attend training courses as required

·       Any other duties that may be assigned by the nominated library manager or County Librarian.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

1.       CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.       HEALTH:

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render an efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

3.       EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC.

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

Education

·       The candidate should have a standard of education that would enable him/her to efficiently perform their duties and must be capable of making satisfactory reports (including written reports) on matters pertaining to the duties of the post.

Experience

Each candidate must satisfy the local authority that he/she has adequate education, training and experience of a type which would render him/her suitable to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post of Library Caretaker/Attendant, Laois Library Services.

The Ideal Candidate Shall:

The ideal candidate:

·       Possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to provide an excellent standard of customer service in all circumstances;

·       Possess an ability to work effectively within a team, to take instruction and to seek to deliver positive outcomes as required by the varying situations;

·       Engage with a wide range of people in a positive manner;

·       Engage positively with young people and teenagers;

·       Possess excellent literacy and numeracy skills;

·       Possess excellent I.T. skills; and be comfortable with new technologies;

·       Demonstrate proven problem solving and trouble shooting skills;

·       Have the ability to work effectively under pressure and achieve objectives in a timely manner;

·       Have an interest in the library service and playing a role in good service delivery;

·       Be motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

·       Have an awareness of Health & Safety legislation and regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

Experience of working in a local authority or public sector environment will be considered an advantage.

Competencies for the Post:

Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Knowledge and Understanding of the Role of Local Government

·        Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of the role and responsibilities of Library Caretaker/Attendant.

·        Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of the services provided by Laois County Council and the Library Service.

·        Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of the role of the Elected members of the Council.

·        Demonstrates an awareness of their own and others safety within the workplace including Health & Safety.

Customer Focus

·        Demonstrates experience and ability to deal with members of the public.

·        Delivers an excellent standard of customer service in all circumstances.

·        Relates well to others and maintains positive working relationships.

·        Represent the organisation positively and professionally when dealing with members of the public and other stakeholders.

Interpersonal and Organisational Skills

·        Demonstrates ability to work on own initiative and within a dynamic and changing work environment.

·        Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team.

·        Demonstrates problem solving skills.

·        Demonstrates positive attitude, energy and enthusiasm for the role.

·        Manages time and workload effectively.

·        Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·        Demonstrates willingness to undergo training as required in relation to new systems, procedures etc.

THE PRINCIPAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

1.        PARTICULARS:

The position is whole time, permanent and pensionable.

The Council reserves the right to, at any time, re-assign an employee to any department now or in the future

2.         PROBATION:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of this local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)         There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation;

(b)        Such period shall be ten months but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period;

(c)         Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;

(d)        There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period. Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period on one week’s notice.

3.         REMUNERATION:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay 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 services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The current salary scale applicable to the post is €811.10 - €839.39 per week. (as per circular EL 04/2026).

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

In accordance with EL02/2011 starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale.

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

4.         WORKING HOURS

39 Hours per week based on the opening hours of the library which will include Saturday and evenings. Flexibility regarding working hours, starting and finishing times will be a requirement. Relief duties may be necessary in other locations

5.         DUTIES:

The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the employees from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputizing for other officers of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned to them in relation to the area of any other local authority.

6.         SELECTION PROCESS:

Candidates will initially be assessed to ensure that they meet the minimum specified eligibility criteria for the position.

a.   Shortlisting

Laois County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications. The shortlisting process may take the form of either a desktop shortlisting process based on the information contained in the application form or shortlisting interview.

The information you supply in the application form will play a central part of the shortlisting process. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications and experience on the application form.

It is expected that given the qualifications and experience of prospective applicants the short-listing requirements may be significantly higher than the minimum qualifications and experience requirements set out for the post.

b. Competitive Interview

Selection of candidates for appointment shall be by means of a competitive interview, conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. The Council is committed to a process of selection on merit, based on fair and open competition. The criteria for judging suitability and ranking will be related directly to the qualifications, attributes and skills required to undertake the duties and responsibilities to the standard required in the post.

c. Panels

Following completion of interviews, a panel may formed as described on page 2, the duration of which is at the discretion of the Council. While a panel remains in force, offers of temporary or permanent employment may be made subject to confirmation of qualifications and satisfying clauses in relation to health, character or other requirements of the particular post. Persons to whom an offer of employment is made must take up duty within 1 month from the date of offer, or such extended period as the Council may agree, otherwise, the Council may decide not to appoint them.

 

d. References/Documentary Evidence

Each candidate may be required to submit as references the names and addresses of two responsible persons to whom is well known to them but not related. Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to the local authority in support of their application.

 

7.     RETIREMENT AGE:

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”) as provided by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 commenced with effect from 1st January 2013. The act introduces new pension and retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st January 2013. Pension age set initially at 66 years; this will rise in step with statutory changes in the SPC age to 67 years in 2021 and 68 years in 2028. With effect from the 26/12/2018, the compulsory retirement age of 70 applies [Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018]. Otherwise the retirement age of the relevant Scheme applies.

It should be noted that candidates who are in receipt of a Public Service Pension and are re-hired in any

paid capacity by a Public Service Body may be liable to have their pension abated.

Prior to appointment successful candidates will be obliged to complete a Declaration in relation to previous Public Pensionable Employment.

8.         RESIDENCE:

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

8. SUPERANNUATION:

The superannuation contributions of relevant scheme will apply.

9.     ANNUAL LEAVE:

The annual leave entitlement for the position ofLibrary Caretaker/Attendant is 25 days per annum

10. SICK LEAVE:

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

11. Right to Information and Review:

The Council is committed to offering feedback and information to candidates. Any candidate who wishes to do so may request to have a decision or the process reviewed. Any such request must be submitted in writing, stating the grounds of the request and this must be submitted to hr@laoiscoco.ie within five working days of the date of notification of a relevant decision.

12. Confidentiality:

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence.

13. Other:

Appointments to the Council are subject to satisfactory checks with regard to references, qualifications, medical examinations, and Garda Vetting, as applicable.