Library Staff Officer

THE ROLE

Library Staff Officers are in supervisory positions, reporting to Executive Librarians and the City Librarian. It is a public facing role with public desk/engagement duties.

Location

Library Staff Officers may be based in Cork City Library or in any of the other library locations across the network.

The Library Staff Officer post is a supervisory position and is assigned functional responsibility and deputising role for the administration and management of a branch library, department or team within the Library Service. All duties must be carried out in a professional, impartial and accountable manner that supports fair decision-making and upholds public service values.

DUTIES

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

• Assist the relevant Executive Librarian in the day-to-day running of the Library Service including public facing services and events.

• Assist the Executive Librarian with staff supervision, training and development, leading and managing a team.

• Assist the Executive Librarian with CORE (salary/wages) sign off duties.

• Assist the Executive Librarian with the enforcement of Health and Safety best practice.

• Assist the Executive Librarian in Bibliographic Services in the cataloguing and processing of the new stock, and in stock distribution and management.

• Assist in supporting Cork City Libraries’ Digital Strategy – digitisation, website, online platforms, statistics/data collection and social media.

• Deputise for the Executive Librarian in their absence.

• Carry out such other related duties as will be assigned by the City Librarian from time to time.

The above specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass) in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, AND

(b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics)

OR

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in equivalent examination,

OR

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

Skills

• Experience in management and supervision of staff.

• An ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

• Possess excellent IT skills.

• Demonstrate strong abilities in the following competency areas -

o Delivering Results,

o Performance through People,

o Specialist Library Knowledge, Expertise and Self-development,

o Management and Change

THE PERSON

It is also desirable that each candidate demonstrates through their application form and at interview (should they be called) the following:

• A minimum of two years’ relevant experience of working in a library.

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government and library services;

• Knowledge of current local government and library issues and key policies guiding the local government and library sectors;

• An ability to supervise a team effectively to achieve a common goal, ensuring strong governance and ethics standards are adhered to and maintained;

• The ability to motivate, empower and encourage staff under his/her supervision to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Performance Management and Development System (PMDS);

• Understanding of the changing and operational environment in the Council and be capable of leading change to deliver quality services to our citizens;

• Effective financial and resource management skills;

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems;

• Relevant administrative experience;

• Experience of supervising staff;

• Experience of working as part of a team;

• Experience of preparing reports and correspondence;

• Strong resource management skills.

Salary

The salary scale for the post is:

€52,761 - €54,337 - €55,946 - €57,589 - €59,244 - €61,173 (LSI1) - €63,109 (LSI2)

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.

Hours of Duty

• The opening hours of libraries are tailored to the public’s needs. Library Staff Officers will be expected to work hours in keeping with the staff rota at the relevant service point.

• The standard working fortnight is currently 70 hours. Depending on the location, this could be a 5 day week or a 4 day/6 day week.

• Saturdays and late evening working hours are included as part of a normal roster.

• The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary.