Senior Library Assistant

SECTION 1: THE ROLE Cork County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which vacancies for Permanent Part time Senior Library Assistant (Grade 4) Branch Library Castletownbere may be filled. The library service is delivered through a branch and mobile network, supplemented by a growing suite of digital services. The 25 branch libraries are in the main towns throughout Co. Cork and include the Library Headquarters on Carrigrohane Road, which also serves as the centre for Reference and Local Studies, bibliographic services, and administration. Towns and villages not served by a branch library are served by a fleet of 4 mobile libraries. 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, and by collecting and preserving resources relating to the cultural heritage of Co. Cork. Cork County Library Service fulfils its mission through a branch and mobile library network that places libraries at the centre of communities, as well as through a growing online presence that seeks to connect with and serve people in a digital society.

The role of the Senior Library Assistant is to provide support to branch managers or in the case of part-time branches and mobile libraries, oversee the branch/mobile unit. The Senior Library Assistant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the library service, assisting with the delivery of work programmes that will meet the goals, targets and standards set out in national and local development plans. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, creative, and flexible, with drive and commitment to delivering quality customer services to the public. Senior Library Assistants are a vital link in the team which promotes the library as a focal point for cultural activities, for community development, for learning and as a digital hub. 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. • Operation of the Castletownbere branch library - general Branch Library work and service development • Supporting and delivering national programmes and core services for all members of the community • Promotion of the branch library service though local and national initiatives; liaising with community and education groups • Liaison with the West Cork Divisional Librarian in all matters related to the running of the branch library • Completing all necessary reports and statistics related to Castletownbere library including maintenance of the Library Management System • Delivering excellent service to the public • Contributing to publicity and promotional activities including online • Organising, running, and promoting local library events e.g., class visits, story times, and other events for adults and families • Ensuring high standards of health and safety and child protection • Management of the building and service in the absence of a more senior officer • Stock Management • Any other duties that may be assigned 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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 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 a good general level of education, (ii) have at least two years satisfactory experience in a post of Library Assistant or in an analogous post. 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 office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles and shall 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. 6. Required Skillset In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Senior Library Assistant listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies; • Knowledge and understanding of the functions of a local authority and the library service including awareness of current issues and strategic direction of library services. • An ability to work on own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision; • An ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks; • Strong customer service ethos and sense of commitment to delivering a quality public service; • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; • Excellent IT skills, including an understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of library services, social media services and promotion; 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. SECTION 5: TENURE The position is permanent and part-time. The post is pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill vacancies for Senior Library Assistant (Grade 4) Castletownbere which may arise during the lifetime of the panel. SECTION 6: REMUNERATION The wage scale for the post effective 1st March 2025 rate is; Grade 4 - Senior Library Assistant (Based on 25 hours per week) Point Hourly Rate Weekly Rate 1 €19.32 €444.37 2 €20.47 €470.91 3 €22.11 €508.58 4 €23.19 €533.32 5 €24.13 €554.96 6 €25.04 €575.89 7 €26.27 €604.15 8 €27.16 €624.59 9 €28.06 €645.39 LSI 1 €28.91 €665.02 LSI 2 €29.79 €685.17 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 vacancy to be filled will be based at the Castletownbere Library. 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. 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 normal hours of work are 25 hours per week, Wednesday to Friday (9.30 am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.30pm) and half day on Saturday (9.30am – 1.30pm). 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 8% of total hours worked. 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.