Senior Library Assistant

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and a proven track record in the following:

• Have knowledge of the structure and functions of the local government library service, of current issues, future trends and strategic direction of library services and an understanding of the role of the Senior Library Assistant in this context

• Have a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and be willing to take on a challenge

• Be highly motivated and have excellent interpersonal and communications skills

• Demonstrate the ability to supervise and motivate a team effectively and maintain productive working relationships within the organisation and with customers

• Have effective budget management skills

• Have experience of planning/prioritising to meet targets and delegating work appropriately

• Have experience of problem solving/decision making

• Demonstrate openness and a willingness to adopt new ways of working and involve others in change

Desirable Requirements

Kilkenny County Council can for any position they advertise, include Desirable Requirements. Desirable Requirements are those that would be beneficial to optimising job performance. Desirable Requirements can be used if necessary to reduce numbers called for interview.

It is desirable that each candidate shall:

• Possess a high level of ICT proficiency, digital and social media

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

Applicants should satisfy themselves they are eligible under the required qualifications. Kilkenny County Council may not be in a position to investigate the eligibility of all candidates in advance of the interview/examination, and hence persons who are ineligible but nevertheless enter, may put themselves to unnecessary expense.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Kilkenny County Council Library Service operates in a dynamic and changing environment across its network of 8 branch libraries, one mobile library service, Library Administrative Headquarters including Local Studies.

The library service is charged with delivering on the aims and objectives of the sector’s 5-year strategy, "The Library is the Place" (2023–2027) and the local library development plan The Kilkenny Library Development Plan 2025–2029 "Creating Vibrant and Sustainable Communities”.

The Senior Library Assistant will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet the wide-ranging information, education, research and cultural needs of the citizens of Kilkenny.

The role involves supporting managers and colleagues and working as part of a team in meeting work goals and objectives and delivering quality services to internal and external customers.

The role requires that employees function in a flexible manner and work effectively together as a team to deliver required outcomes or outputs.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The main duties and responsibilities of the librarian will be consistent with the provision of a modern 21st century public library service that is responsive to the changing requirements of customers of all ages and abilities.

The duties will include but are not limited to:

• Dealing proactively and professionally with customers across a range of platforms – electronic, phone and in person

• Management of information systems and ICT systems

• Supervision of staff attendance and performance management

• Communicate and liaise effectively with colleagues, managers and customers in relation to operational matters for their work area

• Networking and community engagement

• Contributing to publicity and promotional activities

• General branch management and development

• Contributing to events programming – workshops/story times/lectures

• Cash and budget management

• Ensuring good governance in his/her area of responsibility in respect of health and safety, child protection, data protection, business continuity and other relevant matters, in accordance with Council policies

• Maintenance and review of statistical and financial records

• Support the library management team/line manager in the implementation of work programmes and initiatives in delivering national and local library strategies and as required by the Council’s objectives and operational plans

• Any other duties that may be assigned as part of the overall functioning of the Library Department

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.

PARTICULARS OF OFFICE

TYPE OF POST

To form a panel from which Permanent, Fixed Term, Specific Purpose and where applicable Acting-Up contract posts may be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

SALARY

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to Kilkenny County Council any fees or other monies (other than inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform.

In accordance with EL02/2011 persons who are not serving Local Authority employees must be placed on the minimum of the scale. Where a person being appointed is a serving Local Authority employee normal starting pay rules will apply.

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

The current salary scale for the position is €36,113 minimum of the scale to €55,460 maximum of the scale inclusive of LSI’s.

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

SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012

New members joining the public sector on or after 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. It applies to all first-time entrants to the Public Service as well as former public servants returning to the public sector after a break of more than 26 weeks. Your contributions will be made up of 3% of your gross pensionable remuneration and 3.5% of your net pensionable remuneration (your gross pensionable remuneration less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension).

Your normal retirement age under this scheme is the same age at which you can claim the Contributory State Pension. The minimum age for receipt of this pension is Age 66. There is a compulsory retirement age of 70 years.

Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st January 2013

Persons who became pensionable employees after 6th April 1995 and prior to 1st January 2013, without a break in employment, will join the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Contributions are payable at the rate of 1.5% of your basic salary, 3.5% of basic salary less twice the value of the Contributory State Pension and a further 1.5% is payable for spouse and children’s contributions.

‘Non-New Entrants’ have a minimum retirement age of 60 and a compulsory retirement age of 70.

‘New Entrants’ have a minimum retirement age of 65 with no compulsory retirement age.

Persons who commenced in Public Service Employment before 6th April 1995

Their minimum retirement age is 60 and they have a compulsory retirement age of 70. Contributions are 5% of basic salary and 1.5% of basic salary towards Widow’s & Orphan’s or Spouse & Children’s Scheme.

PENSION ABATEMENT

If the appointee was previously employed in the Civil Service or in the Public Service please note that the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (Section 52) includes a provision which extends abatement of pension for all Civil and Public Servants who are re-employed where a Public Service Pension is in payment. This provision to apply abatement across the wider public service came into effect on 1 November 2012.

This may have pension implications for any person appointed to this position that is currently in receipt of a Civil or Public Service pension or has a preserved Civil or Public Service pension which will come into payment during his/her employment in this position.

Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be obliged to complete a declaration in relation to previous Public Service pensionable employment.

PENSION ACCRUAL

A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one pre-existing public service pension scheme shall apply.

PROBATION

The following provisions shall apply:

• There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation

• Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his/her discretion extend such period

• Such persons shall cease to hold such employment at end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE / EXAMINATION

For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful applicant, before he/she is appointed, to respond to a medical questionnaire which is submitted to a qualified medical practitioner nominated by Kilkenny County Council.

HOURS OF WORK

The post is wholetime. The person appointed will be required to work a 35-hour week which equates to a 7-hour day.

Five days over a six-day period at any time from Monday to Saturday, including evenings every week.

The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The person appointed may be required to work outside of normal hours on occasion.

Hours may be subject to change as required. The holder of the office may be based in any of the branch libraries or in Library HQ and will be expected to travel to and work in other library service points as required.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for this position is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

TRAVEL

The holder of the post must hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement or disqualification 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.

It is Kilkenny County Council policy that all staff using their private cars for work purposes, regardless of the frequency should:

• Indemnify Kilkenny County Council on their personal insurance policy

• Note business class on their personal policy

• Ensure that the vehicle is fit to be on the public road

When applicable for specific roles, travelling and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates.

If during your employment your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

LOCATION

The holder of the office may be based in any of the branch libraries or in Library HQ and will be expected to travel to and work in other library service points as required.

SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE

The holder of the post shall comply with Kilkenny County Council’s Safety Management System and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.

TRAINING

It is a condition of employment that successful applicants will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The post-holder will be expected to abide and adhere to the policies & procedures applicable to Kilkenny County Council.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may include:

• Submission of completed applications and required supporting documents

• Eligibility and shortlisting of applicants on the basis of information submitted

• A competency-based interview which may be conducted face to face or remotely

• Panel formation

STAGE – SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Applicants should complete the Application Form online via the advert link or through the www.kilkennycoco.ie

link.

Applicants are required to submit their applications electronically, along with the required documentation. Applicants should retain a copy of their Application Form for their own personal reference.

Once fully completed applications supported by the prescribed evidentiary proof of meeting minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are submitted, this information cannot be amended.

When completing the employment history section on the Application Form please ensure all periods of employment and unemployment are recorded and accounted for.

The submission of photo identification is an essential requirement and can include one of the following forms of ID only: Passport, Drivers Licence, Public Service Card or Safe Pass.

STAGE – ELIGIBILITY & SHORTLISTING OF APPLICATIONS

Kilkenny County Council will conduct a preliminary verification of eligibility of applicants. This will comprise both the minimum requirements as outlined and the mandatory documentation specified for the competition. The decision of Kilkenny County Council as to the applicant meeting the eligibility criteria is final.

Kilkenny County Council may decide, due to the number of applicants, to carry out a shortlisting procedure. This may involve a desktop analysis of applications and/or a shortlisting interview.

Shortlisting may be based on eligibility criteria, qualifications, relevant experience, competencies and other relevant information submitted on the Application Form.

Kilkenny County Council reserves its right to shortlist applicants in the manner it deems most appropriate.