Senior Library Assistant

The Competition

Roscommon County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Roscommon County Council will form a panel for the post of Senior Library Assistant from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

The Role

The Senior Library Assistant is a key support position within the Council’s Library Service and is assigned to a Branch Library or to support a functional area as required. The Senior Library Assistant will work as part of a team, supervising team members and supporting managers and colleagues to achieve goals and objectives and to deliver quality services to internal and external customers. The Senior Library Assistant will work under the direction and management of the Librarian or Staff Officer or analogous grade or other employee designated by the County Librarian or Director of Services as appropriate.

The Senior Library Assistant role requires excellent administrative, interpersonal, communication and other particular skills and expertise in the delivery of Library services and may also be required to deputise for a Librarian or Staff Officer from time to time. The Senior Library Assistant will be expected to use initiative and work to a high standard and will be required to operate the Council’s existing and future IT systems as part of their work. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out their duties in a manner that enhances public trust and confidence and ensures impartial decision making.

Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Roscommon County Council administrative area.

Qualifications

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training Experience etc

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

(i) have a good level of education

(ii) have at least two years satisfactory experience of library work

In addition, it is expected the ideal candidate will:

• Have good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have the ability to provide excellent customer services.

• Understand the changing library environment and be capable of adapting to change.

• Have an ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained whilst also being capable of working on their own initiative in an independent environment and without supervision if required.

• Be motivated to achieve maximum performance by supporting the current Integrated Performance Management System (IPM).

• Demonstrate good administrative experience.

• Have an ability to work with information and communication technologies and online resources in a library environment.

• Have an awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

• Have a full clean Class B driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(i) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(ii) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(iii) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(iv) 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

(v) 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

(vi) A non EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of and resident in an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Key Duties

The following is a non exhaustive list of key duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to a Senior Library Assistant:

• General branch library work and service development

• Overseeing and delivering excellent customer service

• Community engagement

• Use of Library Management Systems, Digital Services and self service technologies to deliver effective and efficient library services

• Organising, running and promoting local library events including use of social media

• Supporting and delivering national programmes and services for all members of the community in Reading and Literacy, Learning and Information and Community and Culture

• Delivering user education in all areas of information provision including ICT and eResources

• Supporting and promoting My Open Library and self service technologies

• Staff supervision

• Stock selection, maintenance and collection development

• Administrative duties to include data collection and analysis, report writing and cash reconciliation

• Building management and health and safety

• Any other duties that may be assigned by the line manager

The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instruction from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the council.

Notwithstanding the requirements of the post, successful applicants may be assigned to any service area or role within the Local Authority at an analogous level by the Chief Executive at any time.

Particulars

The post is whole time and pensionable. A panel will be formed from which permanent and temporary vacancies may be filled and will be for an initial period of one year which may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation

(b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period

(c) such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory

Salary

€36,113 - €55,460 per annum

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

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies other than their inclusive salary payable to and received by them by virtue of their post or in respect of services which they are 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. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy.

Garda Vetting and Child Protection

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding procedures.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

Residence

Roscommon 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 other compensation.

The person appointed will be required to provide himself or herself at his or her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

Annual Leave

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum inclusive of days pre allocated for the Christmas period. The annual leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Working Hours

The successful candidate’s normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week which will include weekend and evening working hours. Rotas may be amended periodically in response to service needs. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Superannuation

Candidates will be informed of their superannuation position at the time an offer of appointment is being made.

Recruitment

The selection process may include the following:

• Short listing of candidates on the basis of the information contained in their application

• Any tests or exercises that are deemed appropriate

• Preliminary interview

• Final interview

Please note that Roscommon County Council reserves the right to hold any part of the selection process by way of remote or video call platform or other appropriate methodology.

Panels may be formed on the basis of such a selection process. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the post at the closing date for the competition and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may be appointed to this post.