Senior Library Assistant

Location: The current vacancy can be based in the nearest Tusla office with available space nationally.

Purpose of Role

The Senior Library Assistant (Grade V) will support the Tusla Librarian in the ongoing development and delivery of the Tusla Library & Information Service. Working within a fully electronic library environment, the postholder will promote effective use of the library’s resources and services by responding to general user enquiries on a day-to-day basis; supporting the management of the library’s electronic collections; delivering user education; facilitating evidence-informed practice across the Agency by assisting users with literature searches and database navigation; coordinating inter-library loan requests; and carrying out other administrative duties as required to support the service. The role requires excellent organisational and communication skills, a user-centred approach to service delivery, and the ability to work collaboratively while also demonstrating initiative in service development and continuous improvement.

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the relevant designated manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Digital library & information services

• Act as a key point of contact for library enquiries via email, MS Teams or other virtual channels.

• Provide hands-on assistance to Tusla staff with literature searching and navigating electronic library resources such as databases, e-journals and e-books.

• Deliver user induction and training sessions, either individually or in groups, introducing new users to the library service and supporting the effective use of electronic resources.

• Support the development and maintenance of LibGuides and other online user help content.

• Coordinate inter-library loan (ILL) and document supply requests, ensuring all available sources are considered and that relevant copyright and licensing requirements are followed.

Resource management & systems

• Support the administration of the Koha Library Management System and other relevant electronic resource platforms and assist with the cataloguing and classification of new resources.

• Deliver usage reporting and evaluation of electronic resources via OpenAthens, library management system reporting and journal COUNTER reports.

• Monitor access issues and liaise with vendors and ICT colleagues to resolve technical problems in a timely manner.

• Manage the OpenAthens registration and renewal process, performing administrative and troubleshooting activities as required.

• Provide administrative assistance for library procurement processes.

Outreach

• Promote the library service through internal communications and awareness campaigns (e.g. newsletters, eTOCs, awareness weeks).

Service delivery & improvement

• Contribute to user feedback processes and service improvement initiatives.

• Participate in the development and documentation of procedures, workflows and service standards.

• Contribute to identifying trends in user needs or access issues to inform service improvements.

• Participate in projects related to digital service development, resource rollout and service innovation.

Administration

• Resource allocation and management

• The efficient day-to-day administration of area of responsibility

• Collection and management of required data and metrics

• Provide practical help with training events, regional workshops etc.

• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the Line Manager

• Maintain own knowledge of relevant procedures, practices and legislation to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met.

• Use appropriate technology to ensure work completed to a high standard

• Maintain confidentiality of documentation, records etc

• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.

• Ensure that service-users are treated with dignity and respect.

Human Resources

• Pay close and accurate detail to own personal work

• Support the preparation and issuing of office documentation (correspondence, reports etc) to the highest possible standard.

• Co-operate and work in harmony with other teams and disciplines.

• Ensure line management is kept informed of all issues.

Education and Training

• To maintain continuous personal development and participate in team-based development, education, training and learning.

• To complete all mandatory training.

• Where appropriate, arrange for the induction and training for assigned staff, as required to maximise skill resources, (to include workplace experience placements where applicable).

• Where appropriate, provide supervision and assist in the development of knowledge, skills of relevant staff under your supervision.

• To participate in performance evaluation / review, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and / or Experience

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Have at least 2 years’ experience relevant to the requirements of the role.

AND

• Possess sufficient capacity to discharge the functions of the grade/post.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Tusla Leadership Competency Framework

The Tusla Leadership Competency Framework describes the behaviours that are key to Tusla colleagues being effective in the execution of their role at all levels within the Agency. The competencies and associated behavioural descriptors, capture the transversal knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics that will enable colleagues, regardless of role or rank, to be effective in their work.

The Tusla Leader Framework relevant for this role is Leading Others

Please access this Leading Others link to fully familiarise yourself with the impact of this Leading Others proficiency for Tusla.

The Competency of Professional Knowledge is specifically linked to the duties, responsibilities and criteria for this role.

Other requirements of the role

• The post holder will require access to appropriate transport as the post may involve travel.

• Have awareness of children and young people’s participatory practice.

Tenure

The current vacancy available is temporary (6 months) and whole time.

The posts are pensionable.

A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage for each individual post.

The purpose of this campaign is to fill immediate urgent vacancies and it is expected that panel placements will cease if expressions are not received within the appropriate processes.

Appointment as an employee of the Child & Family Agency is governed by the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

01/02/2026: €52,235, €53,798, €55,391, €57,021, €58,659, €60,569, €62,485 LSIs

LSIs (Long Service Increments) are represented by emboldened figures. 1st LSI is paid after 3 years on the max, the 2nd LSI after 3 years on LSI1, and the 3rd LSI after 3 years on the 2nd LSI (where applicable).

The appointee shall commence on the first point of the salary scale. Incremental credit may be given on appointment for certain types of relevant experience- more information available in Appendix 5.

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation, and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Different terms and conditions may apply if the appointee is currently a serving civil or public servant.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is: 35 hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is 30 days per annum.