Senior Library Assistant

DESCRIPTION OF THE POST

Senior Library Assistant is a supervisory position within the administrative structure of Wexford County Council.

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. As part of our commitment to providing a quality service, the Senior Library Assistant will assist in delivering a wide range of services within the Library Service.

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.

There are 5 Branch Libraries in County Wexford in Wexford Town, New Ross, Bunclody, Enniscorthy and Gorey. Library Headquarters is based in Wexford Town. A mobile library service operates countywide. The Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises/service 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.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character and references shall be sought.

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.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ETC.:

Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post:-

(i) have a good general level of education,

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

Desirable Requirements:

It is desirable that each candidate shall:

(a) have good communication skills;

(b) have an awareness of community based services;

(c) have a strong commitment to customer service; and

(d) have a working knowledge of current information technology applications.

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 in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

THE PERSON

The person appointed will be able to clearly demonstrate the key competencies as set out in this Booklet. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following:

A clear understanding of Wexford County Council’s purpose and an understanding of modern library services.

An understanding of the role of a Senior Library Assistant.

A motivation to achieve maximum performance by supporting the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

The ability to supervise team members.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong customer service ethos.

An ability to work effectively within a team to achieve a common goal, ensuring standards are adhered to and maintained.

An awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

An understanding of the changing library environment and be capable of adapting to change.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties; these shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be required in relation to the area of any other local authority.

The duties of the Senior Library Assistant shall be consistent with the provision of a modern public library service that is responsive to the changing requirements of customers of all ages and abilities and will include the following:

Overseeing and delivering excellent service to the public.

Liaising with community and education groups.

Co-ordinating event programme delivery.

Supporting and delivering national programmes and services for all members of the Community.

Contributing to event programmes e.g. workshops on library IT, local studies, class visits, story times, workshops, lectures and other events for adults and families.

Supporting good governance of library buildings and vehicles, health and safety, child protection, data protection and business continuity in accordance with Council policies.

Administration of buildings/facility/vehicle & equipment maintenance programmes.

Supervision of relevant staff attendance and performance management and development.

Maintenance and review of rotas, statistical and financial records.

Maintenance of house-keeping functions within the computerised Library System.

Promotion and marketing library services and programmes through publicity, outreach and presentations to key audiences and stakeholders.

Maintenance of stock on site.

Support and promote My Open Library and self-service technologies.

Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Tenure:

The post is whole-time, permanent and pensionable.

Persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

All persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013, superannuation contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of Wexford County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:-

(a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold such employment on probation;

(b) such period shall be 6 months, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

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

Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post 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 employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

SALARY: €35,613 - €54,911 (2nd LSI) (as at 1st August 2025)

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

Hours of Duty:

The successful candidate must be available to work weekend and evening work as part of normal roster. The working hours shall be within the times of 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. subject to review from time to time. Rotas may be amended periodically in response to service needs.

Health:

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before being appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. Defects reported as a result of this examination must be remedied before appointment. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Retirement / Superannuation:

Single Public Service Pension Scheme:

Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks.

All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are, in general, members of the Single Scheme.

Pension Age: Minimum pension age of 66 years (rising to 67 and 68 in line with State Pension age changes). Scheme Members must retire at the age of 70 years.

New entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004. Retirement Age will be determined by the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004. The Act introduces new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st April, 2004. For new entrants there is no compulsory retirement age and 65 is the earliest age at which retirement benefits can be paid. In all other cases, 60 years is the minimum retirement age, with 70 years being the maximum retirement age.

Residence:

The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.