Title : IC #17-12 Coordinating Library Associate

Department : Shelving Operations - Central Library

Application Deadline : 06/29/2012 at 5:00 pm

Job Number : Invitation to Compete #17-12

Pay Range : $21.27 - $25.78 per hour

Hours : Full-time; 80 hours per pay period

Special Notes :

Application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012.

 

This is a regular, full-time and benefited non-exempt position. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.

Overview :

The Seattle Public Library is Seattle's center of information and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued services in the city. Library staff members are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. Staff members are committed to the Library's organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity, transparency and recognition. In particular, they demonstrate respect, engage in partnerships, and are transparent in their communications and intentions. A strategic priority of the Library is to foster an internal culture of innovation which focuses on creativity, engagement, learning and staff development.

 

The Shelving Operation (SHO) unit at the Central Library is a part of the Circulation Department and is responsible for retrieving and processing patron holds requested from Central Library collections, sorting and re-shelving materials that are processed by our Automated Materials Handling System, shelf-reading, clearing, computer cleaning, and other materials handling needs for Central Library collections. Shelving Operations staff may also be assigned project work submitted by Library Services staff via a centralized work order processing system.

 

Under the supervision of the Managing Librarian for Borrower Services and the Assistant Managers for Shelving Operations, the Coordinating Library Associate (CLA) will assist in ensuring that shelving operations operate efficiently. The CLA performs a lead role in the unit with regard to clerical and shelving procedures, assisting with monitoring work schedules, delegating shelving tasks and may assist in supervising the unit in the absence of the Assistant Managers. The CLA coordinates the sorting, routing and location of large volumes of books and material that go in and out of the Central Library daily and ensures that books and materials are readily available to the public. This position has a heavy emphasis on timely, on-going work supervision, as the unit is comprised of part-time, benefitted Page staff and low-hour, part-time Student Assistant staff. This position works with two Assistant Managers to oversee the work of a group of 40+ shelving staff as a supervisor through evening and weekend coverage of the Shelving Operations unit. CLA duties may also include assisting with selection, hiring and training new staff. In addition to organizing the day-to-day work of a high-volume production operation, the CLA may take a leadership role in Security issues, as well as problem-solving Facilities and IT issues in the absence of the Assistant Managers. The CLA may also assist with building-wide initiatives, and assume lead roles during emergency building evacuation procedures.

Essential Functions :

• Coordinates the Support Work in the Unit: Assists with applying work schedules and adjusting as necessary. Coordinates and monitors work flow for support staff such as Lead Pages, Pages and Student Assistants, and maintains the calendar of unit activities and services. Oversees projects, assists with evaluating workloads and adjusts assignments accordingly, monitors and orders unit supplies, assists with communications and correspondence, assists in evaluating procedures and operations, and recommends improvements.
• Assists with staff supervision: Assists the Assistant Managers or other supervisor in the selection, training, performance monitoring and evaluation of support staff, provides technical direction and assistance to support staff, maintains basic staffing records, and assists in the administration of Library policies and procedures.
• Provides library services to the public at a lead level: Serves as a lead and resource to the unit staff for public services, including checking in, discharging and routing materials, placing reserves, and resolving questions and disputes. Serves as a resource and lead staff person for handling and resolving patron complaints and problems. Provides patrons with assistance in a variety of ways, such as providing directions, ready reference and guidance on use of automated catalogs and other information resources, and helps locate materials and information on Library services and programs.

Required Qualifications :

• High School Diploma or GED Required
• Excellent customer service and communication skills: Must have at least two years of work experience providing direct customer service to the general public. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills; including the ability to effectively respond in-person to patron communications and inquiries, resolve conflicts among staff and between staff and patrons and work effectively with other staff in a team setting, on projects and in work groups. Must have an ability to communicate in English, orally and in writing, and comprehend spoken and written English.
• Experience maintaining work schedules and planning for/monitoring the work of others: Must have one year work experience in work planning and/or scheduling, including the application of sound supervisory practices, staff training, oversight of office or service operations and project management and excellent time management skills including the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects. Candidates should have highly developed organization skills.
• Office technology skills: Must have work experience in an environment with networked personal computers and intermediate to advanced skill levels in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel; e-mail and electronic file maintenance. In particular strong advanced Excel skills are desired. Candidates must have basic skills retrieving information from the Internet. Candidates must also have basic skills operating and troubleshooting office equipment including photocopiers, keyboards, barcode scanners, receipt printers, printers, and fax machines. Work experience with the staff portal of library circulation or cataloging functions is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with minimum supervision, understand and interpret a variety of complex oral and/or written instructions, and exercise initiative and creativity in resolving problems.
• Thorough knowledge of The Seattle Public Library's circulation systems as well as Policies and Procedures, understanding circulation issues and clearly communicating circulation policies and procedures to staff and to patrons.
• Ability to perform materials handling duties, to safely and efficiently move loads of  materials up to 40 pounds using book carts or intra-agency bins as well as individual items throughout the Central Library to move them from book carts onto service desks and bookshelves, and to do so repeatedly for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work with diverse patronage, individually and in groups:  Candidates who are comfortable working among and providing services to diverse patrons and colleagues, including specifically teens and young adults.
• Sense of Humor: and the ability to instill a positive and enthusiastic approach to public service in those with whom they work.

How to apply :

To be considered for this vacancy all candidates must submit:

• The Seattle Public Library Online Employment Application (available here)
• A Cover Letter describing how your qualifications and experience meet those required for the position (send via e-mail to jobapplications@spl.org)
• Resume (send via e-mail to jobapplications@spl.org)

All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012.

  

THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY PROUDLY PROMOTES DIVERSITY IN EMPLOYMENT. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please let us know.