Library Technician I

The City of Puyallup is hiring a Library Technician I, with a focus on Public Services.
It is impactful to join Team Puyallup and provide meaningful work in support of public service and the wellbeing of our community. We value our culture of demonstrating excellence in our work, being service focused, supporting collaboration, and having integrity in all that we do. We encourage those that share these values to apply to our open positions and/or forward to colleagues who may be ready for their next career advancement opportunity.

The successful candidate will perform clerical and technical work relating to the effective operation of the Library. Employees perform a wide variety of different tasks related to one or more major program areas of the library including circulation, reference, and technical services. The level of responsibility increases with experience on the job to a level where employees function with considerable independence. Initially work is checked by one of the other technicians or librarians. Careful attention to detail is required in all areas. Errors in work can result in inaccurate information being provided to customers or inaccurate fees being charged. Work requires a considerable amount of contact with customers of all age and skill levels and library employees. Work is performed in an office setting.

The City of Puyallup is a community of 43,000 and is situated at the foot of scenic Mount Rainier. The city is known as a regional commercial center, and serves its residents and neighbors with a strong, diversified economy. Our employees live in and support a community that has excellent schools, amazing parks and recreational activities, and a vibrant downtown with a variety of restaurants and retail establishments.

In addition to the essential functions of the Library Assistant, incumbents also must have the following skills:

• Assist patrons with reference questions in person, on the phone and via email;
• Refer patrons to Librarians as needed;
• Explain library procedures, rules and policy;
• Assist with patron technology questions for computers, e-readers and meeting room equipment;
• Resolve complex, non-routine problems with patron and collection records;
• Serve as backup in the absence of Library Assistant; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The duties listed below are also considered essential for the Public Services position:

• Maintain Library's social media accounts;
• Create records for donated materials, including creating item records; and
• Merging of records in Horizon for newly acquired materials;
• Maintain meeting room schedules and equipment, troubleshoot as necessary;
• Maintain selected Library website content; and
• Create and distribute event calendars and flyers using Library Aware or other creative applications.

The employee may cross-train and provide back-up support in the following assignments:
Cataloging:

• Add records to the catalog in a timely manner, making continuous progress, use OCLC's Connexion or Baker & Taylor Cataloging system to obtain records; and
• Perform copy cataloging for all types of materials, following national standards for AACR2, RDA, LC Subject headings and local cataloging procedures; and
• Create records for magazines, including creating item record and evaluating yearly orders.

Circulation:

• Maintain records of missing items, damage from patron use, or items in need of repair. Contact patrons as necessary in person, via phone or email;
• Print, sort, and mail overdue and billing notices;
• Prepare materials to be lent and borrowed to and from other libraries. (Interlibrary Loan);
• Create item records for donated materials; and
• Merging of records in Horizon for newly acquired materials.

Outreach:

• Perform outreach services within the Puyallup community, including travel to facilities and selection of materials.

Acquisitions:

• Place orders for Librarian selected materials; and
• Maintain records of items received from vendors.

Knowledge of:

• Dewey Decimal System;
• Electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including word processing, spreadsheets, applications;
• Basic Library functions including circulation, reference, and technical services;
• Cataloging: Knowledge of AACR2 and RDA; Familiarity with OCLC's Connexion client software. Ability to learn Bibframe and linked data concepts. Ability to catalog in non-English languages;
• Outreach: Knowledge of or ability to learn specific needs of Outreach clients. Ability to drive;
• Acquisitions: Knowledge of or ability to learn item record creation in Sirsi Dynix's Horizon. Familiarity with FTP processes.
• Circulation: Advanced knowledge of circulation services.
• Public Services: Familiarity with Social Media platforms and standards.

Ability to:

• Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to your job while working with a variety of computer programs that are regularly updated and can change in functionality;
• Perform detailed, routine procedures accurately and under pressure;
• Use initiative and mature judgment in handling a variety of situations;
• Effectively express ideas, convey information, and to communicate in English both verbally and in writing;
• Maintain tact, courtesy, and confidentiality in dealing with the public and co-workers;
• Work a varied and flexible schedule on short notice;
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work; and
• Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Education and Experience
Completion of course work in a Library Technician AAS program or two years of library experience at a level equivalent to Library Technician I. Bachelor's degree desired.

Constant use of sight and hearing abilities to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while handling library materials. Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while reaching to shelve library materials, working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position. Frequent standing in combination with walking throughout work shift in library areas; standing may be extended at times. Frequent lifting/carrying up to 30-pound library materials, file boxes, etc. Frequent pushing/pulling force up to 40 pounds while moving book trucks and bins.. Occasional crouching and crawling while putting books on lower shelves. Occasional climbing on step stools, ladders and stairs. Works primarily indoors in a library environment with low noise levels.

Those applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the City's current needs will be contacted for interviews and/or testing. The appointing authority may conduct second interviews.
Notification - Following submission of application, an email acknowledgment receipt of application is given. Persons selected for an interview and/or testing will be notified by email, normally within 15 working days following the closing date on the job announcement.
Not Selected - No formal notification is usually sent by the City to applicants not selected for an interview or test. Should the same or another position open for which the applicant wishes to apply, he/she must apply online for each new opening.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Essential Functions - The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.
Hours of Work - This is a regular, full-time 40 hour per week position. All Library positions work a variety of schedules which will include evenings and weekends.
Union Affiliation - This is an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit position.
Equal Employment Opportunity - The City of Puyallup is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.
Background -The City of Puyallup will need to obtain the proper background and criminal history information pursuant to RCW 43.43.830/832 for positions where the employee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons or vulnerable adults.
Disability - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Identification - Applicants who are offered employment with the City are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States within three days of date of hire, as required by the 1986 Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. A list of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work will be provided to those who are offered employment. The City uses the E-Verify program.
Drug-Free Workplace -The City of Puyallup is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.
Note - The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Employment Type: Regular Full-time