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SalaryJOB INFORMATION
Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team.
Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.
POSITION DETAILS:
This para-professional position provides comprehensive library services to patrons and is involved with a wide variety of library activities and operations. Supervision is received from the Assistant Branch Administrator or Branch Administrator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strong and effective customer service, exhibiting patience and courtesy while staffing the desk, including check-in and check-out of FCPL materials
- Assist patrons of all ages with information questions or reader's advisory requests and assistance with using library technologies, downloading e-content and related assistance
- Assist patrons in using computerized and print information sources and/or direct them to other appropriate sources
- Maintain general knowledge of branch collections and resources, and current literature
- Present pre-planned programs for children, teen and adults, as needed
- Perform basic bibliographic searches related to interlibrary loan requests and reserves
- Explain FCPL policies and services to patrons, and refer difficult questions to the supervisor
- Assist with general maintenance of branch collections
- Prepare and maintain displays to promote reading and FCPL services, as assigned
- Circulate FCPL materials (check-out and return); and perform other basic clerical duties related to circulation of materials
- May perform duties as a Passport Acceptance Agent, to include executing passport applications
- Participate in outreach events to promote library services
- Attend related workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
- Perform other related duties as required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here 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.
- High school graduation or the equivalent
- Minimum 2 years of customer service work experience, working directly with the public in retail, education, community or public relations, or any high traffic customer service setting
- Word processing and/or data entry experience or training
- Ability to obtain Library Associate certification from the MD State Department of Education, plus ability and willingness to attend training sessions as applicable
- Knowledge of public library practices and procedures
- Knowledge of research techniques, research materials and general readers' interest, as well as authors, books and other formats of library materials
- Working knowledge of social media tools and techniques, and ability to effectively communicate in an online environment to engage customers via social media
- Knowledge of standard computer applications and devices including tablets/mobile devices, software applications, and downloadable e-format materials
- Strong internal and external customer service ability including ability to exhibit patience, tact, and courtesy working collaboratively in a team environment
- Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills
- May require the ability to become certified as a Passport Acceptance Agent from the U.S. Department of State within 180 days of hire and maintain certification
- Ability to effectively access and utilize FCPL's computerized systems and the Internet, and ability to effectively provide related instruction for customers and staff in a friendly and respectful manner
- Ability to effectively organize work, problem solve, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
- Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and effectively manage time in a busy environment
- Ability to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, positive attitude and good judgment.
- Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with patrons, co-workers and the general public
- 6 months of work experience in a public, academic or school library
- Additional years of customer service work experience
- While in this position, the employee is constantly reaching; frequently sitting, walking, lifting up to 20 pounds; occasionally stooping, kneeling, crouching
- While in this position, the employee is constantly indoors
- During outreach programs and events the employee is frequently working outdoors; working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) working in cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and walking on uneven ground
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
- Ability to provide own transportation to meetings, workshops and various branch libraries as needed
- Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule
EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
- An evaluation of training and experience
- One or more interviews
This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
