Public Services Assistant I

The Snohomish Library serves the City of Snohomish and the surrounding area of approximately 60,000 people. The community makes use of the library services including the public computers, study tables, study rooms, and the public meeting room. The programs for youth, especially Storytimes, are well attended and draw customers into the library to make use of the library’s collection.

The successful candidate will serve our community by providing assistance at the library circulation desk, answering phones, checking library materials in and out, registering customers for library cards, and performing other circulation tasks according to library needs. This 15 hour per week position will work Mondays and Saturdays and may include morning, afternoon, and evening hours, and occasional Sundays. The successful candidate may be required to adapt to future schedule changes depending on library needs.

The Public Services Assistant I performs basic public service and library support tasks at one or more community libraries or Library on Wheels to contribute to their effective operation, providing library services, spaces, and resources that are representative of diverse cultures and perspectives, intentionally inclusive, and accessible to everyone.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 2.

Sno-Isle Libraries is committed to embedding equity into our organization. As we engage in equity work, it's important to have a good foundation to frame the work and then provide training opportunities to build skills and knowledge.

We value and embrace the unique experiences our staff members bring to the organization and recognize how their experiences improve the service we provide.

As a valued member of Sno-Isle Libraries, the person selected for this position is eligible for sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays, and dental coverage. For more information about these benefits, visit our Employment webpage.

Functionslistedareintendedonlyasillustrationsofthevarioustypesofworkperformed.Theomissionofspecificdutiesdoesnotexcludethemfromthepositioniftheworkissimilar,relatedora logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Provide assistance at the library circulation desk, answer phones, check library materials in and out, register customers for library cards, and order various library materials.
2. Assist customers with self-checkout machines and answer questions in the hold areas.
3. Return library materials to proper locations and support circulation duties.
4. Provide assistance to library customers with basic reference questions.
5. Respond to technical services calls and assist with problems with the fax machines, public copiers, pay-for-print stations, vending machines, and printers.
6. Submit and monitor technical reports for library technology service issues.
7. Perform other public service and general clerical support tasks as assigned.

1. Prepare correspondences and reports.
2. Train new staff as needed.
3. Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as assigned.
4. Assist with special projects as required.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

The position may report to a Library Circulation Supervisor or Library Manager I, depending on the size of the library. Although direct supervision is not a normal part of this position's work, incumbents may be called on to provide task direction to Page staff and library volunteers in absence of a supervisor.

1. Knowledge of established practices and procedures for an integrated library system (ILS).
2. Knowledge of library policies, procedures, and services.
3. Knowledge of alpha and numeric systems for arranging library materials.
4. Strong customer service skills.
5. Strong organization and attention to detail.
6. Ability to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
8. Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
9. Ability to handle and resolve disruptive behavior effectively.
10. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with others.
11. Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, electronic databases, email, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position can be acquired by a combination of experience and education including:

1. High School diploma or G.E.D. required.
2. These skills and abilities typically are acquired through completion of secondary school or equivalent together with several months in a customer service environment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most of the work is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent must identify and organize library materials such as books, audiobooks, and DVDs based on small-print numbers and alphabetical characters; scan and inspect library materials including opening media cases; and operate computers for extended periods of time.

An incumbent must occasionally move objects or materials weighing up to 35 pounds, including transfer of books and other materials to carts or shelves of varying heights. Incumbents may be required to move carts of books and other materials about the building for extended periods of time, and frequently remain stationary at one workstation for extended periods of time.

The incumbent must regularly communicate with coworkers and members of the public. These contacts and situations are deemed to be generally safe and free of undue stress, but require incumbents to be cordial, helpful, and skilled in interpersonal relations with others both in the public and within the Library District.

1. Provide one or two detailed examples of your experience providing direct customer service. 
2. Provide one example providing technical assistance to customers such as helping with a fax machine, copier or any other equipment.
3. Provide one example of a time you had to use good organizational skills and had to pay attention to a lot of details. 
4. Describe one example using each of the following computer software: 1. MS Word, 2. Email and 3. Internet Navigation.

Sno-Isle Libraries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. This and all Sno-Isle Libraries' positions are subject to transfer.