Senior Library Assistant

About the Department

THE OPPORTUNITY:
Under supervision of Librarians and Branch Managers, Sr. Library Assistants perform library tasks and provide service in a branch library, library headquarters, or mobile library and perform other work as required. Sr. Library Assistants are distinguished from Library Assistants by their increasingly responsible paraprofessional duties, education, experience, specialized skills, and functional supervision.

This class serves as the top level of the Library Assistant series. Incumbents may give significant input into branch goals, programs and collections. Incumbents may assume a large role in patron programming and outreach, and they may assume supervision of most office functions. At library headquarters, incumbents may lead the Interlibrary Loan Department (ILL) or work as part of the Bibliographic Services (BS) Department placing and processing orders, following mandated accounting procedures, copy and original cataloging, maintaining cataloging vendor contracts and working in the library's Sirsi database.

Examples of typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with and/or create branch programs
• Facilitate branch programs such as book groups and story time
• Assist with materials orders for branch and collection development
• Create branch publicity and use social media effectively
• Direct and manage library volunteers
• Collaborate on system wide workshops, meetings, and committees
• Provide outreach to organizations, schools, and agencies
• Provide excellent customer service using library best practices
• Guide complex research queries for students
• Answer informational questions and Reader's Advisory questions for patrons; find Reader's Advisory information in online sources
• Discern accuracy of web-based information sources
• Create library reading guides and other branch information
• Facilitate the use of e-devices, troubleshooting, and current reading technology and trends; troubleshoot computer and printer problems; understand technology terms and vocabulary
• Use a library ILS to issue library cards, maintain patron records, find library items and place holds, record patron transactions, and assist patrons
• Adhere to cash compliance guidelines while opening, depositing, and reporting monetary transactions and create County-mandated reports for cash transactions
• Prepare a branch to open and close during business hours
• Manage payroll under the supervision of branch manager
• Order and manage branch supplies
• Perform ILL tasks to ensure patrons receive ILLs in a timely manner
• Work with OCLC and ILL Liaisons across the United States
• Place and process vendor library material orders
• Catalog materials in OCLC in various languages
• Work with vendor contracts and County Accounts Payable for processing invoices and resolving problems
• Work in the Sirsi database, performing acquisitions and cataloging functions
• Some positions may require working outside in a mobile library setting

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess either of the following:

Two (2) or more years of experience working in a library setting that demonstrates the possession of the required knowledge and abilities.

Or 

60 semester units of credit from an accredited college or university, or an associate's degree or certificate in library technology or higher, and at least (6) months of experience in a library setting.

Or 

Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience in a customer service industry and completed 60 semester units of credit from an accredited college or university, or an associate's degree or certificate in library technology or higher.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Expertise

• Processing monetary transactions and utilizing a cash register and credit card reader
• Working knowledge of the Sirsi database, Interlibrary Loan programs, Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), or other similar library systems/programs
• Facilitating the use of e-devices, troubleshooting, and current reading technology and trends; troubleshooting computer and printer problems; understanding technology terms and vocabulary

Customer Service

• Providing excellent customer service using library best practices
• Assisting with and/or creating branch programs and providing outreach
• Facilitating branch programs such as book groups and story time

Oral & Written Communication Skills

• Effectively communicating orally and in writing
• Communicating technical information in a clear and easy to understand manner
• Composing correspondence and reports

Special Note:  OC Public Libraries provides services at various locations including the possibility of working outside on a Mobile Library.  Incumbents should be prepared to work weekends, evenings, and rotate to various locations.  These positions have a set schedule and are not on call.  Schedules are subject to change on a case-by-case basis.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Click here for information regarding the minimum qualifications for Senior Library Assistant.

License Required 
Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, may be required depending on assignment.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Recorded Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%) 
Candidates whose applications reflect the most job-related experience will be invited to participate in a Recorded Structured Oral Interview.  Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.  All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process.
 
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Position Duties

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
 
Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Jamiee Lang at Jamiee.Lang@occr.ocgov.com.

Minimum Qualifications

Orange County's 3 million residents enjoy a nearly perfect climate in which parks and beaches provide abundant opportunities for outdoor activities. Orange County is the home of exciting professional sports, a wide range of tourist attractions and quality venues for visual and performing arts. Orange County boasts a thriving business economy and a well educated work force. The County of Orange is a regional service provider and planning agency whose core businesses include public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services and aviation.