Library Associate

Job Description:

Library Associate

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with an Associate degree from an accredited college or university, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field.
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of two (2) years.

Physical Requirement:

• Must be able to stoop, bend, walk, and reach to heights of six (6) feet.
• Must be able to pull or lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Must be able to push loaded book truck weighing up to three hundred (300) pounds.
• Must have manual dexterity to operate computer keyboard.

Notes to Applicants
The Library Associate at the Austin Public Library will provide services such as shelving books, assisting customers with questions, and locating reading materials within the library.

Available work locations:
40 hours/per week

• Terrazas Library Branch, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 78702
  • Work will include normal business hours of the branch, days, evenings, and weekends to meet operational needs.
  
  
  

30 hours/per week

• Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Dr., 78745
  • Monday - Thursday 2:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
  • Friday 11:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. (will include two Saturday afternoons per month w/Friday off) OR
  • Tuesday - Thursday 2:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
  • Friday 11:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
  • Saturday 11:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Application Instructions:

• A detailed and complete job application is REQUIRED and helps us evaluate your qualifications. In completing your job application, please be sure to provide a COMPLETE employment history regarding any relevant experience that you would like for us to consider. This information will also be used to determine base pay in the event that you are selected for this position. NOTE : A cover letter and/or resume will NOT be used to substitute for an incomplete job application.
• Please understand that your job application, cover letter, and resume will be used to measure or assess your written communication skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling, in helping us screen applications and determine candidates to be interviewed.

Additional Information:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• All new employees are required to attend City of Austin and Austin Public Library training as scheduled and should arrange their outside schedules to accommodate such training.
• Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information.
• This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies of the same job title that may become vacant. The additional vacancies may include a difference in work location, workweek hours, and schedule. Filling additional vacancies from this posting is based on the business needs of the department.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of the minimum qualifications ( Graduation with an Associate degree from an accredited college or university, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of two (2) years. ) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institute.

Veteran:
Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD-214.

The Austin Public Library reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs.

This posting may be used to fill other vacancies that may include differences in workweek, schedule, and location within the department based on business needs.
Pay Range
$21.63 - $23.79

Hours
Regular (30 & 40 hour positions)

• For detailed work schedule see “Notes to Applicants” for work location and hours
• Possible alternating Saturday work schedule
• At least one or more evenings per week (11:45 a.m. - 8:15 p.m.)

Note: Hours may vary based on operational or business needs; evenings and weekends may be required on occasion
Job Close Date 01/22/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Public Library Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Clerical Location Austin Public Library Branches See "Notes to Applicant" Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a library, book store, or similar environment and working knowledge of automated library circulation systems.
• Experience providing friendly customer service, handling a high volume of customers, responding to customer questions, and resolving issues.
• Ability to use a computer and software applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook as required for daily work duties.
• Ability to interact and work with children, teens, adults, and diverse populations, including those unhoused, to help them enjoy library resources.
• Ability to speak Spanish is preferred.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Greets and welcomes customers. Provides direct and indirect customer service to staff and public including staffing public service desks, checking materials in and out, pulling holds, re-shelving items, assisting with customer technology questions, creating displays, and other duties as needed. Creates and implements programs, including outreach engagement, based on community needs and City and department strategic priorities. Responds to customer inquiries and requests for information in-person, by phone, or online; and refers complex inquiries and requests to professional librarians, facilities, and technical staff when needed. Researches and compiles information and resources. Provides administrative support including scheduling and coordinating meetings and room reservations, responding to phone calls, distributing mail, ordering supplies, and completing cash handling tasks. Maintains and manages data, records and reports; and prepares memos, letters, and other documents. Provides guidance to other Library Associates on an as needed basis.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
None
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of money handling and accounting practices.
• Knowledge of books, electronic databases, internet resources, bibliographies and reference materials.
• Knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles and practices in libraries.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in customer service principles.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software, including Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to assist library patrons and other staff.
• Ability to provide high-level customer service.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to use library automation and the internet.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Library Associate position are: Graduation with an Associate degree from an accredited college or university, plus one (1) year of experience in a related field. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of two (2) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position will require that you must be able to stoop, bend, walk and reach heights of six (6) feet; must be able to lift or pull book bags and equipment up to fifty (50) pounds; and, must be able to push loaded book truck up to three hundred pounds. With or without reasonable accommodations, are you able to perform these minimum position requirements?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have work experience sorting or filing items in alphabetical or numerical order?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience working in a library, bookstore, or similar environment?

• Yes
• No

* Describe in detail, using complete sentences, your experience, and responsibilities working in a customer service position.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check

* Select the skill level that best describes your proficiency with computers.

• No experience or not proficient
• Basic proficiency with computers
• Intermediate proficiency with computers
• Advanced proficiency with computers

* Do you have experience in working with customers to resolve complaints.

• Extensive
• Experience
• None

* Do you have experience working with diverse and unhoused communities, including youth and adults? if so, please describe your interactions, if none, please list N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Are you bi-lingual or multi-lingual, with the ability to effectively communicate in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, American Sign Language or any other world language? If so, please list the languages and your ability to speak, read and write in each.
(Open Ended Question)
* My job application is detailed and complete, and I understand that if I am selected as the top candidate for this particular job, my salary will be determined based on the experience submitted on my job application.

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents