Library Assistant (Outreach)
hace 1 día
Jersey City
Job DescriptionJCFPL JOB TITLE: Library Assistant DEPARTMENT: Outreach Branch LOCATION: Priscilla Gardner Main Library REPORTS TO: Outreach Branch Manager CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Library Assistant SALARY RANGE: $34,920 - $37,803 per year FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Full Time WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (scheduled up to 35 hours/week). Evening and weekends will be scheduled as needed. APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 3, 2026 BENEFIT SUMMARY: This summary outlines the general benefits available to library employees, designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits available to Full-Time Employees: Medical coverage 60 days from the first day of employment, Prescription coverage is the first of the month following 60 days of employment at no cost to the employee and additional cost per each dependent added. Dental coverage is provided at no cost 60 days after the first day of employment. Vision coverage is provided at no cost and reimbursed at $250.00 per year. Additional Full-Time benefits include Life & AD&D insurance, 403b, Participation in pension plan (dependent on age at the time of hire date). Part-Time Employee benefits include participation in pension plan and sick/vacation leave. A more detailed summary can be found on our Employment Opportunities page located at JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, with ten locations and growing, and a collection comprising over 2.5 million print and digital items. Our staff of nearly 120 dedicated individuals serves the residents, students, and workers of Jersey City: the largest city in Hudson County, N.J., and the second-largest city in New Jersey. The staff of JCFPL reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Jersey City, which is consistently ranked as the most diverse community in the United States. Collectively, our staff speaks over 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Gujarati, Marathi, Igbo, Portuguese, and others. JCFPL is committed to building on our strong foundation and expanding our ability to meet the needs of Jersey City’s growing and increasingly diverse community. ABOUT THE POSITION: Overview: The Library Outreach Assistant is classified as a Library Assistant under civil service and plays a key role in expanding the library's reach by engaging with diverse community members outside of the library's physical locations. This position supports all divisions of the Outreach Branch while performing the standard duties of a Library Assistant, including circulation, shelving, interlibrary loan processing, and other core library functions. Supervision: While the Outreach Branch Manager is the primary supervisor, the Library Assistant coordinates with the Supervising Library Assistant and other division staff - such as those overseeing bookmobiles, community outreach, career and education programs, wellness initiatives, and community events - to ensure coverage and effective support for programs, events, and materials across all Outreach Branch divisions while performing the standard duties of a Library Assistant. JOB DUTIES: Community Outreach: • Assist in developing and implementing outreach strategies and marketing pieces to increase awareness of library services and programs among targeted community groups., • Represent the library at community events, fairs, festivals, and other off-site locations to promote library resources and services., • Distribute promotional materials and provide information about library services to individuals and organizations., • Collaborate with library staff to develop and deliver engaging and informative outreach activities and presentations.Program Support:, • Assist in planning, coordinating, promoting and executing outreach programs, including mobile library services, bookmobile visits, pop-up library events, and community-based programs such as story hours, preschool programs, and senior or ethnic group programs., • Set up and dismantle outreach displays, ensuring materials are organized and accessible., • Provide direct support during programs, including assisting patrons with library card applications, checking out materials, answering basic inquiries, and ensuring a welcoming environment for all participants., • Support the preparation and arrangement of library materials for displays, exhibits, and special programs., • Support library unit activities such as circulation, shelving, interlibrary loan processing, periodical and book processing sections, and other routine tasks assigned., • Perform check-in/check-out of library materials, shelving according to Dewey Decimal Classification and alphabetical filing systems, and maintaining organized library collections., • Register new members, review library card applications for completeness, and update records as needed., • Answer basic patron inquiries about library hours, services, locations, and materials, including explanations of online catalogs, digital resources, and other basic reference services.Administrative and Technical Skills:, • Maintain an organized inventory of outreach materials and ensure stock is complete and in good condition., • Assist with administrative tasks, including responding to phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, and tracking outreach-related budgets and expenses., • Learn and utilize electronic and/or manual recording systems and computerized information systems used by the library., • Demonstrate information literacy and proficiency with basic computer applications (MS Office, Google Suite), hardware, and security protocols.Other Duties:, • May be required to drive one of the bookmobiles as needed (one requires a CDL license), • Perform other duties as assigned.CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication/Collaboration • Communicates effectively using a variety of methods., • Effectively communicates relevant and timely information to appropriate stakeholders., • Develops and maintains effective relationships with others to achieve common goals., • Works effectively on teams with strong team-building skills and attitudes., • Communicates effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals from diverse backgrounds.Customer Service, • Contributes to and models customer service standards that enhance the user experience., • Applies customer service skills to enhance the level of user satisfaction., • Applies effective techniques to address difficult situations with users and staff., • Understands and acts in accordance with the basic values and ethics of library service.Professional Development, • Manages the development of one’s own learning and ongoing improvement of skills and knowledge., • Plans for and supports staff career development opportunities., • Demonstrates the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services., • Contributes to creating a welcoming and user-friendly physical environment that encourages all community members to use library services., • Represents the library at community events, outreach programs, and other external activities to promote library services and resources.Technology, • Performs basic functions of email, calendar applications, and task management, familiarity with MS Office including Forms and Excel, and Google applications as a plus., • Understands and uses basic computer hardware, peripherals, software, and operating system functions., • Demonstrates information literacy and understands common security protocols related to Internet use., • Uses library-specific electronic systems such as Integrated Library Systems (ILS), online catalogs, and virtual program platforms.REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:, • High school diploma or equivalent; some college coursework or a degree in library science, education, or a related field is preferred., • Knowledge of basic arithmetic operations using whole numbers., • Ability to perform extensive alphabetical filing beyond the initial letter of a word., • Ability to perform numerical filing beyond the initial digit of a sequence of figures., • Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units., • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable, • Preference given to applicants currently earning a Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or from a New Jersey college Master’s program in Library Science deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison College., • Previous experience in community outreach, customer service, or a library setting is desirable., • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse populations., • Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of community needs and dynamics., • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail., • Basic computer skills, • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by outreach activities., • Knowledge of Jersey City’s population, geography, and/or local government., • Facility in a non-English language spoken in Jersey City (e.g., Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog) is desired., • CDL licenses are highly desirable., • NJ Driver’s license is required. NOTES: For all employees, regardless of full-time or part-time status, JCFPL is considered the primary employer. Work hours are assigned according to the Library’s operational needs. Work hours are not scheduled to accommodate employees’ other employment, academic, or other outside obligations, except in circumstances agreed upon in writing by the employee and the employee’s supervisor. This vacancy is associated with a New Jersey Civil Service job title. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission requires all incumbents to possess and be prepared to verify the minimum experience and skills required for the associated Civil Service job title. This position is subject to residency requirements as set forth in the New Jersey First Act and not available for work visa sponsorship. Powered by JazzHR sr97Jsxddo