What are the responsibilities and job description for the Library Senior Assistant - Substitute (Local History) position at City of Pittsfield?
Job Description
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s Public Library, is seeking to fill the substitute position of Library Senior Assistant. The Senior Assistant will assist patrons both in person and by telephone in locating and using department materials, including local history, genealogy, Melville, Berkshire Authors, and general reference collections. They will assist and instruct patrons in the use of department source materials and equipment, including specialized computer systems and microformat readers and printers, and staff the department’s public service desk without supervision. In addition, the Senior Assistant will complete shelving, filing, and other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
This position involves intermittent hours working as a substitute at a public service desk in the Local History Department. The Library foresees a six-week training period of 8 hours per week. Subsequently, there will be opportunities for substitute hours, covering absences due to employee leave. These hours may fluctuate from zero to nineteen hours per week, with the expectation of working no less than one 3- or 4-hour shift per month. This is a substitute position without regular hours; however any projected schedule may include weekday, evening, and Saturday assignments.
Responsibilities
The City of Pittsfield is the cultural, commercial, legal, and medical center of the Berkshires - a region renowned for its wonderful people, outstanding standard of living, beautiful landscapes, and the finest in cultural and recreational attractions.
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a multicultural work force, excellence in public service, and on-going mutual respect in our working relationships. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply for our open positions - recognizing and respecting that diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to our public service.
Benefits
Priority deadline for all applicants: July 24, 2024
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s Public Library, is seeking to fill the substitute position of Library Senior Assistant. The Senior Assistant will assist patrons both in person and by telephone in locating and using department materials, including local history, genealogy, Melville, Berkshire Authors, and general reference collections. They will assist and instruct patrons in the use of department source materials and equipment, including specialized computer systems and microformat readers and printers, and staff the department’s public service desk without supervision. In addition, the Senior Assistant will complete shelving, filing, and other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
This position involves intermittent hours working as a substitute at a public service desk in the Local History Department. The Library foresees a six-week training period of 8 hours per week. Subsequently, there will be opportunities for substitute hours, covering absences due to employee leave. These hours may fluctuate from zero to nineteen hours per week, with the expectation of working no less than one 3- or 4-hour shift per month. This is a substitute position without regular hours; however any projected schedule may include weekday, evening, and Saturday assignments.
Responsibilities
- Performs specific tasks assigned by the supervisor, usually one time projects, but may be trained for specific functions involving ongoing duties, including special research, database creation/maintenance, and preservation activities
- Performs clerical duties
- Applies problem solving abilities to appropriate circumstances and routinely addresses complaints and resolves problems
- Performs Internet and other computer searches
- Provides public desk coverage as applicable, including assisting library users in answering reference questions of moderate to higher complexity, assisting patrons locating and using department materials and equipment, and maintaining public discipline and decorum
- Assists with program planning and execution, including scheduling of special events and promotion
- Assists in the training of subordinate staff
- Uses the department’s audio-visual, office, and computer equipment and resources and routinely offers training to staff and/or public in its use
- Performs other duties as assigned, including shelving tasks as needed
- Bachelor's degree or two years of college or technical school with related course work or one year of related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated organizational and problem solving skills
- Ability to interact with the public at all ages and levels of research experience, including an ability to maintain the proper discipline and decorum of library visitors
- Comfortable learning about and using new and changing library technology
- Computer experience and aptitude, including keyboard skills
- Ability to work efficiently with minimum supervision
The City of Pittsfield is the cultural, commercial, legal, and medical center of the Berkshires - a region renowned for its wonderful people, outstanding standard of living, beautiful landscapes, and the finest in cultural and recreational attractions.
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a multicultural work force, excellence in public service, and on-going mutual respect in our working relationships. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply for our open positions - recognizing and respecting that diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to our public service.
Benefits
- Direct Deposit
- Free Permitted Parking
- Holiday Pay
- Vacation / Sick Time (Generic Leave)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Foreign Language Incentive Pay
- Opportunities for Professional Development
- Berkshire Athenaeum Employees Association Collective Bargaining unit
Priority deadline for all applicants: July 24, 2024