Youth- Library Services Specialist

Work Hours:  Monday – Saturday , 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*

Work Location: Chattanooga Public Library
1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Salary Range : $18.19/hour - $21.97/hour

FLSA Status:  This is a Non-Exempt position.

Department:  Public Library

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for representing the Chattanooga Public Library by applying specialized knowledge to provide excellent internal or external customer service in assisting patrons or executing Library operations. Work requires limited supervision.

SERIES LEVEL: 

The Library Services Specialist is a stand-alone position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Delivers consistently excellent customer service while supporting the Library mission to be the community's catalyst for lifelong learning through inspiring communication, integrity, and passion. 

Displays professional acumen by being knowledgeable about Library industry practices, services; and patron-facing consumer and prosumer hardware, software, and other technology. 

Internalizes the mission by taking the initiative to self-educate in professional development and skills. 

Advances the mission using common sense and critical thinking to achieve goals while amplifying team coherence. 

Proposes improvements to Chattanooga Public Library operations and services. 

May serve as designated shift leader on duty to coach and motivate other Library staff while upholding a culture which builds exceptional internal and external customer experiences.  

Cross-trains in all Library Departments.  

Enforces policies and procedures while balancing patron needs with administrative requirements.

Proposes, develops, promotes, implements, administers and evaluates specialty programs and services; relates materials and displays to promote the library and associated programs.  

May process forms for passport application processes, following established guidelines and regulations set forth by the U.S. government. May operate as Notary Public.  

Operates any necessary devices and machines in the course of Library operations including postage processing and foodservice equipment.  

Participates in operation-wide inventory management.

Assists patrons by providing solutions to informational requests and evaluating resources in order to match information needs with reference and/or advisory materials.  

Performs circulation desk activities including checkout and renewal of material, issuing library cards and collecting money for fines. 

Processes inter-library loans for patrons with applicable state or national libraries; manages and maintains related databases. 

Trains patrons in the use of electronic reference sources by providing guidance and instruction for both general and specific requests; enables patrons to operate equipment and meet their informational needs; troubleshoots problems or instructs patrons in the use of software and hardware.  

Evaluates the informational utility of various online sources for referral to library patrons including researching relevant professional literature.

Plans, prepares, and maintains displays/exhibits to promote the circulation of materials, books and/or other related items. 

Sorts and shelves library material; reads shelves; weeds and discards library material; empties book drop and processes returned material.  

Recommends material to be purchased. 

Ensures completeness and accuracy of the bibliographic record.  

Monitors and maintains databases in assigned area of responsibility.

Prepares and compiles a variety of statistics related to library operations in assigned area of responsibility.  

Understands performance metrics and makes an effort to improve them.

Participates in a variety of meetings, committees and/or other related groups in order to receive and convey information. 

Travels to various locations to present programs and services. Listens to feedback and takes constructive action.  

Gives basic direction and feedback to other Library employees. 

Prioritizes patrons and tasks with attention to detail.  Communicates effectively at all levels.  

Considers the impact of actions on an individual, team and the organization.  

Actively participates in Library Safety Program.

Promotes, collaborates with and directs patrons to other public and community resources.

Performs regular cleaning of building facilities, including sanitizing work surfaces, cleaning shelves, sanitizing children’s toys, vacuuming, emptying trash and recycling bins.

Participates in Staff/Summer Picks program to select annual titles for inclusion; this is a yearlong process and includes staying abreast of current practices and trends in publishing; reading new or forthcoming titles for nomination process; reading and evaluating nominated titles; finalizing language for publication of booklists.

Prepares daily cash register drawers, processes daily deposits, processes weekly coin-operated deposit, and other financial processes.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or GED and at least four (4) years of any combination of relevant education, training or experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job will be considered.
Preferred experience for Library Service Specialist positions include one to two years serving the public, working with children, in ordering and cataloging materials, instructing the public in the use of makerspace equipment, and creating and delivering library programming.
Depending on the assigned area, must be qualified to become a passport agent within 6 months of hire. 
Depending on the assigned area, examples of preferred experience for Library Service Specialist positions include one to two years serving the public, working with children, or in ordering and cataloging materials. 
 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

A valid Tennessee Driver's License, depending on assigned area.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of library science practices; customer service principles, middle to advanced level knowledge of the use of cloud computing, teleconferencing, and media production software and devices; advisory and reference resources; bibliographic formats and standards; general knowledge of professional librarianship cataloging rules and resources including databases; database management principles; educational concepts and standards, reference materials, techniques and practices; print and online reference sources. Skill in prioritizing work; the use of computers and mobile devices; significant accuracy and strong attention to detail; conceiving and creating technical training and educational content; managing and maintaining databases; providing customer service; evaluating information sources for reliability, accuracy and appropriateness; performing computer and device troubleshooting; retrieving, organizing and disseminating information; conducting informational searches; prioritizing, organizing and managing multiple simultaneous projects; reading, applying and explaining rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; preparing clear and concise reports; gathering and analyzing information; skill in interpersonal communication with coworkers, supervisors and patrons sufficient to provide a high level of customer service receive complex work direction, and collaborate at a high level.
Knowledge of emerging trends in technology, industry, and the arts. Skill in translating complex systems and processes into easy to follow instructional lessons in person and through documentation.  
Collaborative and engaging communication, internal and external.  Ability to learn new skills quickly and troubleshoot problems, foreseen and unforeseen.  Ability to train on, update, and maintain software for use with makerspace equipment including the entire Adobe Creative Suite, equipment-specific software for specialty printers and cutters, and any new software downloaded to makerspace computers and tablets.  Excellence in hands-on and self-directed learning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Medium Work: Exerting up to 45 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up-to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Safety Sensitive:  N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: Y  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire.

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test / TB screening questionnaire / TB Skin Test / Complete Physical screening / DOT Clearinghouse / HepB Titer / fingerprinting / CJIS check.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 12.15.23