Pub Svc Library Asst

Staff - Union
Job Category
CUPE 2950
Job Profile
CUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 1 (Gr2)
Job Title
Pub Svc Library Asst
Department
Administrative Support | Department of Geography
Compensation Range
$4,018.00 - $4,117.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
June 19, 2023
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.
Job End Date
Jul 2, 2024
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The Geographic Information Centre (GIC) in the Department of Geography holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of physical historical aerial photographs in B.C. These air photos are a unique, crucial resource to a variety of ongoing environmental, land-use planning, archaeological, transportation and infrastructure projects in the Province as they provide a continuous temporal record of a site’s history over time.
The primary function of this role is to provide support to the library’s air photo loan services. The GIC fulfils dozens of air photo orders from commercial clients and/or researchers everyday under a quick turnaround time and a great amount of diligence is required for the search, retrieval, compilation and processing of each request to ensure their accuracy and thoroughness. The position is also expected to perform other library, clerical and customer service duties as needed to meet the needs of library patrons and ensure smooth and successful library operations. Sample tasks include but are not limited to: sorting and shelving of materials, processing mail and incoming materials, demonstrating use of catalogue systems, assisting users to locate library materials, receiving payments, answering e-mail and phone inquiries, data entry, scanning and archiving.
Organizational Status
Reports to the GIC Manager and Geography Administrator. Works under the general guidance of the Manager and Senior GIC staff. Interacts and collaborates frequently with faculty, staff, and students from both Geography and other departments/units across campus.
Work Performed

• Respond to in-person, email, and telephone inquiries from library patrons
• Following established library procedure and practice, decide on appropriate photos based on needs of clients, i.e., time period, scale, event
• Air Photo Search and Retrieval
• Physically gather the chosen photos from compact storage system, which frequently involve using step ladders to retrieve photos and boxes (weighing up to 10 pounds) from tall shelves
• Demonstrate use of catalogue systems, assist users to locate library materials by performing simple searches, and provide information on library resources and locations
• Review the retrieved imagery to ensure the geographic area and features requested are fully covered by the photos
• Perform other duties as required
• Provide information to patrons regarding reading room, library and air photo services
• Arrange courier pick-ups
• Process course reserve readings at the beginning of semesters
• Clerical Duties
• Shipping
• Perform routine circulation and stack maintenance duties
• Performs routine mending and repair of library materials
• Thoroughly examine and search a multitude of digital databases as well as paper map indices to generate a complete inventory of available imagery of the requested location
• Scanning and archival of photo negatives using a sophisticated large format scanner
• Responsible for the maintenance of office supplies inventory and orders
• Customer Service
• Prepare and securely package outgoing library materials for shipping
• Trace and track packages to ensure successful and on-time delivery
• Facilitate inter-library loan (ILL) processes with other educational institutions
• Charging, discharging, sorting, organizing and shelving of high volumes (1000’s weekly) of library materials such as air photos, maps, books, articles, reserve readings
• Perform various data entry tasks using MS Office, including but not limited to the recording of outgoing and incoming library materials, courier tracking numbers, photo orders and invoice amounts
• Circulation

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position plays a key role in the GIC’s everyday operations and particularly in the air photo loan program. Inaccurate or incomplete air photo fulfilment would have serious impact on our credibility and fee-for-services as orders are often carried out for professionals in the engineering and consulting sectors working on key projects in the Province. Work of faculty, students and many researchers who rely on air photos and other geography resources will also suffer if the GIC does not provide adequate assistance.
Supervision Received
Work is done under supervision. The successful applicant will receive extensive training on air photos and library operations from the GIC Staff, which are of moderate complexity but require exceptional level of attention to detail. The successful applicant will work as a team as well as independently under supervision of the Manager. Unusual problems will be referred to the Manager and other Senior Staff.
Supervision Given
None.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Graduation, plus two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications
Geography and industry:

• Familiarity with accessing various government data distribution services and web map applications (e.g. GeoBC, NAPL, VanMap).
• Demonstrate interest or knowledge in remote sensing, planning, environmental assessment or consulting practices.
• Ability to discern geographic features from aerial photographs, topographic and index maps.
• Familiarity with air photos, National Topographic System, stereoscopes.

Computer and technical proficiencies:

• Ability to type 60 wpm.
• Knowledge and experience with Web Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress) desired.
• Familiarity with Google Earth and/or other geospatial applications, KMZ/KML file formats.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other common office software (Adobe Acrobat, web browsers, file compressors) at an intermediate level.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, i.e. photocopier, scanner, telephone.
• Experience with graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator) is an asset.

Candidates demonstrating the following traits are desired:

• Ability to interact with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and professional manner. Can respond to basic complaints and handle occasional exposure to minor disagreeable conditions, such as dealing with upset or difficult clients.
• Ability to accurately interpret, and make decisions within established organizational guidelines and regulations.
• Ability to handle a high volume of work, establish priorities, organize workload and complete tasks under pressure to meet deadlines and demands of a very busy library.
• Ability to be thorough, accurate and exercise high level of attention to detail.