Public Service Assistant (Imagine Space)

Requisition ID: 8067

Department: Ottawa Public Library

Service: Branch Operations

Branch: Public Services

Employment Type: 2 Permanent Part Time Positions

Work Hours: 17.5 hours per week / 23 hours per week

Affiliation: CUPE 503 Library 

Salary Information: $31.872  - $37.289  per hour (2023 rates of pay)

Location: Nepean Centrepointe Branch, 101 Centrepointe Drive  

City: Ottawa, ON

Job Category: Ottawa Public Library 

Application Close: 12/05/2023

Job Summary

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) provides accessible, innovative library and information services throughout the City of Ottawa, that meet the unique needs of diverse communities, delivered through a range of vehicles and reflecting a citizen-centred approach. The Public Service units are responsible for customer-centric public library activities, programs and services for the Library's 33 branches, mobile and digital services, to meet the needs of branches in their catchment area.

You are responsible for: providing information, reference and readers advisory services in the Library and/or the community and/or mini-libraries, nursing homes and other locations; providing circulation and page services in the Library and/or the community and/or mini-libraries, nursing homes and other locations; performing routine collection maintenance duties; and promoting Library services.

You may be the senior person in charge or exercise responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the library branch.

Work is performed within the context of the policies and framework of the Library corporate culture as embodied in the Mission Statement, Core Values, Customer Experience Guidelines and the Canadian Federation of Library Association position statements on Intellectual Freedom and Diversity and Inclusion, with particular emphasis on providing customer service excellence.

Education And Experience

Completion of 2 year Library Technician Diploma.

Minimum Of 1 Year Of Related Experience.

KNOWLEDGE

• Reference resources in print, microform and electronic formats and of current developments in reference services.
• Knowledge of multiple technology platforms (e.g. tablets, phones, e-readers, Android, Apple, Blackberry) as it relates to library offerings
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.
• Methods and techniques of responding to inquiries and resolving patron complaints.
• Principles of collection development and maintenance.
• Library circulation procedures and practices.
• Adult/children’s literature in a variety of formats, readers’ advisory services, trends in reading, literacy, ESL collections and library programming.
• Electronic database and other bibliographic searching techniques.
• General knowledge of library policies and procedures.
• Methods and techniques for sorting and shelving library materials according to alphabetical, Dewey Decimal or other prescribed sequence and procedures.
• Desktop applications, intranet and internet and keyboarding procedures, to the extent where it may be required to demonstrate such usage to colleagues or library patrons.

Competencies, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to handle and account for cash and to prepare bank deposits.
• Use tact, discretion and confidentiality.
• Ease of comfort with technology.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Strongly committed to quality customer service.
• Attention to detail.
• Flexibility, ability to adjust priorities.
• Data entry, retrieval and keyboarding skills including use of standard office equipment and operation of an IBM compatible computer in Microsoft windows.
• Perform multiple tasks concurrently.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to deal with the public and handle problems as they arise.
• Ability to learn on the job and apply learning to new technologies as required.
• Minimum keyboard skills of 25 wpm.
• Ability to create and design thematic displays.
• To perform routine clerical tasks.
• Ability to think quickly.
• To perform routine manual tasks and maneuver book carts and lift boxes up to 40 pounds.
• Exercise effective judgement and independent decision-making capabilities.
• To carry out a range of circulation/page activities, including registration, collecting fees, and to respond effectively to a range of library service inquiries and resolve complaints.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Customer service orientation, including the use of tact, discretion and confidentiality

What You Need To Know

• Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.
• Language Requirement: English oral, reading, writing required.
• Alternative educational credentials combined with job-related experience, demonstrated performance, and ability may be considered in lieu of stated academic requirements.
• Police Record Check: The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check with the Police Services detachment in their jurisdiction to the Ottawa Public Library's satisfaction.; Police record checks completed by a third-party company will not be accepted.
• Additional vacancies may occur during the competition process.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Ottawa Public Library promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and non-binary persons, persons of all ethnic origins, religions, sexual orientations, classes, gender identities and expressions.

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more designated employment equity groups in the self-identification questionnaire.

The Ottawa Public Library provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the HR Service Centre (email: [email protected]) at 613-580-2424, extension 47411 HR Service Centre at 613-580-2424, extension 47411.