Principal Library Assistant - Bookmobile

Job Description

Job Description

JCFPL JOB TITLE: Principal Library Assistant - Bookmobile 

DEPARTMENT: Outreach Branch  

LOCATION:  Five Corners – Bookmobile  

REPORTS TO: Supervising Library Assistant  

CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Principal Library Assistant 

SALARY RANGE: $47,479 - $50,615 per year 

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Full-Time 

WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 to 6:00 PM  

(35 hours/week). May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 23, 2025 

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: 

The Principal Library Assistant, under general direction the Supervising Library Assistant, performs technical and/or paraprofessional duties of considerable difficulty in one or more of the functional areas of librarianship; and does other related duties as required.in order to perform day-to-day paraprofessional work directly related to the acquisition, organization, and distribution of library materials on the Bookmobile, including all aspects of circulation, evaluation and selection for weeding, processing of new books, organization of shelves and re-shelving, and managing holds. The Principal Library Assistant coordinates and collaborates with team and department members, to address the activities of a library unit or section such as circulation desk, periodical section, shelving of library material, microfilm section, book processing section, or interloan section. The Principal Library Assistant will also conduct programs such as story hours, preschool programs, programs and events for school students, children and teens, and programs for senior citizens, convalescents, ethnic groups, and other members of the general community. The Principal Library Assistant also answers patrons' inquiries pertaining to library hours, physical location of library material, offices, or personnel including explanation of basic index systems (for example, card catalog, readers' guide, microfilm, and topical files). The Principal Library Assistant determines and prepares content and arrangement of library material for displays, exhibits, and special library programs. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.  The Principal Library Assistant may be required to drive the Bookmobiles as needed. 

JOB DUTIES:  

• Participates in implementation of library extension programs on mobile units, at community agencies, and in other non-library settings throughout the community; conducts programs for which objectives and general procedures have been established or outlined such as story hours, preschool programs, and programs for senior citizens, convalescents, ethnic groups, and school students; promotes library extension programs; makes personal contacts and provides routine information to community residents.  

• Coordinates activities of a library unit or section such as circulation desk, periodical section, shelving of library material, book processing section, or interloan section; follows established policies and procedures with responsibility for revising work methods or processes to increase efficiency; issues assignments and trains subordinate personnel assigned to such units. 

• Processes interloan requisitions for library material between area/branch libraries and the main library; charges and discharges library material to users; examines collections of books, films, periodicals, and so forth to weed material for purpose of discarding due to obsolescence; inspects books for damage; lists overdue library material and completes overdue notices for notifying patrons; performs filing or shelving tasks involving the use of the Dewey Decimal Classification System and alphabetical filing systems beyond the initial letter of a subject or topic. 

• Promotes good customer service; registers new members; reviews library card applications for completeness as to name, address, and similar personal identification and records changes of such information; answers patrons' inquiries pertaining to library hours, physical location of library material, offices, etc.; explains library services to community residents or groups; answers patrons' inquiries pertaining to library hours, physical location of library material, offices, or personnel including explanation of basic library resources and services; meets the needs of a diverse community; Maintains cooperative relationships with local community residents and system-wide library staff; meet the needs of a diverse community. 

• Determines and prepares content and arrangement of library material for displays, exhibits, and special library programs. 

• Gathers data; compiles numerical reports on circulations, accessions, or other aspects of library operations using basic arithmetic. 

• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. 

• Performs 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 

• Applies effective strategies to manage organizational politics, conflict and difficult behaviors among colleagues and patrons 

• Communicates effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals from diverse backgrounds 

• Selects and applies the most appropriate and effective communication means to meet situational needs 

Customer Service 

• Contributes to and models customer service standards that enhance the user experience 

• Model standards and practices for the delivery of quality internal and external customer service 

• 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 

• Uses creative and innovative approaches to address daily challenges within various job duties and strives to develop initiatives that serve the needs of the Outreach Branch services.   

• Establishes strategies and long-range initiatives to create a learning environment within the division and the library 

• Plans for and supports staff career development opportunities 

• Contributes to the development and implementation of a culture that embraces ongoing learning 

Community Engagement 

• Demonstrates the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services 

• Maintains positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library’s values, services, accomplishments and needs to all stakeholders 

• Builds relationships and support for the library with community organizations 

• Contributes to creating a welcoming and user-friendly physical environment that encourages all community members to use library services 

Technology 

• Performs basic functions of email, calendar applications, and task management. Familiarity with MS Office and Google applications desired.  

• Understands and uses basic computer hardware, peripherals, software, and operating system functions 

• Demonstrates information literacy and understands common security protocols related to Internet use 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:  

• Ability to demonstrate a practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools such as ILS (Integrated Library Systems), shelving arrangements, Dewey Decimal Classification System, and successful completion of relevant manager training within the organization. 

• Two (2) years of experience demonstrating practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools (card catalog, microfilm, shelving, circulation systems, and so forth.) OR Satisfactory completion of a two-year library technician course at an accredited college or university. 

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT SKILLS:   

• Preference given to applicants currently earning a master's degree in library or information science from a library program accredited by the American Library Association or from a New Jersey college master's program in Library Science that has been deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison College.  

• Ability to manage and administer library programs. 

• Knowledge of Jersey City’s population, geography, and/or local government. 

• Facility in a non-English language spoken in Jersey City (such as Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog, etc.).is desired. 

• CDLB License 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 job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of
activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the employee for this job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

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.

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