Library Associate

Job Information

This job announcement is being used to create a pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies. Hiring for these positions will occur as openings become available and is dependent upon continued funding.

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team. Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.

Current Vacancies:

• Adult Services: Brunswick Branch Library; Non-exempt; part-time; 20 hours per week; scheduled varied workdays and hours that include daytime, weekday evenings and weekends (both days) during FCPL operating schedule, pro-rated benefits excluding health benefits; participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System; position subject to system-wide reassignment
• Children Services: Middletown Branch Library; Non-exempt; part-time; 20 hours per week; scheduled varied workdays and hours that include daytime, weekday evenings and weekends (both days) during FCPL operating schedule, pro-rated benefits excluding health benefits; participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System; position subject to system-wide reassignment

This para-professional position provides comprehensive library services and programs for all patrons at the library and also is involved in a wide range of library activities and operations. Specialty areas include Adults, Teens, and Children Services as well as Generalist. Direction may be given to staff as assigned. Supervision is received from the Department Head, Assistant Branch Manager, or Branch Manager. In a branch setting, this person may serve as the "Person-in-Charge".

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

Total compensation package: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive medical insurance plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including dental, vision, and flexible spending
• Employee health center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary group term life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• Participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System
• Work/life balance programs include: employee assistance program and employee wellness program
• Generous tuition reimbursement program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as deferred compensation plan, legal resources, supplemental life insurance, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance, lifetime benefit with long term care plan

Note: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Under direction, develop and present innovative age-appropriate programs and outreach activities as assigned
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the library collection and current literature
• Participate in implementation of system-wide programs, events and outreach
• Assist patrons of all ages with reference questions or readers' advisory requests
• Assist patrons in using computerized and manual information sources and/or direct patrons to other appropriate sources
• Perform basic bibliographic searches related to inter-library loan requests and reserves
• Explain FCPL policies and procedures to patrons and train patrons on the use of library resources
• Assist with the maintenance of the branch collection in an assigned area
• Working with the supervisor, assist in planning and implementing marketing activities and outreach activities that communicate the mission and goals of the library and the value of library products and services to the public, organizations, businesses and other community entities
• Actively seek out and engage in opportunities to promote the library in the community
• Establish and maintain working relationships and partnerships with community businesses, organizations, groups and schools, including outreach and programming
• Prepare displays and develop programs to promote reading and other library services
• Recommend materials for acquisition and/or withdrawal
• Provide customer service at front desk, including check-in and check-out of materials
• Participate in department, branch and system-wide work teams
• Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
• May perform duties as a passport acceptance agent, to include executing passport applications
• May perform duties as a notary public, to include witnessing the signing of documents and verifying their authenticity.
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

Qualifications and Requirements

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university
• 1 year customer service work experience working directly with the public

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Ability to obtain and maintain library associate certification from the Maryland State Library Agency plus willingness and ability to attend training sessions as applicable
• May require the ability to become certified as a passport acceptance agent from the U.S. Department of State within 180 days of hire and maintain certification
• Working knowledge of public library practices and procedures
• Knowledge of research techniques and available research materials, as well as general readers' interest, authors, books and other formats of library materials
• Knowledge of standard computer applications and devices including tablets/mobile devices, software applications, and downloadable e-format materials
• Knowledge of age appropriate literature, development stages, and interests
• Working knowledge of social media tools and techniques, and ability to effectively communicate in an online environment to engage customers via social media
• Ability to develop and conduct age appropriate programs, events and activities and perform effectively in front of patrons of all ages
• Ability to effectively access and utilize FCPL's computerized systems and the Internet, and to effectively provide related instruction for patrons
• Ability to learn and integrate emerging technologies and STEM-related educational tools in programming
• Ability to create and market high-quality programming in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
• Ability to effectively organize work, problem solve, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and effectively manage time in a busy environment
• Ability to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, positive attitude and good judgment
• Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with patrons, co-workers and the general public
• Ability to effectively build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, businesses, schools and similar entities
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills
• May require the ability to become a certified notary for the state of Maryland within 90 days of hire.

Preference may be given for: