Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE 

Working under occasional supervision, the Library Assistant 4 operates as a library specialist within the Knowledge and Creativity Commons. Work is subject to review within guidelines. Advanced knowledge of functional area policies and procedures is expected at this level with the ability to take responsibility for the unit in the absence of more senior staff. The library assistant 4 supervises students; hires, schedules, and trains staff and temporary employees; and manages workflows and oversees technical processing for interlibrary loan services.

This role requires availability during daytime and weekdays, specifically from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00pm. Must be flexible to adjust the work schedule to accommodate changes in operational hours, including evenings, weekends, over university breaks, summers, and holidays to fulfill staffing requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Student Employee Oversight: Supervise the work of assigned library and student staff. Hire, schedule, and train student staff, prepare performance evaluations, and monitor and approve student staff time worked to comply with university policy. Work collaboratively with the Evening Student Supervisor to encourage consistency in supervisory practices. (30%)
Knowledge and Creativity Commons: Provide first-contact customer service at all physical and online service points within the Commons, including: training and maintenance of equipment, knowledge of collections and access within the physical stacks and the online catalog, general reference assistance, knowledge of the Freedman Center equipment and digital services, oversight of spaces, referrals, and directional assistance. (25%)
Opening/Closing Procedures: This position typically opens KSL for business. While the position's consistent schedule is daytime/weekday, there will be times that this person's schedule will shift to accommodate planned vacation and sick leave across the team. Supervisors will provide (to the best of their ability) advance notice when scheduling changes are required. Scheduling adjustments will not exceed the typical 37.5-hour work week unless otherwise approved by a supervisor. Responsible for all level one service center activities, including: staff supervision and scheduling, first-contact customer service support, problem resolution, payment management, and all facility and safety issues. The LA4 is responsible for the area in the absence of more senior level staff. (25%)
Alumni contact: Serve as the point of contact for CWRU Alumni Services for questions relating to library services and resources available to alumni. This may include creating accounts, corresponding with and supporting users, providing basic reference, and collaborating with other departments to ensure user access. (7%)
Professional development and engagement, including service on committees and working groups and attending learning sessions, maintaining awareness of current trends and developments in the field. (6%)
Contributes to and maintains a work culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging. Recommend, implement, evaluate, and ensure adherence to customer services operating policies and procedures, adjust, as needed, to ensure effective and efficient operations; maintain written record of same. (6%)
 

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS 

Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with library staff in all KSL teams to maintain workflow (46-65%). 

University: Frequent contact with faculty and staff and/or staff of other campus libraries primarily in reference to cataloging queries and other customer services (46-65%).

External: Frequent contact with vendors in resolving departmental specific issues (46-65%).

Students: Frequent and direct contact both with student staff and student patrons to address concerns/ problems and/or use and interpret established procedures (46-65%).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Will monitor performance of student employees and assist with the direct training of students.

QUALIFICAITONS

Education/Experience: High school education with 4 years of related experience; OR Associate¿s degree and 1 year of experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Ability to learn in detail a wide variety of constantly evolving policies concerning information resources at Case Western Reserve University libraries.
Familiarity with interlibrary loan services, automated library systems and management software, library bibliographic systems and library catalogs, computers (Windows or Mac, including basic software applications such as Word), email, and internet navigation/search skills.
Ability to handle and assume responsibility for details and multiple projects in an organized manner. 
Strong interpersonal skills that demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in a culturally diverse environment, convey policies or technical concepts to laypersons of varying skill levels under academic pressures, and to create clear process training and policy documentation.
Ability to exercise good judgment in situations that warrant individual interpretation of policies and procedures, prioritize tasks, and delegate as needed. 
Ability to supervise the work of others and effectively collaborate with other staff members to achieve optimum service levels. 
Ability to be proactive, flexible, and creative in an evolving and dynamic environment.
Ability to work independently balanced with an ability to take direction from others.
Ability to maintain a consistent work schedule that is also flexible based on the organization¿s needs. 
Ability to work in and contribute to an environment of inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office/library environment. While the standard schedule for this position is Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00pm, flexibility and availability to cover operational hours outside the normal schedule, including evenings and weekends, are required to ensure continuous support and effective management of the library¿s services.