Benchmark Job Description

BENCHMARK JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB FAMILY: LIBRARY (Library Assistant)

LEVEL: A

JOB ID: 01LA

GRADE: Grade 2

LEVEL DESCRIPTION

All duties will be carried out within recognised procedures or guidelines.

May include ad hoc duties that require some initiative.

There will be some need to interpret information and solve straightforward problems.

Exchanges information, both orally and in writing, with staff and pupils.

Problems will be referred to the line manager.

May be required to demonstrate duties or give guidance to others.

INTRODUCTION

The level description gives an overview of the level of competence required to carry out work at this level.

Each school is organised differently, and the range of duties carried out at this level will be different in each school. Some jobs may carry out a diverse range of duties whilst others may be engaged on a narrower range of tasks.

The next section of this benchmark job description will give examples of the types of work that may be carried out at this level. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to give a flavour to help schools to assimilate jobs to the appropriate level.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AT THIS LEVEL

·  Check issue and return of books

·  Inputting data

·  Covering and repair of books

·  Assisting with displays

·  Completing orders for books and checking deliveries

·  Supervising pupils’ use of library

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria / Essential to basic performanceofjob / Required for fully competent performance of job /
Knowledge:
Technical or specialist / ·  Interest in libraries / ·  Knowledge of book classification and school equipment
Literacy and numeracy / ·  Ability to read and understand written instructions / ·  GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths
·  Basic numeracy skills
Organisational / ·  Support for school ethos / ·  Knowledge of school policy and procedures.
Mental Skills:
Research / ·  Able to prepare routine statistical information / ·  Able to do basic research for projects
Problem solving / ·  Able to resolve straight forward problems and judge when to report more complex issues
Thinking creatively / Developing new ideas / ·  Assist with displays in library
Interpersonal & Communications Skills:
Advising / guiding skills / ·  Provide advice to library users
Verbal and written communications skills (including use of languages) / ·  Good verbal skills required when helping library users / ·  Able to supervise small groups of pupils
Physical skills:
Keyboard skills / use of mouse / ·  Keyboard skills
Criteria / Essential to basic performanceofjob / Required for fully competent performance of job /
Other manual skills / ·  Ability to handle books, often in quantities, and to be able to stretch and bend to select and shelve books as necessary
Other attributes:
Level of autonomy / ·  Work carried out in accordance with written policy and procedures
·  Advice and support available most of the time

EVALUATION NOTES

KNOWLEDGE

·  Interest in libraries

·  Knowledge of cataloguing system in use can be acquired in post

MENTAL SKILLS

·  Ability to identify and resolve straight forward problems, e.g. whether a requested book in on loan already

·  Ability to identify and pass on more complex queries to another member of staff

INTERPERSONNEL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

·  Ability to communicate effectively with pupils and staff

PHYSICAL SKILLS

·  Ability to use keyboard and mouse, if required

INITIATIVE AND INDEPENDENCE

·  Majority of the work is covered by procedure

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

·  Lifting boxes of books and shelving books

MENTAL DEMANDS

·  Concentration required when data inputting, filing or answering simple enquiries

·  Must be alert to needs of pupils

EMOTIONAL DEMANDS

·  Minimal exposure to emotional demands

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE

·  The post holder assists in providing a front line service to library users. This will require an awareness of own customer care skills

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISION (EMPLOYEES)

·  None

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES

·  Accept and record overdue payments

·  Check deliveries

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PHYSICAL RESOURCES

·  Share responsibility for library resources and records

WORKING CONDITIONS

·  Works in the library

01LA Library level A (Library Assistant) - 1 -