Library Lead Clerk (Promotional)

The Alameda County Library is looking to hire Library Lead Clerks.  The list created from this list will be used to hire for this position and any future positions that arise. 

The Alameda County Library in the San Francisco Bay Area provides library services from ten branch libraries in the cities of Albany, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Union City and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. Outreach services are provided through the Bookmobile, the Literacy Program, the Senior Outreach Program, and the County Jails.

For more information on the Alameda County Library, please visit: http://www.aclibrary.org/

THIS IS A PROMOTIONAL EXAM - YOU MUST BE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO APPLY
Current employment and completion by (12/3/12), of the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes the District Attorney’s Office, the Medical Center, and the Superior Court).  A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments.

Under general supervision, to provide lead supervision and assignment coordination for clerical library support functions in a public library, and to perform a variety of clerical support and circulation duties of moderate difficulty.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a specialized clerical class. Incumbents in this class perform library-specific clerical and support functions and, in addition, are responsible for making decisions regarding the assignment and review of the work of the circulation operation at a public library. The Library Lead Clerk is distinguished from the higher level Library Circulation Supervisor I/II/III class in that the Library Circulation Supervisor I/II/III has full responsibility for supervision, coordination and direction of all circulation and clerical support functions in a public library. It differs from lower level clerical positions in the Library by its lead responsibilities, and by handling more difficult patron contacts, policy interpretation, and billing problems.

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience (1,950 hours) in the class of Library Clerk II in the Alameda County classified service (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office and Hospital Authority.)

Or II

The equivalent of two years of full time experience in a position comparable to Alameda County’s Library Clerk II classification. Possession of a certificate from a Library Technology Assistant or Library Technology Program may be substituted for one year’s experience. Public library experience preferred.

Special Requirements:

Incumbents in this classification are required to work evenings and weekends.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Library services, principles, practices, procedures, and terminology.
• Filing and shelving materials (including the Dewey Decimal Classification System), use of online catalogues and other computerized library files.
• Principles and methods of leadership.
• Principles of good public relations.
• Modern office practices and procedures including business correspondence, filing, and standard office equipment operation.
• Computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheet.

Ability to:

• Understand and follow complex oral and written directions.
• Apply judgment, discretion, and initiative in performing moderately difficult clerical and computerized circulation system work in interpreting library rules, and in resolving policy/procedure/billing disputes.
• Prioritize, schedule, assign and review the work of the circulation staff.
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with library users and library staff, both orally and in writing.
• Establish effective, harmonious working relationships with library users and library staff.
• Reconcile cash received from fines and fees.
• Perform physically demanding work; stoop, bend and push and stand for long periods of time.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented, proactive individual with:

• A proven track record of consistently providing excellent customer service.
• A history of effectively leading staff to successful outcomes.
• A superior command of both written and oral communication with experience interacting with various levels of management and publics, while concurrently demonstrating diplomacy, politeness and tact.
• A demonstrated ability to resolve conflict and use interpersonal skills.
• A strong ability to be adaptable to changing situations and environments, with the capability to problem solve and organize effectively.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

11/07/12 Examination Recruitment Bulletin Release

On 11/07/12 the examination recruitment bulletin will be released. 

12/03/12 Final File Date for Applications

At 5:00pm on 12/03/12 the online system will no longer accept your application.  No late applications will be accepted, so please submit your application early.  No changes, subtractions or additions can be made to the application or supplemental questionnaire after you submit them.

12/03/12 - 12/10/12 Review of Applications & Supplemental Questionnaire

Review for Minimum Qualifications

During this time, your application will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above.  If you fail to meet the minimum qualifications, you will be notified via email.  If you do meet the minimum qualifications, you will move on to have your supplemental application reviewed.

Review of Supplemental Questionnaire

If you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, a review of your supplemental questionnaire will be conducted.  It is imperative that you are diligent and thorough when completing your supplemental questionnaire.  The information that you provide will be used to weigh your experience against other competitors, and only the best qualified candidates will be invited to the next round of the examination.  If you are not deemed best qualified, you will be notified via email.

Week of 1/07/13 Panel Interview Examinations

Those candidates who are deemed best qualified will be invited to a panel interview where they will be asked about past job experiences relating to the core competencies that successful incumbents of the job possess.  The panel interview may contain a situational exercise.  The candidates who pass this portion of the exam will then be scored and put into rank order.  Those candidates in the top five ranks are eligible for employment.  The panel interview examination may also serve as the hiring interview at the discretion of the hiring manager.  The dates listed above are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the department.

We reserve the right to make changes to the selection plan.

Please Note:  This is an new, open assembled examination. 

The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request an accommodation due to a disability during this or other phases of the selection process, please contact the Human Resource Services Department at (510) 272-6472 before the final filing deadline. Alameda County Human Resources Services will require documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a permanent disability pursuant to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's statute of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended, and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) Act.

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

 

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

 

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act systems. The County’s retirement is based on one’s age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County’s portion vesting after five years of employment.
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.