Library Clerk - Entry

Important Note: This recruitment will only be used to fill vacancies in the Tahoe areas.  This recruitment will not be used to fill vacancies in the South Placer and Auburn areas.  If interested in South Placer/Auburn assignments, please apply for the South Placer/Auburn area Library Clerk - Entry recruitment, which is recruitment number 2016-12602-01.

If you are interested in applying for both Library Clerk - Entry recruitments (South Placer/Auburn area and Tahoe), you will need to apply for both recruitments, however, you will only need to take one written examination. Human Resources will contact applicants that apply for both recruitments to schedule a preferred location to take one written examination. 

The Placer County Library is seeking self-motivated individuals with outstanding customer service skills to assist patrons at branches in the Tahoe area. Flexibility is encouraged as schedules vary.  The Library currently has a vacancy for a permanent, part-time assignment. The eligible list established from this recruitment may also be used for future vacancies, either extra-help or permanent, in the Tahoe area. 

To perform a variety of clerical duties and sub-professional library tasks related to the functions and programs of the library; assist the public in finding and checking in and out library materials; and to order and maintain books, magazines and other library materials used by the public.

This is the entry level class in the Library Clerk series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  The Library Clerk - Entry class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the journey level.  Incumbents work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.

Receives immediate supervision from supervisory or professional staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Check library materials in and out; maintain circulation and patron database; prepare materials for circulation. 
• Shelve library materials and review library shelves for proper order.
• Process catalog and otherwise prepare new materials for circulation following established procedures. 
• Compute, collect, receipt and record monies collected for overdue, lost or damaged materials.
• Assist customers in using library services and in understanding the arrangement and location of library materials.
• Answer telephone and in-person inquiries, use available indexes and catalog systems.
• Register new borrowers and issue library cards; enter customer requests for materials.
• Select and order new materials; maintain collection including weeding shelves of outdated materials and performing skilled mending; maintain and monitor budget for new orders.
• May oversee a branch library, open and close library facility and train and oversee library aides, pages, and volunteers when assigned.
• Establish, maintain and compile statistics on library activities and materials used.
• Perform general clerical duties as necessary and operate library related office equipment.
• Keep library neat and clean.
• Set up and maintain displays.
• Conduct various special activities such as story hours, summer reading programs, classroom visits and various outreach functions.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: No library experience is required.  Familiarity with library operations is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• General purpose and typical content of modern public libraries.
• Office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment including filing and computer systems.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• English usage and spelling.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.
• Principles and practices of customer service and reception techniques.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently bend, twist, kneel or squat while shelving, opening boxes, or moving equipment; twist and reach office equipment; see and read print; write and use keyboard to communicate and to enter circulation and collection data; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; lift moderate weight.
• Intermittently, review documents related to library operations; observe, identify and problem solve library operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain library policies and procedures.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interviews; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruptions.
• Work weekend and evening shifts as assigned.
• Use automated library system, computer, internet, calculator, typewriter, telephone, facsimile machine, photocopy machine, and other library related equipment.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Written Examination (100%) 

The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met. Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at:

http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. Important Note: These benefits do not apply to Temporary/Extra Help positions.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

11/07/2016 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
11/08/2016 - Conviction Questionnaires Sent
11/11/2016 - Conviction Questionnaires Due Back
12/01/2016 - Written Examination
Week of December 5th - Eligible List Established