Library Associate

Modified: March 2, 2017 3:08pm

COUNTY OF ERIE - DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
invites applications for the position of:

Library Associate

#64-693 - Open Competitive (open to the public)

Salary: $28,296 - $35,071 Annually
Opening Date: March 2, 2017
Closing Date: March 22, 2017
Application fee: $20.00

Residence Requirements:

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There are four vacancies. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies in this title and any other title deemed appropriate by the Erie County Personnel Commissioner.

Examples of Duties:

Library Associate is responsible for day-to-day library operations and administrative tasks in a small to medium size library or performs direct public service at the main/central library;

implements and explains policies as set forth by the Library Board;

performs catalog searches;

assists patrons at public desks;

performs circulation, reserve and overdue functions;

troubleshoots patron problems involving independent judgment;

performs routine searches for patrons and directs complex reference questions to the Central Library;

may conduct programming for the public and staff;

develops preliminary budget information and statistical reports for higher level management;

maintains contracting library/city/department branch records;

operate office machinery such as photocopiers, computers and/or fax machines;

supervises, assigns and reviews the work of subordinate staff; assists with duties for subordinate classes.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

A.     Graduation with an Associate degree or successful completion of sixty semester credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two or four year college or university and two years of library experience which includes one year of library management/supervisory* (see Note 1.) experience; Or;

B.     Graduation from a high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four years of library experience which includes one year of library management/supervisory* (see Note 1.) experience; Or;

C.     An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.

All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

Notes:

NOTES: 1. *Supervision – Responsible direction and control of subordinate employees.  This involves the assignment of work, approval of work, training, evaluation and discipline of employees.  The supervisory aspects must be an integral part of the job, not incidental or occasional.   2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements. 3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Examination date:

April 29, 2017

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

March 22, 2017

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

 

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Fundamentals of working in a library

These questions are designed to evaluate the candidate's knowledge about the common terms and concepts used in various sections of a library (e.g. Circulation, Reference, Technical Processing, etc.); the procedures associated with shelving, storing, checking out and receiving library materials; and the proper methods of using equipment commonly found in a library and of handling, processing and storing library materials.

2. Name and number checking

These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.

3. Office record keeping

These questions test your ability to perform common office record keeping tasks. The test consists of two or more "sets" of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of data from several sources; scheduling; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

4. Public contact principles and practices

These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance, advice, and effective customer service in a courteous and professional manner. Questions will cover such topics as understanding and responding to people with diverse needs, perspectives, personalities, and levels of familiarity with agency operations, as well as acting in a way that both serves the public and reflects well on your agency.

5. Supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.