Senior Library Assistant

Qualifications: Citizenship Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Character Each candidate must be of good character.

Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training, and Experience Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: (i) have a good general level of education, (ii) have had at least two years satisfactory experience of library work.

In addition, the following is a list of desirable attributes and skills: • Strong customer service skills • Strong verbal, written communication, organisational and supervisory skills • Energetic and enthusiastic with strong commitment to the needs of the community • High level of IT proficiency, digital and social media • Strong interest in working with children and young adults and proficiency with children’s and young adult literature and programming • Ability to work under pressure in a cross functional environment and to tight timelines • Ability to foster and maintain productive working relationships, both internally and externally in the organisation.

Duties: The duties shall be such as may be assigned to the officer from time to time by the local authority and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required, and such duties as may be assigned from time to time. These include but are not limited to the following: • Front-line library service duties • Overseeing and delivering excellent service to the public • Liaising with community & education groups • Co-ordinating and contributing to event programme delivery e.g. book clubs, storytelling, class visits, community events and exhibitions • Contributing to publicity and promotional activities • Operating existing and future IT systems – word processing, spreadsheets, databases, library systems, email and internet • Assisting the public in using the public internet, self service facilities and other Library I.T. equipment • Supervision of relevant staff attendance • Participation in library Health & Safety requirements • Any other duties that may be assigned as part of the overall functioning of the Library Department. These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

Persons employed will be required to work in any location within the Tipperary County Council administrative area. Salary: Current Salary Scale: €33,760 - €52,773 (2nd LSI) (Assistant Staff Officer Analagous) The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The employee shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or received by him/her by virtue of his/her employment or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under anyenactment to perform. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point (currently €33,760).

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory. Under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013, the working hours for newly appointed/promoted staff are 35 hours per week. All posts will be offered on the basis of the candidate working wholetime.

Probation: Where a person who is not already a permanent officer of Tipperary County Council is appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect, during which such person shall hold office on probation; (b) such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may, at his or her discretion extend such a period. (c) such a person shall cease to hold office at the end of the period of probation, unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person is satisfactory.

Superannuation: The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply. Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority as follows: 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children). Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

Retirement Age There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy. The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years. The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which they have been assigned.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position. Hours of Work: The normal working hours are 70 hours per fortnight (branch staff work a 6-day/4-day fortnightly pattern). The working hours are from MONDAY - SATURDAY, with LATE EVENING SHIFTS. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Tipperary County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

Annual Leave: The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Residence: The succesful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Drivers Licence: Tipperary County Council employees may on occasion be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport. It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Tipperary County Council with the indeminty specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

Code of Conduct/Organisational Policies: Employees are be required to adhere to all current and future Tipperary County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Training: Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Location of assignment/appointment: Tipperary County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

Commencement: Tipperary County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month (subject to notice requirements) and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Tipperary County Council shall not appoint them.

Reporting Arrangements: Senior Library Assistants report directly to the appropriate supervisor in the Section or to any other employee of Tipperary County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Health & Safety: Tipperary County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk. Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training. Tipperary County Council operates under ISO 45001 accreditation. All employees are required to co-operate with the implementation of any and all measures necessary to achieve and sustain same.