About the Job
Worthing is a vibrant and welcoming community hub library, conveniently situated in the town centre near the museum, town hall, and borough council offices.
The library houses registration and antenatal services, the FindItOut Centre, the Schools Library Service, and the Business and Intellectual Property Centre. Additionally, various rooms are available for hire, including a lecture theatre that can be reserved for Saturday weddings.
We are seeking a dedicated professional to serve as a subject matter expert in coordinating teams of library staff, managing often complex enquiries from the public, and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our libraries.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Library Manager and other senior library staff to passionately plan and deliver the service, and they may also find themselves engaged in inspiring county-wide projects and initiatives.
It’s not just about the books! We are looking for someone who understands the power of community and the importance of fostering a love for reading in people of all ages.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Maintain front-line service delivery to ensure a high standard of customer care.
- Apply knowledge of library policies and procedures to assist a diverse range of customers and colleagues.
- Coordinate medium-sized projects by utilising analytical and creative skills to develop effective solutions and strategies, such as organising staff or volunteer training.
- Supervise and coordinate teams of library assistants and volunteers across one or more locations.
- Provide support at the helpdesk as needed, handling and processing cash and card payments. Use WSCC credit cards to order equipment and supplies and manage order or invoice reconciliation.
The variety of our work means that no two days are the same. We get huge job satisfaction from helping everyone who comes through our doors, and you could too!
Required Qualifications and Skills- A-level qualification or equivalent, such as NVQ level, AS levels, apprenticeship, or proven experience demonstrating similar levels of numeracy and literacy.
- Experience supervising staff in a customer-facing or retail setting.
- Strong customer focus, delivering an effective and efficient level of service to a diverse group of residents.
- Excellent digital skills, enabling proficient use of and training staff in various library systems, including the library management system, self-service kiosks, and Microsoft Office software.
- Good interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage effectively with children, families, and customers of all ages.
- Excellent communication and customer service abilities to effectively engage with the public and serve as a reliable source of information, advice, and guidance.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
Rewards and Benefits
We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.
We think libraries are great places to work, where you can make a difference to local communities every day. Find out more about the variety that comes with working in a library and hear first-hand from some of our library staff here:Library Jobs - West Sussex
You will benefit from 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service (pro rata for part time) plus the opportunity to buy additional leave, an excellent local government pension scheme as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.
For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CPP01228.
For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk .
Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click apply below, upload your CV, and complete the application form, explaining how you meet the key skills in the attached job description and experience you can bring to the role. Please ensure all that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.
We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Struggling to apply? Book onto a Digital Support Session in a library near you to get help navigating our application form (subject to availability)
Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, satisfactory references, and a health check.
Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.
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Job Reference: CPP01228
