Library Associate - Lee County, FL : Job Details

Salary: $19.23 - $37.21 Hourly Location : Fort Myers, FL Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 07296KG Department: Library System Opening Date: 10/01/2024 Closing Date: 10/22/2024 11:59 PM Eastern DescriptionThe expected hiring salary for this position is $38,835 to $45,911, with the final offer based on skills, experience, and internal equity. The Lee County Library System is offering enthusiastic and community-minded candidates who are committed to public library service the opportunity to become part of the team in the Telephone and Virtual Reference Services Department, located at the Fort Myers Regional Library. Telephone and Virtual Reference is a public library service that meets every patron of the Lee County Library System who chooses to go to the library by phone, live chat, text, or email. Telephone and Virtual Reference staff answer general reference, informational, and instructional questions as well as manage patrons' accounts and circulation requests. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, team-oriented, dedicated, and customer service driven with an excellent capacity to retain new information and a strong commitment to providing excellent service while relating positively to a diverse population through a variety of contact points. Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing prompt and courteous customer service to patrons of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Answering general reference, informational, and instructional questions via telephone and virtually using chat, text, and email applications.
• Utilizing print and electronic resources to provide information and answers to patron inquiries.
• Providing general library information and performing routine circulation functions.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of an informational database used by library system staff.
• Assisting library patrons with reference and readers' advisory questions using both print and virtual materials.
• Assisting library patrons with the use of electronic resources.
• Assisting library patrons in using and troubleshooting library resources accessed on personal electronic devices.
• Collect and manage department statistics.
• Remaining educated and up to date on current library trends.
• Assisting in Lee County Library System outreach opportunities

Education, Experience, LicensingMinimum Requirements

• Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate's Degree or specialized courses/training equivalent to satisfactory completion.
• Two years of customer service experience.
• Possession of a Florida Driver's License is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably with major coursework in library science, English, communications, or related field.
• Six months experience in a library or related field.
• Ability to speak, write, and understand Spanish.
• One year of public library experience.

Supplemental Information

• Communication Skills: A clear, distinct speaking voice and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing, with correct spelling and grammar.
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet searching.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a small room.
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to changes in workflow and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, pressured environment.
• Personal Qualities: Patience, resilience, creative problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and broad general knowledge.
• Customer Service: Strong background in customer service, with the ability to deliver exemplary service by phone, live chat, text, or email.
• Technical Familiarity: Familiarity with e-readers and tablets is strongly preferred.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to bend, stretch, sit, and stand for long periods, and lift and carry objects up to 35 lbs.
• Flexibility: The County may require temporary or long-term transfers to other library locations to meet business needs.
• Work Schedule: This position requires 80 hours bi-weekly, with varying hours and days, including evenings, Saturdays, and some Sundays.

Benefits Include:

• Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Disability Insurance: Both short-term and long-term options
• Life Insurance: Including Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Financial Planning: Flexible Spending Accounts for both medical and dependent care
• Support Programs: Access to our Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 11 paid holidays, along with generous vacation and sick leave
• Recognition and Appreciation: Through our employee appreciation and peer recognition programs
• Professional Development: Take advantage of numerous employee development opportunities

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply. Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive, and affordable benefits package. Our Board works in the best interest of employees and strives to provide the most complete, high-quality benefits package available at the lowest possible cost to the employee. Our Board continues to remain steadfast in maintaining one of the lowest levels of employee costs in our area. Lee County's benefits package is offered to both regular Full-time positions and Part-time positions that are regularly scheduled to work 60 hours or more bi-weekly. Medical benefits may be offered to On-Call, Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern employees who meet the Affordable Care Act eligibility criteria. Lee County employees eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) are required to contribute 3% of each paycheck to FRS. If you have retired from the Florida Retirement Pension plan you will not be eligible for renewed membership in either of the FRS retirement plan options. Retirees of the Investment Plan are eligible for renewed membership in the Investment Plan only. FRS reemployment rules apply for both. Below is a brief breakdown of what's included in the benefits package that is offered to our employees. For a more detailed look into our benefits package, please click visit our webpage at To view our employee paid premiums, please visit: Health Benefits: •Medical Insurance •Plans include, but are not limited to: routine, preventative, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription drug benefits. •Vision, Fitness, Weight Management, Natural Products and Services, and Hearing discount programs available. •Dental Insurance •Vision Insurance •Flexible Spending Accounts •Medical Reimbursement Account •Dependent Care Reimbursement Account •Pharmacy, including Mail-Order Pharmacy •Informed Health Lines (Nurse Hotline) •Basic Life Insurance (1x or 2x Annual Salary at no cost to employee) •Optional Life Insurance •Long-Term Disability (60% of pre-disability salary at no cost to employee) •Short-Term Disability •Sick Leave Pool •Flu vaccinations •Wellness Programs Financial Benefits: •Florida Retirement System (FRS) •Two Retirement Plan Options: 1) FRS Pension Plan (Defined Benefit) 2) FRS Investment Plan (Defined Contribution) •Deferred Compensation (457) Plans •Financial Savings/Management Programs •Eligible for membership with Suncoast Credit Union •Employee Leave Benefits •Holiday Pay - 11 Paid Holidays Annually •Paid Sick Leave •Paid Vacation Leave •Bereavement & Civic Duty Leave •Family and Medical Leave •Military Family & Medical Leave •Educational Leave Employee Assistance Program Services available to employees that offers guidance, support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential and provided at no charge to employees and their dependents. United Way 2-1-1 (Lee County Employee Resource Program) Lee County BOCC has partnered with United Way 211 to provide an Employee Resource Program which assists BoCC employees who may be experiencing distress due to economic hardship, health or other factors. Educational Assistance Reimbursement for coursework taken at an accredited college or university that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the official duties that the employees perform. 01 Do you have a combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate's Degree orspecialized courses/training equivalent to satisfactory completion of two years of college and two yearscustomer service experience?

• Yes
• No

02 If you answered Yes to the question above, please describe the experiences that you feel best prepare you for this position. If this does not apply to you, respond with N/A. 03 Do you have experience in providing customer service via phone, live chat, text, or email?

• Yes
• No

04 If you answered Yes to the question above, please describe the clientele you assisted and the technology you used to provide service. If this does not apply to you, respond with N/A. 05 Please indicate your years of experience working in a library.

• No Experience
• Less than 1 Year
• More than 1 Year

06 Did you graduate from a four-year college or university with major coursework in library science, English, communications, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

Required Question