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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Associate Storytime Substitute Mar. 2026 City of Port Townsend Job Description Library Associate Storytime Substitute Classification title: Library Associate Substitute Working title: Storytime Substitute Department: Community Services – Library Union: Non-Bargaining FLSA status: Non-exempt Wage Classification: 610 (step 1) Hours: Variable, may include evenings and weekends Effective date: Jan. 2022; Mar. 2025; Mar. 2026 Reports to: Library Manager Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY The Library Associate Substitute is a part-time (less than 20 hours per week) position. This position is to primarily to fill storytime substitute duties and has a youth services focus, with specific duties consisting of planning and implementing storytimes. This position may also assist with the annual Summer Reading Program, and other kid and teen programs in the library and community as needed. The Library Associate Substitute may also serve as a substitute and assist with other programming support, reference, and readers advisory. This position has no regular schedule and works hours as needed to fill in for regular staff absences and leaves or other unanticipated situations when extra help is needed. Hours may include evenings and weekends. Distinguished from Library Assistant Substitute position by its higher educational and prior library programming and\or teaching experience requirements. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  Courteously respond to patrons in person.  Assist patrons with reference and reader's advisory services, PTPL’s public catalog and available digital or electronic resources. Research resource materials to respond to patron needs; refer patrons to a Librarian or other resources, as needed.  May develop and present a variety of library programs.  Identify, report and address safety and security issues. Refer to appropriate authorities as needed.  May assist with designing and set-up displays, as assigned.  Knowledgeable about good customer service practices. Able to provide excellent library experience to patrons and colleagues by either helping them find materials, use library technology, learn about library programs, and understand city and library policies or directing them to regular library staff who can assist patrons with their information needs. SPECIAL AREAS OF FOCUS:  Youth Services o Under the general supervision of the Library Managers, assists with early literacy, special programming and outreach programs related to youth services. May perform other basic library functions including reference and readers advisory. o May assist Library Managers in planning and presenting programs for children from birth through age 18, both in and out of the library through library programs and library outreach. Library Associate Storytime Substitute o May assist Library Managers in planning and presenting the annual Summer Reading Program for all ages. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES  Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.  Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.  Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management, volunteers, elected officials, and patrons.  Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, the general public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.   Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.  Ability to establish positive working relationships, serve the public (e.g. adults, teens, children) courteously and work effectively and collaboratively with library staff.  Ability to assist patrons with current and emerging library technology, including digital media.  Ability to perform alphanumeric filing accurately and to learn and utilize the Dewey Decimal System.  Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.  Ability to use initiative and independent judgment in a wide variety of situations.  Ability to recognize and set priorities, plan, organize and coordinate own work.  Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.  Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.  Ability to work a schedule that may change periodically, including evenings and weekends. Willingness to being flexible to meet the needs of PTPL. QUALIFICATIONS Required  Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of four years of academic training beyond high school in a field compatible with library service, plus minimum of one year of work experience, related to the duties of the classification. Additional experience related to the duties of the position may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.  Must pass a criminal background check. LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS Listed below are shared expectations of all library employees:  Provide excellent customer service for patrons and co-workers  Acknowledge and support of City of Port Townsend’s Public Library’s principles of intellectual freedom  Knowledge and support of City of Port Townsend’s Public Library’s policies and procedures  Ability to work effectively within a team  Ability to adapt to rapidly changing information, technology, work procedures and Library services  Ability to maintain confidentiality in dealing with patron and/or employee records WORKING CONDITIONS While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to: Library Associate Storytime Substitute  (Continuous) seeing, talking, hearing, grasping, handling and manual dexterity.  (Frequent) walking, reaching, bending, standing, sitting, twisting, squatting, keyboarding and repetitive motion of hands/wrists.  (Occasional) climbing, kneeling, crouching, stooping, crawling and balancing.  Must be able to sort, unpack, lift and maneuver up to 25 pounds regularly and, occasionally, in excess of 50 pounds. Regularly requires the ability to push, pull and maneuver a loaded book cart (20 pounds of push/pull force) on a frequent basis over an extended period of time. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.