Job description

Job title: Enquiries and Library Assistant

Responsible to: Information Services Manager

Location: Royal Commission Offices, Penglais Road, Aberystwyth, SY23 3BU.

Grade: Team Support Band

Pay scale: £17,200 per annum rising to £21,500 in three annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance. (Appointment will be at the minimum of the pay scale)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Type of Contract: Permanent

Job Purpose and Significance of Role

As a contributor to the organisation’s public services activities, the Enquiries and Library Assistant will play an important role in helping the Royal Commission meet its strategic objective of making available the archive and library holdings of the National Monuments Record of Wales. This includes assisting in-person and remote users of the enquiry service and contributing to the running of the National Monuments Record of Wales specialist public library.

Key Tasks

1.  Search the National Monument of Wales archive record holdings, library, and digital datasets in order to assist in answering a broad range of written or in-person enquiries within set timeframes.

2.  Carry out support duties for the public enquiry system including logging requests and associated information.

3.  Retrieve records from the National Monument of Wales archive and return and file records when finished with.

4.  Assist in the cataloguing of books and journals and other general library duties.

5.  Undertake general filing and sorting duties for the library and public enquiries including the checking, shelving and ensuring the correct ordering and location of journals, books and maps is maintained.

6.  Staff the public search room and deal appropriately and professionally with public visitors and group visits, and invigilate the use of the archive records and other Commission information.

7.  Be the first point of contact for in-person visitors and telephone enquirers when necessary.

8.  Undertake appropriate project, outreach work, and any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as may be reasonably requested and/or agreed by the line manager.

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they meet the following criteria (divided into essential and desirable):

Nationality
Essential criteria
Be permitted to work in the UK by being a UK National, a British Protected Person, an Irish or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the European Economic Area.
Qualifications/Level of Education
Essential criteria
GCSE, or equivalent at grade C or above in English and Maths.
Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject such as Library Studies, Archaeology, Welsh History etc
Experience
Essential criteria
Have experience of working in a library or archive environment and be able to demonstrate a keen and genuine interest in working with the public.
Demonstrate good ICT skills, especially in the use of Microsoft Office, email and the internet.
Have experience in using databases
Demonstrate the ability to deal with customers face-to-face, over the telephone, on-line or via email, promptly, calmly, effectively and courteously.
Have experience and show evidence of working under pressure to set deadlines.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
Be able to prioritise, plan and deliver own work activities without the need for close supervision.
Be able to work methodically and flexibly, particularly when conflicting priorities arise.
Have good written and verbal communication skills in both Welsh and English including the ability to write and edit text with accuracy and with a close attention to detail.
Working Language
Essential criteria
The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is essential for this customer-facing post.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
Demonstrate a strong commitment to effective customer service and understand the importance of this to a public information organisation.
Have evidence of working effectively as part of a team, providing support to other team members when necessary.
Be able to demonstrate an interest in the heritage of Wales.
Demonstrate a commitment to providing services bilingually.
Desirable criteria
Have previous experience of working within the framework of a Welsh language policy and/or Welsh language standards and/or in a bilingual workplace.
Special working requirements
Be physically capable of moving to and from the archive stores and reading room continuously throughout the day.
Be able to lift and move boxes and manoeuvre loaded trolleys, following health and safety guidelines and standards.

Indicative timetable

Shortlisting will take place on 18 July 2017.

Interviews will be held in Aberystwyth on 15 August 2017

For an informal discussion about this post please contact: Penny Icke, Information Services Manager. Telephone 01970 621210 or email

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