• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: 1199 Clerical
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Sundays: 11 am-7 pm; Mondays through Thursdays: 8:45 am - 4:45 pm
• Salary Range: $25.60 - $25.60 per hour entry rate ($26.13 - $26.13 per hour minimum rate)

Position Summary

Columbia University Libraries is currently seeking applicants for the position of Library Assistant V for the Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences Libraries (SESSL). SESSL is a division of seven libraries located on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses, focusing on research support for and collections in the natural & social sciences, business, journalism, social work, and professional studies.

The Library Assistant V will handle daily patron request fulfillment, provide access and information services, and will be responsible for closing library locations in the evenings. The incumbent will mainly work in the Science & Engineering Library, but will be cross-trained to work in all SESSL locations on the Morningside campus.

Responsibilities

• Oversees SESSL location service desks.
• Monitors and assists patrons with entry as needed.
• Answers directional, informational and front line reference questions from patrons and refers patrons to supervisory or professional staff according to guidelines.
• Performs opening and closing routines.
• Performs all routine circulation transactions, as well as daily workflow processing and request fulfillment including Reserves, ILL, Borrow Direct, Scan & Deliver, Intercampus Delivery, and Pick-Up Service requests.
• Performs technical services tasks (i.e. journal check-in, binding, preservation, collection maintenance) as assigned.
• Assigns, revises, and trains student General Assistants in shelving and shelf reading, as well as report back to supervisor on GA performance. 
• Provides front line technology assistance for users, including assisting patrons with printing and scanning equipment. 
• Monitors stacks, shelving, and shelf reading daily.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and/or its equivalent and six months’ relevant experience required.
• Strong customer service skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work with computers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to respond to customer–service inquires via email, telephone, and in–person.
• Ability to recognize needs and prioritize identified tasks.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of colleagues and library users.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working in a library preferred.
• Experience working in customer service preferred.
• Knowledge of an integrated library system (ILS) highly preferred.
• Knowledge of Windows OS, Microsoft Office Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and familiarity with Mac OS preferred.
• Familiarity with searching online databases highly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.