LIBRARY CIRCULATION SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

Both full-time and part-time Library Circulation Services Representative positions are available at the Central Library and at the twelve branch locations throughout the City of Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is committed to providing the highest quality of service to internal and external customers. In meeting this commitment, employees are knowledgeable, competent, dependable and courteous in the performance of their job responsibilities and work cooperatively as part of a team.  

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Library Circulation Service Representative performs a variety of duties associated with circulating physical library materials and assisting the public. These duties include materials processing, responding to face-to-face and telephone inquiries, troubleshooting Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and equipment issues, and helping patrons understand their self-service options.

Customer Service

• Staff customer service desks, charging and discharging library materials.
• Assist the public with their patron accounts.
• Collect fines and fees, including handling cash and using Virtual Merchant for credit card payments and refunds.
• Respond to general inquiries over the phone and in-person regarding directions, events, and library services; transfer calls to appropriate staff members.
• Assist the public with library card registration, including online self-registration and the reporting and replacement of lost cards.
• Assist the public with self-service resources, including self-checkout, pick-up of holds, e‑commerce, library card registration, photocopiers, printers, personal computers, CountyCat, and operating audiovisual (AV) equipment.

Materials Processing and Presentation:

• Verify, sort, and shelve materials from returns desk, book drops, sorters, room use, and acquisitions; assist with the discarding of unwanted materials.
• Troubleshoot RFID tag issues related to the checkout of library materials.
• Process materials to and from delivery.
• Read shelves to maintain proper order; shift and straighten collections.
• Retrieve materials to fill hold requests, for weeding, or for inventory purposes.
• Prepare materials for repair.

Operations:

• Assist with library opening and closing procedures, register voters, process new supplies, sort and deliver mail and materials, create manual fines and process cash transactions, perform photocopying and faxing, update patron records, and run reports.
• At Central location only: Perform photocopying and faxing of orders placed through Ditto and at the Periodical Service Desk; serve as a relief operator.

Training:

• Assist in the training of other personnel, and consult with Library Services Coordinator or Library Circulation Services Coordinator regarding performance issues.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008

• Work rotating shifts, including day, evening, and weekend hours, as assigned.
• Supply emergency help at other MPL libraries as requested.
• Lift and move items weighing up to 20 pounds; push and pull wheeled conveyances weighing up to 100 pounds. · Work in small spaces, in dusty work conditions, and around noisy equipment at times.
• Adhere to the MPL dress code policy.

NOTE: Part-time Library Circulation Service Representatives work a maximum of 19 hours per week. Flexibility in scheduling – including days, evenings and weekend hours – is expected.

1. Two years of experience performing customer service or paraprofessional functions closely related to the essential functions listed above.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. For example, an associate degree in a related field such as business, information technology, or liberal arts from an accredited college may be considered equivalent.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Technical:

• Ability to read and understand work-related documents in English, such as policies and procedures, books, and periodicals.
• Ability to follow instructions and library policies.
• Ability to precisely sort information alphabetically and numerically.
• Knowledge of cash and credit card handling practices.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics to assist in performing monetary transactions and compiling reports.
• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot circulation issues for patrons.
• Data entry skills and basic proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, email, and the Internet.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.

Communication, Interpersonal, and Customer Service:

• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse supervisors, coworkers, and library users of various cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds, ages, and literacy levels.
• Written communication skills to effectively document information on patron accounts.
• Verbal communication skills to effectively assist library patrons and positively represent the library.
• Ability to work well both independently and as a contributing team member.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with coworkers and patrons whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

Organizational and Professionalism:

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise discretion, use good judgment, and maintain patron confidentiality.
• Ability to perform paraprofessional work accurately and rapidly.
• Problem-solving skills to be able to effectively evaluate and make decisions to resolve problems.
• Honesty, integrity, and the ability to safeguard library materials and equipment.

The current salary range (Pay Range 5DN) is $40,094- $45,543 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $41,297-$46,909.

Part-time appointees are not eligible for benefits.

Full-time appointees are eligible for the City of Milwaukee’s comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit: http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

The Written Examination will be held March 13 and 14, 2024 (subject to change).

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202

EEO Code 501