Temporary Library Assistant, Medical

Job Summary 
             

This position is responsible to the Associate Dean of Learning Resources to fill in when regular staff are not available due to illness or emergency. Primary focus will be substituting for the Library Assistant, Medical during night (4:30pm – midnight) and weekend (9am – 4:30pm or 4:30 pm – midnight) shifts. Provides customer service and information about the library and its resources, aids visitors in the use of the library, and provides for basic needs such as making pots of coffee or refilling printer paper. Securely opens and closes the library according to library hours and policies. No guaranteed minimum hours as the position is as-needed. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Familiarity with academic libraries or willingness to learn.

• Excellent customer service skills, including patience, helpfulness, and follow-up.

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn library information systems used for circulating materials and handling document delivery requests.

• Ability to effectively use common office technologies and programs, such as desktop PCs, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and email.

• With training, able to troubleshoot common library user technology issues, such as unjamming or filling paper in the printer, provide instructions on using the scanner, and help with mobile apps.

• Able to securely open and close the library as needed.

• Ability to reliably provide needed data such as entrance data, reference/service statistics, and document delivery/interlibrary loan data.

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about medical library information tools, including scientific journals, books, databases, and mobile apps.

• Pays attention to needs in the library, such as noticing and reporting items that need repair, making sure coffee is supplied throughout the day, and reporting when certain supplies are running low. Alerts the appropriate personnel.

• Able to prioritize assignments from various areas of the library; seeks help when needed to determine priorities.

• Able to remain calm and follow procedures during stressful situations, such as in weather emergencies or with difficult individuals.

• Able to assist library team members with various tasks throughout the library as directed.

Required Qualifications 

• At least two (2) years of college coursework.

• One year in general library work or relevant customer service.

• Personal computer knowledge. 

• Knowledge of medical and scientific journal titles and the ability to understand bibliographic data. 

• Must be able to effectively organize and prioritize work and adhere to quality control standards. Supervisory experience helpful.

• Good oral communication and the ability to work independently and effectively under pressure. Experience in a library interlibrary loan service is desired.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree and/or experience in the relevant field.

• Library-specific training in customer service and circulation is preferred  

Physical Demands (as needed) 

• Able to lift light items like copier paper packs, full coffee pot, etc. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Hourly rate - $20 per hour

Application Instructions 

• Non-exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of five (5) calendar days. 

• Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check.

• Please attach the following: Cover Letter and Resume.

*This is an onsite position

*This position does not have funding available for visa sponsorship.

University Overview (as needed) 

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution's mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement. 

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations