Working at the Poudre Libraries is about being part of a dynamic organization that is transforming the community and having fun along the way. You’ll be instrumental in helping our library customers connect to the ideas, information, and resources that spark their curiosity and support lifelong learning. More than 1 million people come through our doors each year and tens of thousands more access important library services online and through our outreach efforts, making the Library District – and its staff – an indispensable public resource. Come check us out!
SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants must apply online and submit a cover letter and resume.
Applicants will receive an email acknowledgment when the application has been successfully submitted. Completed applications will be forwarded to the hiring manager. Applicants who are selected for further testing or interviews will be contacted by someone on the hiring team to schedule. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
Post-offer background check & MVR required.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The library may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
JOB TITLE: Answer Center Technician
REPORTS TO: Answer Center Supervisor
DEPARTMENT: Answer Center
LOCATION: Webster House Administration Center
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Classified, Part-Time, 20 hours/week
BENEFITS: Classified Benefits Summary
HIRING RANGE: $18.24 - $21.88 per hour
JOB SUMMARY
As the Answer Center Technician, you will provide circulation, directional, and other general service assistance to library patrons of all ages over the phone and by email in a call center setting. You will be responsible for responding to patron contacts, clarifying and assessing patron needs, and answering patron questions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES + RESPONSIBLITIES
Including the following:
- Creates a welcoming environment for all customers and staff that fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion by seeking to understand, respect, and value individual differences.
- Demonstrates tactful and conscientious service to people of all ages, races, abilities, cultures, and genders.
- Answers inquiries and resolves a wide variety of patron questions predominantly by phone or email.
- Runs monthly reports to maintain accurate customer and item records and upkeep of system.
- Runs daily morning reports.
- Utilizes circulation system in order to place holds, renew books, check and update patron records, and other circulation functions.
- Utilizes various computer searching techniques to perform a variety of reference searches.
- Uses booking software to register patrons for programs, book meeting rooms, and other essential functions.
- Works with customers to resolve complaints and/or accounts that are in collections.
- Takes payments over the phone and processes incoming payments by check.
- Helps to maintain safety, security, and healthy environments in the library by monitoring the front door, granting visitors access to the building, and assisting visitors as needed.
- Responsible for greeting and directing visitors.
- Responsible for sorting incoming mail to mailboxes and/or delivering to staff in the building.
- Refers questions to the appropriate department as needed.
- Participates in the hiring process and helps train new employees that join the Answer Center team.
- Participates in library teams, committees, and other project-based groups.
- Stays current on Poudre Libraries policies, processes, procedures, events, and technologies required to perform work duties. Participates in training and continuing education as needed.
- May provide back-up support for other departments as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS + ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Must possess excellent customer service experience and skills, including deescalating difficult patrons and navigating occasional volatile situations.
- Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a diverse population, co-workers, and supervisor.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekdays, evenings, and weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- Knowledge of all circulation processes, procedures, and system functions.
- Basic knowledge of the principles of reference services, including reference tools and search approaches.
- Demonstrates ability to conduct reference interviews to determine specific informational requirements of patrons.
- Knowledge of Library E-Media and E-Resources and the ability to explain their use to patrons.
- Ability to troubleshoot questions with e-media, digital tools (including computers, tablets, and smartphones), digital files, and printing. Ability to direct customer to resources as needed.
- Ability to quickly pivot to answer varying degrees of questions that require a working knowledge of the entire library organization from entry up to administration, including emergency type situations and community resources.
- Above average computer skills and experience.
- Represents the Library District with tact and courtesy, showing the ability to think and act appropriately under pressure and time constraints.
- Ability to understand, interpret, and paraphrase patron questions in order to negotiate successful outcomes.
- Strong attention to details and record keeping skills.
- Ability to effectively resolve patron complaints and handle difficult situations involving patrons.
- Demonstrates tolerance, appropriate humor, and patience with patron interactions.
- Ability to make quality decisions and represent the library’s mission, vision, and values.
- Must be able to work as part of a team.
- Must be a self-starter and be able to work independently.
EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE
- High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- Minimum of two years of previous library, bookstore or customer service experience is required.
- Previous library circulation experience is desirable.
CERTIFICATES + LICENSES
None
LANGUAGE ABILITIES
- Ability to read, speak, and communicate in English fluently is required.
- Ability to read, speak, and communicate in Spanish fluently is desirable.
- Conversational ability in other languages is desirable.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT + PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed and/or required to:
- Work primarily in a call center environment.
- This job is primarily performed in-person at our Webster House Administration Center but may occasionally require working from home.
- Must be able to sit and/or stand at a computer station for several hours per shift.
- Continuous talking and hearing is required.
- Regularly sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Regularly reach, lift and move arms above shoulder level.
- Continuous and repetitive arm, hand, and eye movement.
- Moderate to loud noise levels.
- Travel to/from meetings and various locations.
- Work shifts vary and occur during all library operating hours.
Poudre Libraries will make reasonable accommodations for access to Library District services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6740 for assistance.
Poudre Libraries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age 40 years or older, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by law. For the purpose of this Library District policy “sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
This position is eligible for Classified benefits (prorated, if part-time).
Poudre Libraries creates opportunities and builds connections to strengthen our community.
Poudre River Public Library District was established in 2006 by voter approval. The District’s shared resources serve more than 2,010,000 people across a vast 1,800 square-mile region in northern Larimer County, Colorado. Anchored by three libraries in Fort Collins and a robust Outreach Department, the District is dedicated to matching diverse communities’ needs, interests, and priorities with exceptional opportunities for learning, intellectual stimulation, and personal enjoyment. In all its endeavors, the District aims to enrich the cultural, educational and economic life of the growing regional area which it serves.
