Library Specialist

Posting Type: Open and Closed Competitive

Work Type: Full Time

Nature of Work: This is paraprofessional library work performing skilled library duties and providing customer services. The employee in this position works both independently and as part of a team with guidance from a supervisor.

Education and Experience: The knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through, but are not limited to, the following combination of education and/or experience. Two years of college level education AND six months of experience working in a library

Special Qualifications: Must register for Nebraska Public Librarian Certification through the Nebraska Library Commission within 30 days of the hiring date. Must complete necessary continuing education requirements to keep certification current while employed by the Omaha Public Library. If assigned to operate library vehicles to transport materials and attend events, must possess and maintain a valid class "O" automobile driver's license. Must be able to transport oneself or coordinate transportation to worksites throughout the City during the course of the workday. Must be able to work flexible schedules that include evenings and weekends. Fluency in other languages preferred.

Pay Range: $47,736.00 with step increases to $60,091.20 Annually

Benefits: Forty-hour work week. Paid leave per year: twelve days vacation; five days management; fifteen days sick; and fifteen holidays. Employee's group health insurance, including major medical, vision, and dental, for individual or family. Defined benefit pension plan, plus Social Security, and more. See hr.cityofomaha.org for detailed information.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility lists will be created for one Closed Competitive list and one Open Competitive list. Applicants for the Closed competitive lists must be a current or former City of Omaha employee in any of the following categories: Part-time, Seasonal, Classified, Unclassified, or Probationary, who has worked, at the time of application, at least 1,040 cumulative hours within the last 5 years and has been employed by the City at sometime within the last 18 months and who meets the qualifications as set forth in the posting. Applicants for the Open Competitive list shall be all other persons who meet the qualifications as set forth in the posting.

How to Apply: Completed City of Omaha employment applications must be submitted using the online application from the City website. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to check and ensure that any and all required application materials and supplemental forms are received by the City of Omaha Human Resources Department by the stated deadline. You may confirm receipt of any materials and forms by contacting the Human Resources Department. If the materials are not received in the Human Resources Department by the stated deadline, they will not be considered. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Examination Information: The examination will consist of a training and experience form designed to assess job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. The training and experience form will be given to candidates once their application has been received, reviewed by a recruiter, and accepted to test for the position. The form must be completed and returned to the Human Resources Department by December 14, 2026 (passing score 60%). Final eligibility list will be the training and experience form weighted 100%.

Veteran Points: To claim five (5) points for veteran's preference, you must submit proof of service (such as a DD-214) that includes the date of induction, date of honorable separation, and Social Security number. (You must have completed more than 180 consecutive days of active duty.) To receive an additional five (5) points credit for disability, you must submit proof of eligibility from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs dated within the last 12 months. This information must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by December 14, 2026.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Knowledge of, and ability to operate, computers and other technology using standard or customized computer or systems software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks.
* Knowledge of standard library principles, procedures, and services, and materials.
* Knowledge of library reference and resource tools.
* Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronics device technology and software.
* Ability to view printed text on book bindings to retrieve library materials.ers
* Ability to use tact and diplomacy.
* Ability to maintain patron confidentiality.
* Ability to use library principles, methods, and techniques in collection, development, cataloging, classification, circulation, programming, staff development, and reference services.
* Ability to use and explain the functions of library tools and facilities.
* Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public.
* Ability to understand oral or written instructions
* Ability to adhere to safety policies, procedures and guidelines
* Ability to stand, walk, and bend from 76 to 100% of the time; reach, stoop, squat, crouch and push from 51 to 75% of the time; and to climb, balance, kneel, crawl, pull and sit up to 25% of the time
* Ability to use up to fifty (50) pounds of force up to 33% of the time, up to twenty (20) pounds from 34 to 66% of the time, and up to ten (10) pounds of force from 67 to 100% of the time to move objects

Essential Functions: Any one position may not perform all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the duties that may be performed in positions allocated to this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

* Delivers excellent customer services to all library users, both internally and externally.
* Answers patrons' reference questions in person, over the telephone, and online by searching online catalogs, subscription databases, internet resources, and print materials.
* Assists library patrons in the use of the library's online and printed resources, library services, and library technology equipment and software.
* Creates new patron accounts and assist patrons with account questions and issues.
* Takes and processes payments, and may prepare monies for deposit.
* Advises readers by recommending authors, titles, and topics of interest.
* Delivers storytimes, programs, and tours, and other library-related activities for a variety of ages and community groups both inside and outside the library.
* Acts as a person-in-charge to assume responsibility for a branch in the absence of a supervisor.
* May operate library vehicles to transport materials and attend events.
* Performs front-line computer troubleshooting, such as helping customers with printer jams, printer selection, software functions, and free e-mail services, and reports problems to technology services if needed.
* Assists with duties to keep materials readily available to the public and the library welcoming and accessible.
* Under supervision, creates and maintains materials displays and assists in the coordination of displays to ensure community appeal
* Creates content via online and print methods for staff development needs; delivers new employee orientation and continuing education content as part of a team.
* Enters catalog data into the library online database so that materials may be searched and identified through the library automation system.
* Using library software and lists, assists in the deselection, selection and replacement of library materials
* Provides work direction to associate library specialists, clerical staff, library aides, and volunteers.
* Keeps informed of developing library practices and issues.
* Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor.
* Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification.

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or authorization to work without sponsorship. The City of Omaha reserves the right to conduct pre-employment inquiries or evaluations of candidates for employment as it deems appropriate for the particular position. Pre-employment inquiries may include, without limitation: verification of employment history and educational attainment; review of driving, credit, and criminal convictions; hearing, drug, functional capacity, psychological, vision, and medical tests; and/or any other relevant background information deemed appropriate to determine the suitability of the applicant for the position. Failure to provide the information requested in the application and hiring process in a truthful, timely, accurate, and complete manner may result in disqualification, revocation of a conditional offer of employment, or termination.

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Omaha does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need a disability-related accommodation during the job application or selection process, advise the Human Resources Department at least 48 hours prior to the need by emailing employment@cityofomaha.org.

For a complete description of this job classification, visit hr.cityofomaha.org

Contact Points:

City of Omaha Human Resources Department
1819 Farnam St, Suite 506
Omaha, NE 68183

Phone: (402) 444-5300
Fax: (402) 444-5314

Website: hr.cityofomaha.org
Email: employment@cityofomaha.org