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JCFPL JOB TITLE: Library Associate
LOCATION: Earl Morgan Branch
REPORTS TO: Branch Manager
CIVIL SERVICE JOB TITLE: Library Associate
SALARY RANGE: $50,869 - $54,427 per year
FULL-TIME/PART-TIME: Full-Time
WORKWEEK: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (scheduled 35 hours/week). May be required to work evenings and weekends as needed.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 20, 2026
BENEFIT SUMMARY: This summary outlines the general benefits available to library employees, designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits available to Full-Time Employees: Medical coverage 60 days from the first day of employment, Prescription coverage is the first of the month following 60 days of employment at no cost to the employee and additional cost per each dependent added. Dental coverage is provided at no cost 60 days after the first day of employment. Vision coverage is provided at no cost and reimbursed at $250.00 per year. Additional Full-Time benefits include Life & AD&D insurance, 403b, Participation in pension plan (dependent on age at the time of hire date). Part-Time Employee benefits include participation in pension plan and sick/vacation leave. A more detailed summary can be found on our Employment Opportunities page located at www.jclibrary.org
JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, with ten locations and growing, and a collection comprising over 2.5 million print and digital items. Our staff of nearly 120 dedicated individuals serves the residents, students, and workers of Jersey City: the largest city in Hudson County, N.J., and the second-largest city in New Jersey.
The staff of JCFPL reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Jersey City, which is consistently ranked as the most diverse community in the United States. Collectively, our staff speaks over 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Gujarati, Marathi, Igbo, Portuguese, and others.
JCFPL is committed to building on our strong foundation and expanding our ability to meet the needs of Jersey City's growing and increasingly diverse community.
About This Position:
Develop and deliver library programs for all ages, create displays and promotional materials, and support outreach through collaboration with internal teams and community partners. Provide public service at the Earl Morgan Branch by assisting patrons with reference, readers' advisory, circulation tasks using SIRSI, and materials selection, while modeling excellent customer service and teaching library skills. Contribute to projects, share program information with Communications, stay current with library and educational trends, and perform other duties as assigned; requires matriculation in a Library Master's degree program (MLS, MLIS, or MIS).
JOB DUTIES:
• Develop and present library programming for all ages; create displays and informational materials to highlight book collections or services; collaborate with Engagement department on outreach programs; ability to build relationships with local organizations to support library goals
• Assist patrons at the circulation desk or with technology; answer reference questions; conduct readers' advisory; perform circulation tasks using SIRSI; assist in material selection
• Plan, develop, and implement library programs at the library and/or off-site; share program information with Communications team, including photos, blurbs, booklists, etc.
• Contribute to tasks and projects; track and review work progress and activities;
• Promote good customer service, including some public speaking involving tours and teaching library skills to small groups; effectively handle patron complaints; develop and maintain a positive, helpful and professional approach to the overall community as well as individual library customers
• Network and collaborate with Outreach Services, educational entities, City departments, and other service agencies to promote services, activities, and goals of the library; attend meetings and serve on committees as needed; stay up to date on trends and innovations in the fields of library and educational services.
• Perform other duties as assigned
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Communication/Collaboration

• Communicates effectively using a variety of methods
• Effectively communicates relevant and timely information to appropriate stakeholders
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with others to achieve common goals
• Works effectively on teams with strong team-building skills and attitudes
• Applies effective strategies to manage organizational politics, conflict and difficult coworker behaviors
• Communicates effectively with a variety of audiences and individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Selects and applies the most appropriate and effective communication means to meet situational needs

Customer Service

• Contributes to and models customer service standards that enhance the user experience
• Models standards and practices for the delivery of quality internal and external customer service
• Applies customer service skills to enhance the level of user satisfaction
• Applies effective techniques to address difficult situations with users and staff
• Understands and acts in accordance with the basic values and ethics of library service

Professional Development

• Manages the development of one's own learning and ongoing improvement of skills and knowledge
• Uses creative and innovative approaches
• Establishes strategies and long-range initiatives to create a learning environment within the division and the library
• Plans for and supports staff career development opportunities
• Contributes to the development and implementation of a culture that embraces ongoing learning

Community Engagement

• Demonstrates the impact and value of the library to the community through ongoing evaluation and assessment of library services
• Maintains positive public relations through communication and promotion of the library's values, services, accomplishments and needs to all stakeholders
• Builds relationships and support for the library with community organizations
• Contributes to creating a welcoming and user-friendly physical environment that encourages all community members to use library services

Technology

• Performs basic functions of email, calendar applications, and task management
• Understands and uses basic computer hardware, peripherals, software, and operating system functions
• Demonstrates information literacy and understands common security protocols related to Internet use

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Ability to demonstrate a practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools such as ILS (Integrated Library Systems), shelving arrangements, Dewey Decimal Classification System, and successful completion of relevant manager training within the organization.
• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT SKILLS:

• Preference given to applicants currently earning a Master's degree in Library or Information Science from a library program accredited by the American Library Association or from a New Jersey college Master's program in Library Science that has been deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison College.
• Ability to manage and administer a library program.
• Knowledge of Jersey City's population, geography, and/or local government.
• Facility in a non-English language spoken in Jersey City (such as Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Tagalog, etc.)

NOTES:
For all employees, regardless of full-time or part-time status, JCFPL is considered the primary employer. Work hours are assigned according to the Library's operational needs. Work hours are not scheduled to accommodate employees' other employment, academic, or other outside obligations, except in circumstances agreed upon in writing by the employee and the employee's supervisor.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of
activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the employee for this job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
This vacancy is associated with a New Jersey Civil Service job title. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission requires all incumbents to possess and be prepared to verify the minimum experience and skills required for the associated Civil Service job title.
This position is subject to residency requirements as set forth in the New Jersey First Act and not available for work visa sponsorship.