North Somerset (On-Site)
Contract, Part time
Level 4:- £25,584 - £27,269 per annum, pro rata
21
About Us
North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.
The Role
Do you thrive on providing excellent customer service? Do you enjoy working with the whole community? Are you passionate about the role of libraries in our vision for “an open, fairer and greener North Somerset”?
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, well organized and enthusiastic individual to join our busy team of staff and volunteers.
The post is for 21 hours a week: a fixed term role for 12 months.
The hours are worked on a two-week cycle:
Week 1: Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 10-4, Friday 9-5
Week 2: Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 10-4, Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-1
You will be working across 2 branch libraries: Portishead and Pill. After a period of induction, you will be expected to work regular shifts on your own at Pill Library. Although Portishead will be your base, from time to time you will provide district cover so you must be able to reach other North Somerset libraries. You will be ready to deal with the physical demands of the job, including stock handling and floor walking.
You will have excellent customer care skills, including the ability to deal with unexpected and challenging situations. You will be passionate about supporting digital inclusion. Library work experience, although desirable, is not essential.
You will have an interest in reading, literacy and culture and a willingness to promote stock and library services through creative displays and customer interaction.
You will be supporting customer access to books and information, including council services, dealing with customer enquiries, and signposting where necessary. IT and digital skills are essential as you will be using a Library Management System as well as Microsoft Office. You may be troubleshooting yourself and will be helping customers struggling to get on in our digital world.
We have an extensive calendar of activities and events including Rhymetime, Storytime, school visits, author events, library tours, family learning and digital support. You will be leading some of these so you will be expected to deliver to small groups.
Portishead Library is a modern building, staffed from Tuesday to Saturday, with Extended Access, a form of self-service which extends the hours from 8.00am to 8pm 7 days a week. It is a popular and vibrant library with a dedicated and experienced staff team. There is a meeting room available for hire.
Pill Library is a shared site with Pill Children’s Centre, staffed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings. Although small, Pill has a thriving event and activity program, including Rhyme time, Lego Club and Code Club.
A detailed job family specification can be found in the application pack. If you haven’t visited a library in a while, we’d encourage you to do so before applying and check out what we have to offer at www.librarieswest.org.uk and www.n-somerset.gov.uk
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
What We Offer
At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Flexible working arrangements
- Local Government Pension
- Opportunities for professional development
- Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
- Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
- Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
- Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.
How to Apply
If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact Portishead and Pill Library Group supervisors Julia Deacon at julia.deacon@n-somerset.co.uk or 01934 426803 and Samantha Chandler at samantha.chandler@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01934 426040
Important Information
As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.
Interview Date: Thursday 03 July 2025.
Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.
Equal Opportunities
At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.