About the Department

The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking a friendly, detailed-oriented Public Service Associate (19 hours/ week) to join the Public Library at both the Downtown and NEW Busse location. These roles involves assisting library patrons, supporting circulation services, and promoting an inviting and engaging library experience. The ideal candidates have a passion for public service, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to life learning.

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community’s diverse backgrounds and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here!

About the Position
Assists patrons in the use of the library by delivering outstanding service in all areas, including organizing and shelving library materials.
Works under general supervision and exercises discretion in carrying out work assignments within boundaries of established policy and procedure.

Position Duties

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Greets patrons and provides proactive customer service
Assists patrons with library account maintenance (check out, placing holds, fines, etc.)
Provides patrons with general reference information or guides to appropriate staff/resources
Maintains a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons (ie. Snow shoveling, trash removal, etc.)
Promotes library services, programs, and offerings
Shelves materials, handles holds, and shelf reads accurately
Interacts with automated materials handling systems
Provides Active Service on a regular basis to meet patron needs
Performs related work as assigned by supervisor or manager
Understands and supports core principles of equity, intellectual freedom, and privacy
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with city policies, procedures, and safety practices
Ability to work varying shifts including nights and weekends
Attends work regularly at the designated place and time

Minimum Qualifications

Acceptable Experience and Training:

1 year of customer service experience
High School Diploma or GED
An equivalent combination of experience, training, and certification may be considered for substitution.

Other Qualifications

Work Schedule

Downtown: Monday 8:30 – 2:30, Wednesday 2:15 – 8:15, Saturday 8:45 – 5:15
Ladd/Busse 1: Tuesday 4:15 – 8:15, Wednesday 4:45 – 8:15, Thursday 4:45 – 8:15, Saturday 8:45 – 5:15
Ladd/Busse 2: Monday 4:45 – 8:15, Tuesday 4:45 – 8:15, Wednesday 4:15 – 8:15, Rotating Friday/Saturday 8:45 – 5:15 (meaning 1 week Friday, next week Saturday, etc.)

Benefits

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

The City of Cedar Rapids provides outstanding pay, benefits, time off, including:

Medical co-insurance for participating providers of 90% plan / 10% employee
Competitive pay
Iowa Public Employee’s Retirement Pension plans (IPERS) with a 9.44% City contribution and 6.29% employee contribution
457 deferred compensation employer match program (City will match up to 0.05% of your annual income each calendar year—learn more here.)
Flexible Spending (Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts- learn more here)
An average of 11 paid holidays per year
Up to $3,000 per year in educational assistance
4 weeks of paid parental leave
Public Service Loan Forgiveness – (The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See more info here. )
Pay raises as determined by bargaining contract
100% City paid basic life insurance
Dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
View our Bargaining Benefits Summaries
Expansive job growth opportunities
Commitment to professional development
Private health & wellness coaching partnerships

Supplemental Questions

Which of the following best indicates your highest level of education?

I do not have a High School diploma or GED
High School diploma or GED
Some college (at least the equivalent of 1 year)
Associate's degree or vocational equivalent
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree or higher

How many years of experience do you have in Customer Service?

Less than 1 year of experience
At least 1 year of experience
At least 3 years of experience
At least 5 years of experience
At least 7 years of experience
At least 9 years of experience
More than 10 years of experience

Please share your customer service experience you have.

The library serves a wide range of diverse patrons. What specific populations are you most passionate about serving, and what experience do you have working with those groups?

Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office?

Beginner – Able to perform basic tasks such as creating simple documents, entering data, sending emails, and using basic formatting.
Intermediate – Comfortable with day-to-day use, including formatting documents, using basic formulas in Excel (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE), managing calendars, and creating standard presentations.
Proficient – Regularly uses Microsoft Office in a professional setting; able to create complex documents, use intermediate Excel functions (e.g., IF statements), and manage data efficiently.
Advanced – Highly skilled; able to use advanced Excel functions (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis tools), automate tasks, create polished reports/presentations, and troubleshoot issues.
Expert – Deep expertise across multiple Office applications; designs complex spreadsheets and reporting tools, uses advanced automation (e.g., macros), and may train or support others.

Which best describes your ideal library work environment?

A completely quiet space
A mostly quiet space
A somewhat interactive and engaged space
A very interactive and engaged space

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: City of Cedar Rapids
Address: 101 1st Street SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401
Phone: 319-286-5000
Website: http://www.cedar-rapids.org/