Collections management project support assistant

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Job title: Collections Management Project Assistant

The Collections Management Project Assistant (CMPA) is a student worker position which sees to the collections management needs of the Grinnell College Libraries. CMPAs report directly to the Manager of Access Services and/or the assigned project manager. This position will assist library staff in large-scale shifting, relocation, organizing, and cleaning tasks. Student workers in this position will be trained on the organizational systems of the library to ensure correct placement of all materials as projects are completed. At times a physically demanding position, the CMPA performs duties which directly contribute to the Libraries' smooth operational standards and successful project implementation as changes are made to the organization of the Libraries' collection.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Duties as assigned by project lead, including:

• Shifting, hauling, and carting items between locations (Burling Library, Kistle Science Library, Offsite Storage facility)
• Pulling listed items for recycling and/or relocation
• Completing cleaning and other maintenance tasks as needed

Qualifications

Qualifications and Professional Development:

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong spatial reasoning skills (perception/visualization/rotation)
• Ability to perform multi-step, detail-oriented tasks accurately and efficiently

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This position requires the ability to work effectively with a small, tight-knit team. Communication skills, and the ability to understand and implement directions, are imperative. Tolerance for long, repetitive, and, at times, physically demanding tasks is also beneficial.

Specific Skills Acquired/Developed:

• Organizational literacy and efficiency
• Teamwork and independent labor
• Basic library organizational system knowledge

Transferrable Skills:

• Ability to understand and complete large-scale organizational tasks
• Planning and operational skills
• Library organizational and maintenance experience

Location:

Burling Library (with projects occurring at other locations)

Schedule:

Approximately 7-10 hours weekly; full-time work during breaks (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)

Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

Physical

• Use of hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms
• Lift up to 25 pounds; move up to 100 pounds with assisted device
• Climb ladders and maintain balance to shelve and pull items
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds overhead
• Ability to traverse entirety of library
• Close reading vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)

Cognitive

• Accurate organization
• Collaboration with a small team
• Adjusting to changes in workplace environment and location
• Tolerance for repetitive tasks
• Coordination and communication with team leaders
• Maintaining attention to single tasks for extended periods of time