Job Introduction
Do you have a passion for reading, literacy, information and customer service? Are you looking for a unique and inspiring role?
We see our library roles as more of a vocation, because you’ll be part of a community of partners, providing a much-needed service to our library users. The library is crucial in supporting the wellbeing of those in prison and it helps to promote positive behaviours in those library users. So, the work you’ll do will have a real impact on people lives and the community.
HMPYOI Werrington is a male juvenile prison which has a team of one library assistant led by the Library Supervisor and is a well-used and valued resource within the Prison. The library is open daily Monday and Tuesday am and pm, Wednesday pm and evening, and on Saturday mornings. Prison library staff offer both outreach / wing based and main library service provision, supporting all prisoners with access to books, information & resources.
This 9 hour part-time post usually operates on a Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon and evening and every other Saturday morning. Shift patterns can be subject to change, including if the prison regime changes in the future.
If you’re someone who is eager to help, support and engage with library users and colleagues, and who would strive to make a difference then this could be the job for you.
Main Responsibility
The prison / custodial environment can be challenging but also extremely rewarding. Working in prison libraries is a vocational customer service role, that offers an opportunity to make a difference on a daily basis.
You will:
- provide and develop an essential service, encouraging and promoting creativity, literacy and reading for pleasure and learning.
- actively engage with library users, to support them in using their library space, service, activities and resources for their personal and professional development and benefit, both short and long term.
We aim to play a part in reducing re-offending and enabling prisoners in improving their prospects and situation whilst in custody and for a future on release in the community, linking with public libraries.
The Ideal Candidate
You’ll be:
- a positive and proactive person with great customer service skills and experience and a love of reading.
- have experience of on-the-job, first-hand customer-facing experience.
- confident and calm person with integrity, a strong work ethic
- able to work efficiently individually alone, and as a part of a team; with both the onsite library and prison team and within the county council library service.
- resilient, adapts well and positively to change and is a strategic and imaginative thinker.
Formal and informal personal and professional development and learning are a need and expectation, so would suit someone who is always keen to develop, diversify and learn for their own benefit and for the benefit of their role, team, service and customers.
You may be required to cover for colleagues at other times outside the set core-shifts of this post, and so would suit someone with the availability and flexibility to accommodate this. It would therefore be beneficial if you are happy and able to travel and hold a current, valid UK drivers license. You should consider your location and travel distance / costs before applying.
If you have any specific questions about this role that are not covered in the ad or JD, you may contact Sarah Cripps - sarah.cripps@staffordshire.gov.uk
Previous applicants need not apply.
Successful applicants will be invited to in-person interview at Werrington Prison, on a date to be confirmed.
The recruitment for this position is ongoing and so we reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closing date.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form. Checks including employment references, will be undertaken by the Prison / HMPPS and Staffordshire County Council.
