Employment Opportunity: Building Maintenance Worker-Housekeeping (Full-Time) — (Full Time)

Availability: Open until filled
Posted: October 29, 2024
Job Type: Full Time

Building Maintenance Worker-Housekeeping (Full-Time)

This position is responsible for helping to maintain an environment conducive to a pleasant library experience by performing a variety of semi-skilled building maintenance, repair, and monitoring tasks to assist in ensuring that furniture, equipment, and mechanical systems are in good working order, and that library premises are clean, welcoming, and safe for patrons and staff. Incumbents may work independently or assist Maintenance Mechanics, Cleaners, or Library Building Monitors in performing assigned duties with latitude for independent planning and work execution. Incumbents may act as crew leader on an as-needed basis. In addition, the work may involve operation of motor equipment and hand and power tools. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Working Supervisor. Supervision may be a responsibility of this position on an assigned basis. The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed, based on the particular assignment. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is
similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Building repair and maintenance duties

• Installs, uses, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs Library plumbing, electrical wiring and equipment, HVAC, doors and windows, hardware, and varied mechanical equipment and machinery
• Performs light carpentry and cosmetic work, including: installation of shelving, storage cabinets and new hardware; painting; light remodeling of offices and meeting rooms
• Inspects property routinely to ascertain repair needs, and estimates materials required for repairs
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment—may include Library-owned motor vehicles, air compressors, cleaning equipment, and other motorized equipment
• Repairs windows, doors, floors, walls, and other fixtures, finishes, and hardware
• Performs light masonry activities, including: mixing plaster and concrete; assisting in laying brick; plastering walls; finishing concrete work, etc.

Patron interaction and behavior monitoring duties

• Maintains high visibility by patrolling all areas of library building, parking lot, and access ways to help keep order, deter inappropriate behavior, and ensure a safe, comfortable, and reasonably quiet library environment
• Provides assistance to patrons, including: giving directions; referring inquiries to appropriate staff members; escorting patrons or staff members to cars in adjacent parking lots or spaces as requested; assisting people with disabilities as necessary, e.g., carrying books or materials to vehicle, opening doors, or providing other assistance needed
• May provide basic first aid and moral support to those requiring medical attention, until emergency first responders arrive
• Works with staff to monitor young children to ascertain the presence of a parent or caregiver, and contacts families of unattended children to be certain children leave safely
• Monitors for violations of the Patron Code of Conduct, including: advising patrons of behavior expectations; counseling patrons who have caused problems to avoid further action and possible loss of library privileges
• Performs crowd control duties for library programs or special events, and disperses groups if easy access to buildings or facilities is hindered
• Works closely with emergency services and law enforcement when necessary and in emergency situations, and keeps Person in Charge abreast of all emergency safety and security incidents and irregularities
• Receives and logs lost/found property (including currency and items of monetary value), monitors inventory, and safeguards items from receipt through final disposition (e.g., returning items to claimants, disposal, and/or transfer of items to law enforcement as appropriate)
• Prepares incident reports and establishes and maintains files on daily activities and administrative matters, and provides such reports as necessary to the Working Supervisor and/or Library Director

General/grounds keeping/housekeeping duties

• Locks and unlocks the building and designated offices and rooms; arms and disarms alarm systems; turns lights off and on;
• Moves furniture between buildings and meeting rooms
• Sets up rooms for meetings by arranging chairs and tables, adjusting lighting, setting up easels, and providing limited audio-visual equipment support
• Performs general grounds maintenance activities, including trash/brush removal, mowing lawns, and tending garden beds
• Performs housekeeping activities as needed, including: replenishing rest room soap and paper products; rubbish removal; spill cleanup; sweeping/vacuuming
• Participates in a general snow removal program, including at walkways and parking lot—may involve the use of a snow blower/snow thrower and/or snow plow/spreader
• Calls specialized cleaning contractor(s) as needed for emergency cleanup of potentially infectious materials (uncontained blood and bodily fluids)General/grounds keeping/housekeeping duties (continued)
• Requisitions building cleaning and maintenance supplies and equipment
• Receives and directs deliveries as needed
• Makes regular assigned rounds and routinely checks video security system, alarm system, lights, and equipment
• Manages storage of materials and records receipt of materials

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Good knowledge of: customer service methods, practices, and procedures; English spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Skilled in: customer service; conflict resolution; verbal, written, and interpersonal communication; problem-solving; exercising reasonable and independent judgment and discretion; semi-skilled building and grounds maintenance and repair practices; hand and power tools and equipment used in building maintenance and repair
• Ability to: understand and follow oral and written instructions; read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently enough to perform the essential functions of the position; read and interpret plans, blueprints and mechanical drawings; lift and use heavy power and hand tools and equipment; analyze problems in a logical and systematic manner; organize, manage and complete projects timely and efficiently; work well independently and as part of a team; express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; read and comprehend library policies and procedures; remain calm and composed in difficult situations; deal effectively with angry or distraught individuals; use computer applications or other automated systems such as word processing, e-mail, and database software; be flexible and efficiently handle competing priorities and tasks; work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, library patrons, and the general public; help plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of others
• Demonstrate: tact and courtesy in dealing with staff and public; empathy; adaptability to change; willingness to take on job challenges; reliability; attention to detail; strong commitment to intellectual freedom and patron privacy
• Physical condition commensurate with the duties of the position

WORK CONTEXT REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing or walking for prolonged periods
• Bending
• Sitting
• Regularly lifting objects up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally lifting objects up to 50 lbs.
• Telephone conversations and face-to-face interactions with library colleagues and patrons
• Ability to operate a personal computer in order to access and retrieve information
• Ability to perform work requiring considerable visual effort and concentration

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate’s Degree and ONE (1) YEAR of paid full-time experience in general building construction or maintenance work or a closely related field; OR
2. Graduation from a regionally accredited New York State registered trade and TWO (2) YEARS of full-time paid experience in general building construction or maintenance work or a closely related field; OR
3. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and THREE (3) YEARS of full-time paid experience in general building construction or maintenance work or a closely related field.

NOTE: Appointees must demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs involved in carrying out work responsibilities which may include travel to areas not served by public transportation

Hours are Monday-Thursday 7pm-2:30am and Friday 3pm-10:30pm

Starting pay is $38, 523, commensurate with experience.

Please remit a cover letter and completed SSPL Application for Employment to:
Saratoga Springs Public Library
Attention: Human Resources Manager
49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Springs Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. SSPL complies with all applicable federal and state laws and the rules and regulations of the Saratoga Springs Municipal Civil Service Commission. SSPL encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply.