Learning Space Assistant

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Learning Space Assistants act as the first point of contact for library customers either on Welcome or Information desks. Work at these desks could involve responding to customers’ library information and IT enquiries, dealing with borrower account issues, building access or booking enquiries. You will also take on a variety of tasks to support the service, such as helping customers to use the Library’s self‑service facilities, issuing requested items, or assisting with the work of the digital commons, plus tasks to support the circulation of library material to customers including the retrieval of items to fulfil customer requests, and the sorting and shelving of books according to the library classification system.

• Act as the first point of contact for library customers at desks, whilst out in the library spaces and at open day events. Respond to a large range of library information and IT queries.
• Support Library processes including:
  • Helping customers to use the Library self‑service facilities and dealing with overdue or invoiced books.
  • You will handle basic policy issues but refer more complex problems or queries to a more senior member of staff.
• Use the library management system and other data storage systems for a wide range of basic tasks to support enquiry and information services. Areas of work may include supporting memberships, allocating locker keys and the maintenance of customer records, for example resetting passwords.
• Manage and monitor the building space and oversee library site safety.
• Deal with any low level security issues, referring more serious problems on to the appropriate staff.
• Carry out general housekeeping inside and outside the building including:
  • Facilitating the movement of Library blue boxes to and from different sites.
  • Move/rearrange furniture as required.
  • Clear and secure the building when necessary.
  • Assist in the carrying out of User Experience research as required, in order to inform service development.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Essential – Application/interview: Experience of working in a customer facing environment including working at a customer information point, responding efficiently and effectively to a large range of enquiries.
• Essential – Application/interview: Able to act as the first point of contact in a busy face‑to‑face environment, managing conflicting priorities or demands.
• Essential – Application/interview: Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Windows and other Microsoft Office applications, library and enquiry management systems, database software, Google Apps and new technologies.
• Essential – Application/interview: Ability to interact with a variety of customers in a range of environments, showing good interpersonal skills and the use of a range of digital tools.
• Essential – Application/interview: Able to work effectively as part of a team, responding to changes in demand and volume across all library sites and at different times of the year.
• Essential – Application/interview: Experience of dealing with complex and sensitive queries, referring on to senior…