Library Assistant

GLL is currently recruiting for a Library Assistant to join the team at HMP Parc Library, working 24 hours per week. As a Library Assistant you will be working in a variety of 3 on site busy prisoner libraries, giving access to a wide variety of collections and resources including books, computers and reference. HM Prison Parc is a Category B men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution in Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. It is operated by G4S, and is the only privately operated prison in Wales.  The prison houses around 1800 prisoners. Prisoners use our libraries for a number of reasons. We have a selection of legal books and papers that our prisoners use to help them understand their sentences as well as the standard books that you’d find in a public library. We have a heavy focus on education as many of the prisoners have literacy problems or just want to learn something new such as a second language, but whatever the reason, the books are a welcome diversion from prison life. You will be visiting prisoners of all ages and backgrounds on their housing units. The job involves some lone working and working alongside security cleared prisoners to deliver the service. You will adapt and acknowledge the diversity of the customers and their requirements.   As a Library Assistant, you will have to do the usual tasks associated with the role, such as providing an information service to our users, but due to the unique location of the library, there is far more to this role than expected. Although challenging, this is a highly-rewarding role where you’ll get to see the prisoners change and grow from the services and support that you’d provide alongside other departments such as Education and Resettlement. This isn’t a role for the timid, as you’ll need to maintain control and gravitas at all times as well as being vigilant. A can-do attitude is a must, as is common sense, as you’ll do everything from assessing the suitability of the books that the prisoners request, to ensuring that all doors are locked behind you whenever you move about the building as well as some heavy lifting.   In this role, you'll adapt to, and acknowledge, the diversity of our customers and their requirements.   What you need: *        Experience working within libraries or a customer facing role *        Confident IT skills and knowledge *        Excellent numeracy, literacy and communications skills *        A real focus on customer service. *        Passion and personality *        Be a great team player   What you’ll do:   *        Work as part of the team to ensure the smooth operation of the library *        Provide a warm welcome and genuine goodbye to all customers, providing guidance and support on how to get the optimum results from their visit by truly engaging with customers to understand the reason behind their visit *        Support customers with IT *        Support library activities *        Fully participate in and engage in the any training provided.   As a leader within the leisure industry, we can also offer scope to progress your career, and job variety like nowhere else.   In return, you will get: • A 24 hour part time position with a salary of £22,525.78 (36 hours a week, pro rata'd to 24) • Discounted membership at our leisure centres • Discounts across thousands of retailers (GLL Extras) • A fantastic pension scheme • 25% off Red Letter Days • 25% off Buy a Gift • 20% off GLL spa experience treatments and associated products. • 20% off Tea and Tonic products • Free eye tests and discounted glasses • The opportunity to join the GLL Society and have a say in how we are run plus associated social events • Exclusive discounts on our villas in Portugal • Exclusive discounts on our Ski chalets in Bulgaria • Health assurance • Career pathways, professional development are just the start. To ensure you stay at the top of your game, we provide training with practical and theory elements too. About GLL:   As the UK’s largest leisure operator and charitable social enterprise, we offer a range of careers for everyone in our local communities. We manage over 400 facilities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including public sport and leisure centres, elite sporting venues, libraries and children’s centres.   Our people are from the communities we serve and help us make real changes in their local area.   One of our core values is ‘More than a Job’, because working with us opens up a wide range of possibilities and opportunities for you, starting with how you work with us. To make sure we’re having a positive impact on our people, we also offer some flexible and part-time working options so you can make sure your new job works for you. Subject to vacancies, whether you are after a contractual commitment and a regular work schedule or the freedom of flexible hours, you may be able to choose an arrangement that works best for you and play your part in improving the health and wellbeing of your community.   We offer two different types of work arrangements: • A permanent employment contract - part time and full time • A flexible worker engagement by joining our flexible worker pool   If you are looking for a regular number of hours that you can work and are flexible to meet the needs of a 7 day a week service, then a full-time or part-time permanent contract might be the right choice for you.   So, whether your ambitions lie in sport and leisure, events & catering, health & beauty, corporate support or working with children, you’ll be able to find your ideal new job at GLL.   Passionate about seeing our communities thrive, we invest back into our facilities, projects and people and are Investors in People Silver Award employer.   However you choose to work with us, you can be sure that you will be a valued member of our team, working with great colleagues, and making a real difference to people’s lives.   We are an inclusive employer. We seek and welcome diversity in our teams.   All pay rates are subject to skills, experience, qualifications and location.