Category/Classification: Administrative Staff – Non-Exempt, Salary Range $16.42/hour to $25.56/hour

Reports to: Associate Director of Public Relations

General Summary

Under general direction, the Administrative Assistant of Public Relations performs secretarial, administrative, and public relations tasks as assigned by the Associate Director of Public Relations. Performs various administrative tasks dealing primarily with the production, duplication and distribution of program and public relations materials.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility is to act as assistant to the Associate Director of Public Relations; handling correspondence, typing evaluations, and monthly reports, interacting with staff and in general providing support in all aspects of the work of the Associate Director of Public Relations.
• Prepares news releases by gathering information and writing stories.
• Distributes news releases to media and enters library events into the library’s web page calendar.
• Participates in planning and setting up displays and exhibits that relate and promote library materials to events and/or current topics of interest.
• Performs extensive research on the internet and other sources to search for items and ideas to use in displays.
• Responsible for maintaining the library’s mailing lists and processes all mail labels for invitations to programs.
• Produces all public relations correspondence, i.e. thank you letters for book/program/monetary donations; distributes memos and other communications to staff as directed by the Associate Director of Public Relations.
• Designs posters for book displays and as directed
• Assists in maintaining departmental files
• Photographs library events as assigned.
• Assists in running the Duplo machine as needed.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned

Education, Experience, and Training

• High School graduate or equivalence, and business school courses, in combination with library work experience in jobs contributing to an understanding of overall library procedures and practices.
• Word processing and database skills required; arts and crafts skills desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of operating computer using word processing, database, graphic, and e-mail software.
• Knowledge and ability to write press releases.
• Knowledge of: Rules of English grammar and punctuation. Contemporary forms for letters, statistical recording, etc. How to operate a still camera. Print production processes
• Skilled in communicating both orally and in writing. Using a computer to create and revise documents. Organizing information and attention to detail.
• Ability to write and edit copy about library resources and activities.
• Ability to coordinate exhibits and displays with library specific themes.
• Ability to effectively read and understand information contained in procedure manuals, reports, etc.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing trends in library services and technology
• Ability and knowledge to operate copier, laminator and other office and production equipment.

Physical and Mental Requirements

List the physical demands that are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential function of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently sitting simultaneously using hand, wrist and fingers;
• Occasional standing, walking, stooping, bending, squatting, reaching overhead or in front of body
• On occasion kneeling, crouching, twisting, climbing ladders and stairs
• Conveying up to 10 pounds and on occasion up to 50 pounds. Maximum weight lifted to hip height: 20 pounds, to shoulder height or above shoulders: 10 pounds. Maximum weight lifted and carried without assistance: 20 pounds.
• Frequently talking and hearing ordinary conversation in person or by phone in a quiet but sometimes noisy environment.

The requirements given above are not intended as exclusive standards for this position. Additionally, the duties and responsibilities listed are meant to be illustrative of the nature of the position and do not include all tasks that may be necessary to this job function. Further, individuals may be required to work in other areas and at different functions that those described in accord with changing needs of the library.