Media Assistant

Asheville City Schools Job Description

Title: Media Assistant

Location: Asheville High School

Contact: Matt.Whiteside@acsgmail.net or Derek.Edwards@acsgmail.net

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

To work closely with the media specialists to provide support for the media specialist in the instruction of students. Technology skills required. A wide variety of tasks are performed to support the media specialist in the teaching-learning process for students. The work is performed under the supervision of the media specialist and/or principal.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Nature of Work: An employee in this class performs routine tasks in the areas of materials and hardware acquisition, file and records management, and circulation. Clerical responsibilities include tasks related to ordering, receipt, maintenance, inventory, and production of instructional materials. The employee also provides ongoing support to teachers and students (K-12) using resources in the school library media center. When working directly with users, the media assistant must be able to respond effectively to their needs.

The employee provides hardware and software support to users of computer workstations in the school library media center. Tasks include minor troubleshooting problems such as logging on to computer systems or software printing malfunctions, or routine error messages. In some cases, the employee will research appropriate manuals to find answers. If standard techniques do not resolve the situation, the employee will seek assistance form the appropriate technical professional.

The employee may assist in the development of instructional materials and make purchase recommendations. The media assistant carries out all tasks under the direction of the professional members of the school library media staff, reporting, as appropriate, to designated professionals and administrators.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

CLERICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assume general clerical responsibilities

• Compile statistics

• Order and process print and non-print materials

• Maintain inventory of and order supplies

• Circulate print and non-print materials

• Perform other clerical duties and assigned

TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the online catalog

• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on equipment

• Maintain the school library media center collection

• Provide timely resolution of computer problems by providing assistance or referral

• Perform other technical support responsibilities as assigned

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist students and staff with location and use of materials and equipment

• Prepare displays

• Schedule use of and deliver materials and equipment

• Assist with the preparation of bibliographies and pathfinders

• Perform other instructional support responsibilities as assigned

• Works with the media specialist to support the instructional plan of the media specialist.

• Gives group instruction as prescribed by the media specialist.

• Under supervision of the media specialist, works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the media specialists.

• Gives individualized instruction to pupils under media specialist supervision.

• Maintains confidentially in matters pertaining to the student(s) and the school.

• Serves in place of the media specialist when requested by the administration.

• Reorganizes materials at the end of the day/period.

• Serves as proctor during testing.

• Attends workshops as requested by the administration.

• Maintains media automation programs as instructed by media specialist.

• Distributes and collects instructional materials.

• Enters data in student records for automation system.

• Supervises students in the media center and other locations.

• Teaches citizenship, social skills and respect for others.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Competency in basic clerical procedures such as filing, sorting, organizing, and shelving

• Competency in maintaining records, inventory, and accounting

• General knowledge of computers

• Competency with word processing and other basic office applications

• General knowledge of information technology devices

• General knowledge of software packages utilized in the school library media center

• Competency in online searching

• Ability to communicate with users to determine the nature of assistance needed

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

• Ability to solve independently most minor problems

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school, and a 2 or 4 year college degree; or 48 hours of college credit; with preference for specialized training/or experience in education or such alternatives to these as may be found appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to sit, stand, walk and drive. Must be able to lift boxes up to 10 pounds. Physical demand requirements are for Light Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read simple forms. Requires the ability to prepare time sheets and supply requisitions using prescribed format.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add, subtract, divide and multiply.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using computers and other technology.

Manual Dexterity: Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors or shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under average levels of stress.