Job Description

Do you have experience of providing a high level of customer service?



Are you motivated by making a difference to communities?



Do you have great communication skills to help you be a trusted point of information and guidance when it matters most?



If so, we would love to hear from you!



West Sussex Library Service provides the library service at Ford Prison, funded by the Ministry of Justice. Our busy library at HMP Ford delivers a wide range of library services including a book, CD and DVD lending service and an enquiry service for prisoners and prison staff. It also provides access to newspapers, magazines, puzzles, and library activities including 'Raising Readers' and a 'Book Chat' session to promote literacy.

Salary:

15.33 to 15.58 per hour (If you are on a casual contract your annual leave will be included in the hourly pay.)

Contract Type:

Casual

Working Pattern:

Casual

Location:

Ford Prison Library Ford Rd, Ford, Arundel BN18 0BX

Interview Date:

Monday 9 February 2026



At West Sussex County Council, we promote flexible working, and a casual contract is a perfect fit for that!



What is a casual contract? A casual contract allows us, as the employer, to offer work as and when it becomes available. It does not always guarantee hours, so you are given the option to accept or deny assignments as determined by us.


About the Job


We are looking to recruit a Casual Senior Library Assistant who is passionate about the important role that libraries play in society to join our Prison Library Team and work effectively alongside a range of prison staff, prisoners, and colleagues across the Library Service.



You will have the confidence to work in a unique environment where you can really make a difference, the successful candidate will receive support from the Prison Library Manager and will respond to day-today library enquiries and provide support to a small team of Library Orderlies (recruited from the prison population).



The duties of a Casual Senior Library Assistant are wide ranging across many areas of the library service and include delivering a customer-facing library service and high-quality enquiry service.


Required Qualifications and Skills


4 GCSEs with 9-4 / A-C passes including Maths and English, or equivalent qualification/experience. European Computer Driving Licence or an equivalent qualification, or relevant experience demonstrating solid proficiency in digital systems and procedures. Experience working with the public and delivering a service that provides basic information, advice, and guidance. Proficient digital skills to effectively operate various library equipment, including the library management system, library-related applications (including electronic resources), photocopiers, and internet functionalities. Excellent communication and customer service abilities to effectively engage with the public and serve as a reliable source of information, advice, and guidance. Good interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage effectively with children, families, and customers of all ages.This includes supporting family fun days at the prison and reading to groups of children during story time sessions.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the attached.

Rewards and Benefits


From access to our Employee Assistance Programme to training and development opportunities, we aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.



We think libraries are great places to work, where you can make a difference to local communities every day. Find out more about the variety that comes with working in a library and hear first-hand from some of our library staff here:

Library Jobs - West Sussex

You will benefit from an excellent

local government pension scheme

as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.



For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information


The reference number for this role is

CPP01267

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sara Crowley at

Sara.Crowley@westsussex.gov.uk

For an informal conversation regarding the application process, please contact Rosa Siracusa (Recruitment Specialist) at

Rosa.Siracusa@westsussex.gov.uk

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact

hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click

apply

below, upload your CV, and complete the application form, explaining how you meet the key skills in the attached job description and experience you can bring to the role. Please ensure all that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.



Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.



Struggling to apply?

Book onto a Digital Support Session

in a library near you to get help navigating our application form (subject to availability)

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory references, health check and HMPS Vetting.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.



RSi



LOCATION###

Littlehampton / East Preston area

CONTRACT TYPE###

Casual

JOB TYPE###

Libraries and Record Office

CLOSING DATE###

01 February 2026