As a member of the Library’s supervisory team, under the supervision of the branch manager, this employee provides leadership in the performance of front-line customer service to children and their caregivers in person, over the telephone, and online. This employee provides ready reference, referral, and readers’ advisory service, develops and presents educational programs and classes including summer reading programs, Discovery Time, after-school programs, board game and video game activities, technology classes, and other events supporting literacy learning for youth and their families; sets up meeting venues; provides technology instruction; performs support-level collection development tasks; and promotes the Library at outreach events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Work regularly at the youth services desk, providing ready reference, readers’ advisory, and referrals to youth and their caregivers in person, over the telephone, and online; will work at a variety of other service points in the building as necessary for coverage and cross-training

Instruct youth in use of technology resources

Develop and present diverse and enriching activities, events, and classes for children, teens, families, and caregivers that support transliteracy and lifelong learning

Collaborate with librarians in planning, promoting, and providing Library tours and outreach services for local schools, preschools, daycares, and community agencies

Actively promote Library resources, programs, and services during patron interactions

Coordinate procedures for youth services collection evaluation and maintenance; supervise processing and maintenance of specialty collections (realia for example)

Coordinate workflow and completion of daily tasks at youth services desk

Preserve safety, appearance, and condition of Library facilities and property

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities for the position

Experience: At least three years’ experience working with youth in a teaching environment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA):

Knowledge of: developmentally appropriate literacy skills for older children and teens and the ability to apply this knowledge in the context of a learning environment with emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, math (STEAM); Knowledge of current and classic literature, including authors, genres, and awards, for children and teens and an ability to reinforce the Library’s commitment to the promotion of books, reading, and transliteracy through programming and readers’ advisory; A general understanding of the stages of childhood and adolescent development, as well as early literacy concepts; An understanding of the Library’s role in meeting the information/learning needs of all youth, including those with special needs and from diverse backgrounds; Understanding of the relationships and responsibilities of Library divisions and buildings; Understanding of Library mission and roles, and the general role of public libraries within a community

Skills and Abilities: Excellent customer service skills; Strong organizational, planning, and project oversight skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks with frequent interruption; Ability to present books, music, and fingerplays to groups of young children and their caregivers in a formal teaching environment while facilitating conceptual skill development; Ability to understand and apply customer service strategies to encourage Library use, establish a welcoming atmosphere, and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all youth and their caregivers; General proficiency with standard software used in business applications such as Microsoft products, especially Word and Excel; and the ability to internalize and use specialized library industry standard software; General proficiency with current Web applications such as search engines, email interfaces, social media, and eBook and eAudio applications/commonly used devices; Ability to exhibit good judgment according to a formalist system of ethics and establish a cordial and effective working relationship with the public, colleagues, Board members, and County officials; Ability to resolve conflict rather than create it, and implement change rather than block it; Ability to implement Library Board policies and procedures

YOUR SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Availability for morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, and some holiday shifts

Remote work not authorized

Pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check required

Engage with high-risk populations

Preference given for fluency in more than one language

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, talk, hear, crouch, crawl, balance, reach, stoop, and kneel. Must use hands and fingers to operate a computer. The employee is regularly required to lift up to twenty-five pounds, and occasionally up to fifty pounds. The employee must be able to remove library materials from shelves at a maximum height of six feet and push library carts weighing up to 175 pounds. Must be able to move about the work area, talk clearly with customers, and hear customer responses. Must have excellent close vision and good distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly works indoors in a public library environment.

Employees must be able to work rotating shifts (seven days a week) and flexible hours (morning, afternoon, evening, and holiday hours) when the Library is open. All employees will work up to two evenings per week and will alternate weekend shifts with the other employees in their division. Employees will also work holiday hours of equal proportion to those of other employees in their division.

CAREER LADDER:

Position Title: Associate Specialist (Public Services), Youth Services, Level II

Job Class: 631

Grade: 14

Responsibility Level: Entry Level Paraprofessional

Must have actively and consistently demonstrated all of the skill, ability, and willingness to perform all duties associated with an Associate Specialist (Public Services), Youth Services I position in an above standard manner in all seven management areas for two consecutive years; must be recommended by their supervisor; must have consistently played a leadership role in obtaining expected results.

A one pay-band salary adjustment accompanies this advancement.

OR:

Must have accepted additional responsibility above that required of others in their class, are currently performing at a standard level or above, and are recommended by their supervisor

In the case of an employee who has both performed above standard for two years in a row, and has taken on additional responsibilities, one or more salary steps may also be awarded.

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Position Title: Associate Specialist (Public Services), Youth Services, Level III

Job Class: 632

Grade: 15

Responsibility Level: Entry Level Paraprofessional

Must have actively and consistently demonstrated all of the skill, ability, and willingness to perform, and lead others in, all duties associated with an Associate Specialist (Public Services), Youth Services II position in an above standard manner in all seven management areas for two consecutive years; must assume responsibility for taking on a special task or ongoing project according to established procedures and System priorities; must be recommended by their supervisor; must have consistently played a leadership role in obtaining expected results.

OR:

Must have accepted additional responsibility above that required of others in their class, are currently performing at a standard level or above, and are recommended by their supervisor.

A one pay-band salary adjustment accompanies this advancement and, depending on the value

to the organization of the extra responsibilities assigned to this position, one or more salary steps may also be awarded.