Associate Specialist; Public Services : Youth Services

Job Overview

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.

This position may be filled at any Weber County Library location.

• 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.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

None

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 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; ability to reinforce the Library's commitment to the promotion of books, reading, and transliteracy through programming and readers' advisory;

understanding of the stages of childhood and adolescent development; early literacy concepts;
Library's role in meeting the information/learning needs of all youth, including those with special needs and from diverse backgrounds; understanding of Library divisions and buildings; understanding of Library mission and roles, and the general role of public libraries within a community.

• Skills: Excellent customer service skills; strong organizational, planning, and project oversight skills; ability to manage multiple projects with frequent interruptions; ability to present books, music, and fingerplays to groups of young children and their caregivers in a formal teaching environment; ability to apply customer service strategies to encourage Library use and maintain a welcoming, safe environment for all youth and caregivers;
  
  general proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; proficiency with library-specific software; proficiency with current web applications and eBook/eAudio platforms; ability to exercise good judgment and maintain professional relationships; ability to resolve conflict and implement change; ability to implement Library Board policies and procedures.

• 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.

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