Youth Services Specialist

SHIFT: Approximately 19 hours per week, Sunday-Saturday hours with regular rotation. May need to work evenings and weekends depending on library needs.
WAGES: $20.55 per hour SUMMARY

DESCRIPTION:

The Youth Services Specialist contributes to the effective operations of the library by providing a variety of literary, educational, and cultural programs, activities, and services for youth aged birth-17 and their caregivers. Responsible for working collaboratively with all other library departments, outside agencies, and organizations for the planning and implementation of a wide variety of programs. Reports to the Head of Youth Services.

• Provide reference and readers advisory services in the Teen Room, at the Youth Services desk, or as needed at other service points; provide instructional use on library resources (books and digital) and assists patrons with inter-library loan requests; instruct children, teens, tweens, and their caregivers in information gathering, research skills and digital literacy skills
• Provide friendly, courteous, and accurate service to all library users
• Develop, present, and evaluate workshops and programs for children, teens, and their caregivers
• Create displays for the Teen Room, Children’s area, and other areas of the library as directed
• Assist the Head of Youth Services in the preparation of the annual Youth Services budget, provide timely updates on the use of funds
• Collaborate with Head of Youth Services and the library’s administrative team to prepare short and long-term goals to serve children, teens, and their caregivers
• Participate in regular team communications to discuss and develop programming themes, special event planning and participation, patron policies, expectations, issues and concerns, library communication, and community involvement
• Keep informed about outcomes of departmental community needs assessments to identify patron needs in order to create tailored services and programs for children, teens, and their caregivers
• Coordinate with community schools and other organizations and agencies in order to promote library services, materials, and programs
• Create informational material, bibliographies, pathfinders, blogposts and/or other resources highlighting books or topics related to children’s and YA literature, interests, etc. for the library, the website, or other public information venues; create internal procedures manuals and troubleshooting guides for the Teen Room and Children’s area
• Actively encourage the use of the library and invites community members to participate in library events and activities
• Represent the library at professional meetings, activities, and conferences as assigned; prepare written reports for the Library Director about these events and new learnings
• Remain current on trends in children’s and teen literature, programming, and culture through consortium meetings, workshops, and other appropriate seminars
• May perform opening and closing procedures
• Monitor the behavior and conduct of patrons in the Teen Room and Children’s Area and intervene as necessary to ensure appropriate conduct
• Seek out and apply for grants and additional funding; administer funds received and prepare necessary reports
• May participate in the development and implementation of new library services or projects
• Perform other duties as assigned

• High school diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience working with and for children and/or teens required
• One year experience developing and presenting programs for teens and/or tweens preferred
• Fluency in Spanish a plus
• Knowledge of developmental, recreational and educational needs of children and teens
• Knowledge of current trends in library services for and with children, teens, and their caregivers
• Knowledge of standard library procedures, current information technology, Internet and database search capabilities
• Knowledge of best practices in Children’s Services, including guidelines and standards published by ALA, YALSA and other recognized organizations
• Knowledge of effective practices in community assessment, program evaluation and outcomes measurement
• Abilit…