Youth Services Specialist

Department: Youth Services 

Pay Grade: 109

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

• The Youth Services Specialist contributes to the effective operations of the library by providing a variety of literary, educational, cultural programs, activities, and services for youth aged birth-18 and their caregivers. This position is 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 Community Library Manager/Library Lead.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides reference and readers advisory services in the Teen area and Children's area, or as needed at other service points; provides instructional use on library resources (books and digital) and assists patrons with inter-library loan requests; instructs teens, tweens, and their caregivers in information gathering, research skills, and digital literacy skills.
• Provides friendly, courteous, and accurate service to all library users.
• Develops, presents, and evaluates workshops and programs for children, teens, and their caregivers.
• Creates displays for the Teen area or Children's area, and other areas of the library as directed.
• Assists the Regional Librarian for Children’s and Teen Programming in the preparation of the annual Youth Services budget, providing timely updates on the use of funds.
• Collaborates with Regional Librarian for Children’s and Teen Programming and the library’s administrative team to prepare short and long- term goals to serve children, teens, and their caregivers.
• Participates 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.
• Keeps 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.
• Coordinates with community schools and other organizations and agencies in order to promote library services, materials, and programs.
• Creates informational material, bibliographies, pathfinders, blog posts 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; contributes to the monthly staff newsletter; creates internal procedures manuals and troubleshooting guides.
• Actively encourages the use of the library and invites community members to participate in library events and activities.
• Represents the library at professional meetings, activities, and conferences as assigned; prepare written reports for the Library Director about these events and new learnings.
• Remains 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.
• Monitors the behavior and conduct of patrons in the Teen Room and Children’s Area and intervene as necessary to ensure appropriate conduct.
• Seeks out and applies for grants and additional funding; administers funds received and prepares necessary reports.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree; OR, an Associate’s degree with six (6) years of related work experience; OR, 8 years of related work experience is required; PLUS
• Experience working with and for children and/or teens required.
• One year experience developing and presenting programs for teens and/or tweens preferred.
• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree; four (4) years of directly related work experience with children and/or teens; or equivalent combination of education and experiences

Additional Requirements:

• One (1) year of experience developing and presenting programs for teens and/or tweens preferred

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license and insurability required.

Special Requirements:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of developmental, recreational and educational needs of children and teens.