Youth Development Specialist

Youth Programming SpecialistFLSA Status: Non-ExemptAdmin Level: Associate AdministratorBeginning Salary: $18-$19Schedule and Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday and scheduled Saturdays; including some eveningsSummary: Responsible for implementing library programming and outreach for ages zero to eighteen and their families, providing library services to patrons, and helping to maintain a safe and welcoming branch environment.Educational and Experience RequirementsMinimum:3 years library experience or 60 college credit hoursPreferred:Bachelors DegreeCollege credits with an education emphasisExperience in public library youth servicesDuties and Responsibilities Include the Following, But Not Limited To:Plan and Present Youth Programs and MaterialsPlan and present youth programs for ages zero to eighteen, including weekly early literacy based storytimes for ages 0-6Assist with the planning and implementation of annual library reading challengesRecord statistics of programs and evaluate for effectivenessMaintain knowledge of youth programming and literature trendsPrepare book lists and promotional literature as assignedAttend regular professional development training opportunitiesOversee an annual supply budget and make necessary programming purchasesCreate timely and innovative displays and decorations for the children and teen areasPrepare passive activities for the children and teen areasConduct youth library tours as requestedAssist the Branch Manager and Administration with special projects and tasksTravel to other branches as needed to assist with programsStaff the Youth Areas of the LibraryMaintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environmentMonitor youth services areas, enforcing policy as neededPromote programs while at the desk, including assisting patrons with registering for programsMaintain the children and teen collections, including shelving, straightening, shifting, and weedingOversee the Racing to Read play area, including maintaining the organization and cleanliness of early literacy manipulatives and activitiesHelp ensure all patrons have access to facilities and servicesTrain staff to operate the youth services desk; support Branch Manager in keeping YS Desk staffed; particularly during periods of high trafficReference and Readers' AdvisoryAssist patrons with the use of library online catalog, reference materials, internet and library databasesGuide patrons through the shelving arrangement to locate materialsAssist patrons in placing a hold on desired items, including via MOBIUS or Interlibrary loanBe familiar with the contents of and technology needed to access the library's digital collection, and teach patrons to use these resources on their own devicesAssist with patron inquiries on a wide variety of topics using reference interview techniquesUtilize readers' advisory tools and methods to suggest library materials to patronsParticipate in Youth Outreach ServicesProvide onsite outreach services for area schools, preschools, daycares and community organizationsRepresent and promote the library at community outreach eventsWork with the Outreach Department as neededStaff the Service Desk as NeededCheck in returned materials and process items appropriatelyEvaluate the condition of items upon return, checking for components and assessing damageShelve materials as neededMaintain patron and materials records, including registering patrons for new library cards and adding charges for lost or damaged materialsProcess incoming and outgoing holds for patronsAccept cash, check, and credit card payments on overdue, damaged, lost itemsIssue receipts for monetary transactions as neededCollect money for printing, photocopies, and faxesReconcile money collected with the electronic record of paymentsComplete deposits of all money collected at the service desk according to the guidelines set by the Business OfficePerson in Charge ResponsibilitiesAct as Person in Charge (PIC) of the branch as determined by Branch ManagerFollow and interpret library policies and procedures to make decisions and take action to ensure the safety and satisfaction of patrons and staffDocument issues via the security log and/or incident reportCommunicate with necessary individuals about incidents that occur during PIC shiftTravel to other branches as needed to assist with PIC dutiesCommunication with Administration and CoworkersEffective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with co-workers in person, by phone, in writing, by email, or email chat systemEffective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with Administration about scheduling, absences, co-worker performance issues, procedures, policies, etc.Effective, timely, thorough, and respectful communication with district departments such as IT, Facilities, Communications, Outreach, etc.Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be expected to do the following:Must be able to perform tasks on a ladder for decoration and display purposesFrequently move about or position self to access library materials and office equipment on the floor, in bins, and shelves up to 6 feet in heightFrequently move up to 50 lbs.Frequently move rolling carts and bins weighing up to 300 lbsFrequently move about or position self to maintain the cleanliness of the children's and teen areasRegularly operate a computer, printer, barcode scanner, and other office equipmentOccasionally work in outdoor weather conditions for programs or eventsKnowledge, skills, and other abilities needed to be successful in this position:Excellent customer service skillsProficient computer skills: internet, office productivity software (i.e. Google Workspace, Microsoft), and emailAbility to work with scanners, printers, and photocopiersWorking knowledge of reader interest levels, books, authors, and reference sourcesWorking knowledge of early literacy initiatives, child development, and current education standardsWorking knowledge of automated library circulation systems and online databasesWorking knowledge of print, non-print, digital, and online information sources available from a wide variety of sources, including publishers, the internet, and library and vendor-based systemsAbility to present ideas and provide instruction; comfortable with teaching and use of various forms of technology for ages 0-18 in small and large groupsAbility to adapt to multiple demands and changing priorities, to learn, and be willing to embrace changeAbility to develop or demonstrate necessary decision-making, leadership, team-building, strategic, and conflict resolution skillsAbility to set priorities, organize, and coordinate multiple projectsAbility to successfully perform all assigned duties to achieve the desired outcomeAbility to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and by listeningAbility to interact in a positive, effective manner with co-workers, supervisors, and the general publicAbility to perform with minimum supervision, work collaboratively in a team environment, demonstrate professional standards, good judgment, dependability, and timeliness in work environments