Assistant Specialist (Public Services) I: Youth Services

Library Program Assistant The Weber County Library seeks energetic individuals with outstanding communication skills and significant experience supporting the learning and development of children and teens in educational or community-based settings. These employees will lead discovery of library materials and services, plan and present early literacy, school-aged, and teen programs, and contribute to a welcoming, learning-focused environment. This recruitment will be used to fill current openings at library locations throughout Weber County. As a member of the Library's program implementation team, under the supervision of the youth services librarian, this employee works regularly at a service desk providing ready reference, readers' advisory, and referral services to youth and their caregivers in person and over the telephone; participates in planning and presenting educational activities including summer reading programs, after-school programs, Discovery Time, and other literacy programs; performs support-level collection development tasks; provides occasional customer service at the circulation desk; sets up meeting venues; provides technology instruction; promotes the Library at outreach events. Work regularly at the youth services desk, providing ready reference, readers' advisory, and referral to youth and their caregivers in person and over the telephone; will be expected to work at 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, including Discovery Time, the After-School Program, the Summer Reading Program, and other educational activities that support transliteracy and lifelong learning. Collaborate with professional employees 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. Contribute to the evaluation and maintenance of the children's and young adult collections. Preserve safety, appearance, and condition of Library facilities and property. Contribute to training and workflow and maintain performance results to facilitate a competent workforce made up of support employees to achieve and deliver superior library service. Education: Associate'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 two years' experience working with youth in a teaching environment. Knowledge of: General 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); General 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 basic 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; 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; 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; 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; Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks with frequent interruption; 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 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. 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 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. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly works indoors in a library public service 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.