Youth Services Outreach Specialist

Description

Inspire Young Minds. Strengthen Community Connections.

Are you passionate about literacy, lifelong learning, and making a difference in the lives of children and families? Do you enjoy building community partnerships, creating engaging programs, and bringing library services beyond the library's walls? If so, we invite you to join our Youth Services team.

As the Youth Services Outreach Coordinator, you'll play a vital role in connecting children, teens, parents, educators, and community organizations with library resources and services. You'll develop innovative outreach initiatives, coordinate engaging youth programs, and help foster a love of reading and learning throughout our community.

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, educators, childcare providers, and community organizations to promote library services and literacy initiatives.
• Develop strategic outreach plans using community data and local trends.
• Plan, coordinate, and present engaging programs for children, teens, and families at library branches, schools, and community events.
• Coordinate outreach events, family literacy initiatives, and other special programs throughout the library system.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of the Summer Reading Program, including special events and guest presenters.
• Create and maintain outreach calendars and schedules, ensuring events are communicated across the library system.
• Represent the library at community events and serve as an ambassador for library services.
• Assist patrons by answering questions, providing reader's advisory and reference assistance, demonstrating library technology, and explaining library resources and services.
• Help maintain a welcoming, safe, and secure library environment, including opening and closing procedures for the Main Library.
• Operate library vehicles safely while transporting materials and supplies for outreach activities.
• Participate in professional development to remain current with youth services, outreach strategies, and emerging library technologies.
• Adapt to changing priorities, assist with unexpected public service needs, and support other library locations and departments as needed.
• Maintain the confidentiality of patron records and perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience required; experience in youth services and community outreach is preferred.
• One (1) year of experience working with creative technology hardware, software, or related tools in a library, makerspace, lab, or educational setting is preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A passion for serving children, teens, families, and the community.
• The ability to learn and apply library policies, procedures, services, and best practices while exercising sound independent judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with patrons, coworkers, managers, educators, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Excellent research, clerical, and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, internet resources, databases, and other technology.
• A willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing community and organizational needs.
• The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Attention to detail and the ability to perform accurate, high-quality work.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to travel throughout the library system and the community for outreach events, meetings, and training.
• Ability to safely operate library vehicles.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as scheduled.

Why Join Our Team?

At our library, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by inspiring young readers, supporting families, and building meaningful connections throughout our community. If you're creative, energetic, collaborative, and committed to exceptional public service, we'd love to hear from you.