https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/multnomah/jobs/1391052/youth-librarian-african-american-cultural-competency
You love what you do. Being a youth librarian is a passion, one that nourishes your desire to make a difference in the lives of children. You love all the ways you touch those lives, from helping teens in the teen lounge to presenting Black storytime to a group of three-year-olds. You love to recommend books and to encourage young people, especially those in the African American community, to read. It makes you smile.
Bring that smile, and your love for what you do, to Multnomah County Library!
Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon, is looking for a compassionate, dedicated, forward-thinking Youth Librarian to join the team at Midland Library. We're seeking someone who has the experience and the passion for working with all communities, but particularly the African American community. You must be creative, culturally competent and customer service-focused. We're committed to providing the best possible traditional and cutting-edge library services to children and young adults, both in our buildings and in the community, and we seek someone who shares that commitment.
As a Youth Librarian, you will draw on your expertise in youth literature and development when providing excellent customer and informational service to children, teens, families, educators and care providers. You'll be responsible for connecting internal and external patrons, particularly those from the African American community, with the information they seek as well as delivering a variety of professional-level library services. You will assess the needs of the community in order to plan, prepare and implement programs (including Black storytimes) and outreach for your service area, as well as build and maintain professional relationships with patrons and surrounding organizations. Not only will you develop programs for youth, you will also collaborate with your manager to identify opportunities and develop adult programs for the African American community. You will work closely with fellow branch staff as well as the Youth Services team. You will help ensure that branch continues to be a welcoming space for the community. You will occasionally serve as the person-in-charge of the branch.
To be successful in this role, you must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, leadership and communication skills to help the library develop innovative services for the 21st century. You're experimental and a risk-taker who is willing to try new things. You will be comfortable working with youth of all ages, particularly African American youth, and be able to shift with ease between storytimes, school-age programs and teen volunteer recruitment and mentorship. You don't shy away from technology; you actually embrace it and understand the importance of and know how to use various types of social media.
If you're still smiling, and we've appealed to your passion, then this job is for you! Apply today!
Learn more about the library's services for very young children, for kids, and for teens.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
No experience required.
Possession of an ALA accredited master's degree in library science. Experience cannot substitute for the degree requirement for this position.
Ability to pass a criminal records check.
Knowledge of and experience working with the African American community.
Knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the African American community being served as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience working directly with individuals and families who identify with the African American community.
Knowledge about and understanding of theories of child and adolescent learning and development and their implications for library service from birth to high school.
Experience with current and retrospective children's and young adult literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, websites, electronic media and other materials that constitute a diverse and relevant youth collection.
Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.
Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.
Two (2) years of professional youth librarian experience, which includes all three major age groups – early childhood, kids, and teens.
Experience planning, preparing and implementing African American programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability prioritize and delegate work.
Outstanding outreach ability, with a desire to learn about the local community and grow with it.
Experience is a patron-oriented role and able to model personalized patron service.
Enthusiastic service provider – ready, willing and able to serve all ages of youth and adults.
Ability to engage well with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to be a team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with coworkers to solve problems.
Experience with proactive reference and reader's advisory service for all segments of the community.
Open to new ideas, new technologies, and new work practices.
Ability to keep up with the library profession and public library trends.
Willingness to embrace technology, including social networking.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.
*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.
Screening and Evaluation
The Application Packet:
A completed online application
Responses to the supplemental questions
The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
Initial review of minimum qualifications
Supplemental question review
Oral exam (over the phone or Skype)
Consideration of top candidates (in-person hiring activities)
Background and reference checks
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference for this recruitment. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. The recruiter as listed on the job announcement must receive all required documentation by the closing date of the recruitment.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.
Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Additional Information
Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime.
Questions?
Johnette Easter, Recruiter
Multnomah County Library
919 NE 19th Ave, Suite 250
Portland, OR 97232
johnette@multcolib.org
503-988-5046
Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.