A parttime youth services associate position is available at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library and will be posted until filled. The job is scheduled for approximately 20 hours per week and pays $10.74 per hour.

Essential Functions

• Ability to relate to teens, primarily ages 12-18, but sometimes as young as age 9 and work with the general public: Youth Services Associate jobs are interdependent and mutually dependent regarding other job categories. Youth Services Associates also have a great degree of direct contact with Library patrons. Therefore, it is essential that individuals who work in this position have the ability to work and interact in a cooperative, pleasant, and constructive manner with others and encourage and nurture positive relationships between teens, the Library, staff and administration.
• Develop and implement children's, teen and family programs and activities, such as storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, or school age youth, family events. Also works occasionally teen advisory groups and teen volunteers. Develop Library services based on sound models of youth participation, allowing for social interaction, growth and learning.
• Timeliness: Since employees in this position work with other staff and provide assistance to the general public who patronize the Library, Youth Services Associates must be punctual and timely in arriving to work and completing tasks. A Youth Services Associate must also be capable of working all of the hours in their assigned shift.
• Assist patrons with reader's advisory, information, and location of library materials.
• Assist and instruct patrons in the operation of patron access computer (PAC), copy machines, printers, microfilm readers, and reference materials.
• Regular telephone reference and information work.
• Performs computer searches, keyboard work at 35 wpm.
• Operates technologically advanced computer equipment, databases, fax machines, and PACs.

Education/Experience

• BA/BS Degree in a related field.
• One-year public service experience required.
• Public library experience, supervisory experience, and experience working with teens and/or children preferred.

Skills/Job Knowledge

• Ability to interact pleasantly, constructively, and cooperatively with library patrons and staff.
• Must exhibit flexibility, initiative, creativity, energy, patience and tact.
• Excellent communications skills, oral and written.
• Ability to effectively listen to and respond to patron inquiries.
• Ability to perform essential job functions during times of high public usage.
• Working knowledge of ready reference tools.
• Computer and keyboard skills, to include Windows, word processing and spreadsheet construction.
• Knowledge and appreciation of children's and teen literature, issues, and interests.
• Public speaking skills, ability to plan, organize and execute programs, tours, and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Works with Youth Services Manager to plan, implement and evaluate youth programs for the branch, based on the developmental needs of teens and children.
• Assists Youth Services Manager with the promotion of youth services to local schools and community organizations through outreach.
• Maintains teen and children's collection at the branch using methods to maximize easy, equitable and independent access to information by youth.
• Is a member of the Children's Committees.
• Monitors electronic systems in both youth services areas.
• Performs reference, patron advisory, and information services in a pleasant, constructive and cooperative manner.
• Observes and implements library policies and procedures.
• Assists in the training of teen and adult volunteers.
• Evaluates and documents programs and services to contribute to institutional and professional memory and adapt and improve future programs and services.
• Performs periodic public speaking, conducts tours, and attends meetings.

Contact

• Regular, daily public contact.
• Works closely with other department personnel.
• Routine telephone and email contact with other departments and branches.

Supervision

• Supervised directly by the Children's Youth Services Department Manager at Midtown.

Physical Demands

• Performs bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching from floor level to 6 feet in height.
• Displays good coordination and mobility.
• Routine lifting of library materials weighing up to 20 lbs.

Working Environment

• Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in a general library environment.

Miscellaneous Requirements

• Must be able to pass a security background check.