Youth Specialist

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties that are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interprets and implements library policies and procedures for patrons and staff
• Interviews, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates staff
• Assumes supervisory responsibilities when assigned
• Serves as liaison between library administration, other branches, and branch staff
• Works with the branch lead to develop budget requests
• Provides reference and readers’ advisory assistance to children, teens, and their families, including support in using collections, catalogs, electronic resources, and related services
• Identifies community educational and informational needs and leads the planning, execution, and evaluation of youth and general interest classes, programs, and outreach
• Presents weekly literature-based story time for appropriate audience
• Plans and implements system-wide programs, including the summer reading challenge
• Develops and maintains rapport with community organizations, including local schools, representing the library in the community and sustaining an active, visible public relations presence
• Implements marketing for youth programs and services
• Maintains a current collection through ongoing assessment, selection, allocation, and systematic weeding (removal) of materials in collaboration with the branch librarian and other professional staff
• Organizes and coordinates teen volunteer programs
• Attends and participates in professional activities, conferences, and committees
• Maintains awareness of professional trends, methods, and ethics
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Regular attendance is required
• Evenings and weekends required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position assumes managerial responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Acting as branch manager in supervisors’ absence in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws under the direction and guidance of the branch librarian/manager
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws under the direction and guidance of the branch librarian
• Addressing complaints and resolving problems with the approval of the branch manager
  

Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Three years of library experience in the areas of supervision, reference, collection development, and community relations preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Maintains strict confidentiality in accordance with County and Library policies and applicable laws
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills, including the ability to work effectively with the public
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures
• Ability to prepare clear, professional reports, correspondence, and procedural documentation
• Skill in presenting information and responding to inquiries from managers, staff, government officials, organizational leaders, and the public
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, and apply them in practical contexts
• Ability to identify problems, collect and evaluate data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions
• Ability to interpret technical instructions in written, diagrammatic, or abstract form and manage multiple complex variables
• Skill in using standard business software and equipment
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in problem-solving

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Valid Texas Driver’s License is preferred
Responsible for providing their own transportation in carrying out job duties

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time, walk and sit; have manual dexterity to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds frequently and occasionally 25 pounds. This position requires the ability to push and pull book carts weighing 25 pounds across a distance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
This job takes place within a library environment and in an automobile on county roads and streets. Inside the libraries, the noise level is usually a low to medium level. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office meetings and training rooms. Use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire and building safety regulations, and traffic signals when driving are expected.
In an automobile, the noise level can be loud while driving on the roads and streets. Outside weather conditions may fluctuate from extremely hot (above 90 degrees) to cold (below 30 degrees). In outdoor conditions, the employee may frequently be exposed to high humidity, hot sunlight and/or rain, hazardous road conditions, and gasoline fumes; the employee may occasionally be exposed to hail, sleet, and/or snow.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY
The drug/alcohol policy applies to this job. Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing is required.