Bilingual Spanish Youth Librarian

Multnomah County • Gresham, OR

15h • Onsite

About The Position

Multnomah County Library is seeking a creative, charismatic Bilingual Spanish-speaking Youth Librarian to join their team at Rockwood Library. This role involves providing services to the community, working closely with regional and systemwide colleagues, and acting as a liaison between the local branch, regional, and systemwide Youth Services and cultural/language teams. As a member of the Spanish Language and cultural KSA group, you will connect immigrant and refugee communities to resources, engage communities with friendly guidance, and support patrons in navigating resources and opportunities. You will also be responsible for connecting all patrons with information and services, building professional relationships with patrons and community partners, and delivering professional-level library services such as storytime and programs for emerging readers, tweens, and teens. The focus is on serving youth (birth to age 18), families, and those who work with youth, by matching their personal, educational, and recreational needs with appropriate information and resources, and fostering literacy. Upholding professional librarianship values, building trust within the community, and aligning those values with local community needs and the Library's strategic plan are key. The role requires the ability to work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups, demonstrating a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor. The position may involve de-escalation situations, and the ability to exercise quick and mature judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive customers and emergencies is crucial. Employees may be reassigned to assist in emergency responses.

Requirements

• Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program.
• Ability to speak, write and read English and Spanish fluently.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or extensive experience with the Spanish-speaking community, demonstrated by your knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of the theories of child and adolescent learning and development and how those theories might impact library service from birth through high school.
• Experience with current and retrospective children's and teen literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, web sites, electronic media and other materials that constitute a diverse and relevant youth collections.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of professional youth librarian experience.
• Experience planning, preparing and implementing culturally sensitive programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children.

Responsibilities

• Provide services to the communities served by a library location.
• Work closely with regional staff and systemwide colleagues.
• Act as a liaison between the local branch, regional, and systemwide Youth Services and cultural/language teams.
• Connect immigrant and refugee communities to the information and resources they need to be successful in the United States.
• Engage communities with friendly guidance to help them navigate resources and opportunities.
• Connect all patrons with the information and services they seek.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with patrons and community partners.
• Deliver a variety of professional-level library services such as storytime, and programs for emerging readers, tweens, and teens.
• Focus on serving youth (from birth to age 18), families, and those who work with youth.
• Perform the vital task of matching the personal, educational, and recreational needs of patrons with the appropriate information and resources.
• Foster literacy in youth and families.
• Uphold overarching professional librarianship values.
• Build trust within the community and grow the community’s trust in Multnomah County Library.
• Align professional values with local community needs.
• Establish the library location’s priorities based on the Library’s overarching strategic plan.
• Work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor.
• Handle situations that require de-escalation or assistance from a supervisor or Person-in-Charge.
• Serve as Person-in-Charge in the absence of a manager or supervisor.
• Exercise quick and mature judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive, physically dangerous or abusive customers and emergencies.

Benefits

• Pay Range: $36.89 - $45.37 Hourly
• Oregon Equal Pay Law considerations for actual compensation
• Serving the Public, Even During Disasters (potential reassignment for emergency response)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level