Children's Instructor & Research Specialist (Bilingual Spanish/English) (Part-time)

Howard County Library System•Laurel, MD

13d•$26 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

The Children's Instructor & Research Specialist is a bilingual Spanish/English, part-time position based at the Savage Branch. The role welcomes customers, creates a welcoming and fun environment through classes and events in English and Spanish, provides research assistance, and supports customers’ lifelong learning. The position contributes to an inclusive, diverse, and respectful workplace and advances Howard County Library System’s educational mission and racial and social equity goals. The successful candidate develops and teaches bilingual, community-driven educational classes for children from infancy through fifth grade, including STEM instruction. The role also provides research and technology assistance, supports the library collection and customer service desks, makes recommendations, leads branch tours, and brings library services and educational programs into the community and schools. The position works under the supervision of the Children's Instruction & Research Supervisor and may be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute). This position is 20 hours per week, Monday through Saturday, including two nights per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays, and a maximum of three Sundays out of four. Evenings and weekends are required for signature HCLS events. Salary is $25.52–$44.75 per hour. The position closes Friday, November 13, 2026, at 4 PM.

Requirements

Four-year college degree.
Ability to work effectively with staff and customers of various races and ethnicities.
Extraordinary customer service skills.
Demonstrated work experience teaching children with an enthusiastic, friendly, and approachable demeanor.
Passion for working with the public, especially groups of children.
Ability to be positive, adaptable, and forward-thinking.
Ability to use sound judgment and exercise diplomacy.
Ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships.
Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Professional teaching or presentation talents and experience.
Ability to analyze and solve problems and develop new processes and procedures in response to changing customer expectations and system-wide goals.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
Knowledge of the community and current events.
Technology proficiency and ability to use and teach a range of current technology.
Current valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Develop a bilingual, community-driven course curriculum for children's education classes.
Prepare and teach children's classes for infants through fifth-grade students, including classes in STEM education.
Provide thorough and efficient research assistance to the public.
Maintain the library collection, including creating attractive, plentiful, and current displays, collection maintenance, and shelf-reading assignments.
Help customers with basic computer skills, internet searches, downloading e-books, e-resources, and the copy/fax center.
Recommend reading, viewing, and listening materials to customers.
Provide customer service and reference assistance, connecting customers with the information they seek.
Work at any HCLS Customer Service or Research Desk as needed.
Host branch tours and explain HCLS services, events, and products.
Conduct community outreach and events that raise awareness of HCLS services, including e-resources and loanable Chromebooks and hotspots.
Visit schools to teach A+ Partners in Education classes, including book promotions.
Provide instruction resources for high school and college students and staff, including duties related to events outside HCLS operating hours.
Participate in professional training and development.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance and adhere to policies and procedures.