Children’s Literacy Program Specialist

SLC Public Library•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Children’s Literacy Program Specialist designs and delivers children’s literacy programs and outreach across Salt Lake City Public Library locations and community settings. The role manages programs from initial concept through delivery and evaluation, including the Youth Literacy Project, the Grow A Reader website, and early literacy campaigns such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Read 20 for 20. The specialist also assists with the annual Summer Reading Challenge and applies expertise in the science of reading, child literacy development, and informal education. This is a public-facing teaching role. The specialist tests new ideas through pilots and small-scale experiments, learns from participant responses, and adjusts or retires programs as appropriate. The position works with staff, caregivers, volunteers, community partners, and diverse participants; directs and mentors associates and volunteers; and delivers programming in library locations and public spaces such as parks and plazas. The role may lead substantial projects, train staff, participate in strategic-plan committees and workgroups, and support other teams in the Programming and Outreach division. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with evenings and weekends required according to program schedules. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, with regular travel between library and community sites. The role requires transportation; employees using a personal vehicle must maintain state-required insurance. Physical demands include repetitive movement, standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying materials or equipment up to 50 pounds, and pushing or pulling carts. Outdoor work may involve intermittent inclement weather.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Literacy, Education, Library and Information Science, or a related field, plus experience teaching or facilitating programs in children’s literacy and reading development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge and skills.
One year of experience leading and mentoring other experts in literacy program development.
Demonstrated knowledge of child development, foundational reading science, and early literacy instructional practices.
Enthusiasm for teaching people of all ages and a genuine interest in working with the public.
Comfort learning by doing, quickly trying ideas, observing responses, and adjusting in the moment.
A record of launching and improving programs or activities through repetition rather than extensive upfront planning.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including teamwork and the ability to motivate and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups.
Experience taking a leadership role on a workgroup, task force, or project.
Experience mentoring employees or volunteers.
Intermediate knowledge of computer operation and common programs.
Ability to maintain professional knowledge and skills through professional reading, webinars, training, or conferences.
Ability to work days, nights, or weekends as scheduled and travel between library locations and community sites.
Must have transportation; if using a personal vehicle, must maintain state-required insurance.
Ability to lift and carry program materials and equipment up to 50 pounds and push or pull carts.
Good hand mobility and coordination.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing early literacy initiatives, web content such as Grow A Reader, or community reading challenges such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.
Experience designing programs with clear learning goals.
Experience delivering programs in a public library, museum, school, or community setting.
Experience delivering programs in parks, plazas, or other public spaces, or partnering with a city or public agency.
Desire to serve children, teens, and adults.
Spanish or other non-English language skills.

Responsibilities

Design and deliver children’s literacy programs, campaigns, and outreach for young children, youth, and families at library locations and in community settings.
Oversee key literacy initiatives, including the Youth Literacy Project and reading programs such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Read 20 for 20.
Assist with the annual Summer Reading Challenge.
Set a clear learning goal for each program and deliver programs effectively and energetically.
Rapidly test new program ideas through pilots, one-off tests, and small versions; iterate, scale successful programs, and retire programs that stop working.
Maintain advanced knowledge of the science of reading, child literacy development, and current informal education practices; apply evidence-based literacy strategies and recommend tools, materials, and approaches.
Manage digital resources such as the Grow A Reader website and serve as a resource for staff, caregivers, and the community on early literacy development.
Create safe, inclusive environments, address difficult interactions and problems, and escalate issues to a supervisor when needed.
Build and maintain relationships with staff, participants, volunteers, vendors, schools, organizations, artists, practitioners, agencies, and community partners.
Spend time in the community learning what people want and testing ideas directly with them.
Design and deliver programs in parks, plazas, and other public spaces, adapting them for outdoor use and passersby; help identify underused spaces for library programming.
Direct the day-to-day work of associates and volunteers in programs, mentor staff, help the supervisor with program coverage, and potentially act as team lead in the Senior Specialist’s absence.
Maintain Grow A Reader Initiative content, keep supplies, literacy kits, and equipment stocked and in good condition, recommend purchases, and track spending against the assigned supply budget.
Train Programming and other staff on children’s literacy programs and related policies and procedures; provide system-wide training when requested.
Collect attendance, outcome, and participant feedback, use findings to improve programs, and share results with the supervisor and Communications.
Lead substantial projects such as program series, festivals, grant-funded initiatives, and new service pilots in collaboration with Library teams.
Take a leadership role in committees and workgroups related to Strategic Plan activities.
Complete other assigned or required duties and actively support other Programming and Outreach division teams as needed.
Accept and complete assignments from the supervisor or other Library staff professionally and in a timely manner.