Literacy Program Specialist - Library Department

City of San Jose•San Jose, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) consists of more than 600 employees, a 23% bilingual workforce, and has 24 branch libraries across San José, in addition to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is the city’s main library jointly operated through a unique partnership with San José State University. SJPL serves a diverse community of roughly one-million residents and currently has nearly 700,000 library members. It annually attracts over 6 million visitors (pre-pandemic) and circulates more than 8 million items per year. Over the past few years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core. In addition to providing library services to the community, SJPL proudly leads two citywide initiatives - the Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the SJ Access digital equity initiative, which has become the number one provider of free public access to Wi-Fi connectivity, tech device lending, and multi-lingual digital literacy programs and support. SJPL is led by Jill Bourne, City Librarian, who was nationally recognized in 2017 as Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.” SJPL enriches lives by fostering lifelong learning and ensuring that every member of the community has access to a vast array of ideas and information. The library department is a place where people do great work and make a difference in our community. To see examples of SJPL’s work and learn more about its impact, visit www.sjpl.org. Join us to make a difference! The Library Department is seeking three (3) Literacy Program Specialists (LPS) to join our team and change the lives of those we serve! The ideal candidate for these positions will understand, support, practice and promote the Mission, Vision, & Values statements of the City of San José and the library; demonstrate leadership and a commitment to active customer service; have knowledge of current literacy technology and trends; have experience working with a diverse community and staff; and enjoy working in a fast-paced, innovative team environment.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in literacy, education, social or human services, or related field AND one (1) year experience working in a literacy program.
Knowledge of current literacy technology and trends.
Experience working with a diverse community and staff.
Detail orientation.
Strong communication skills.
Knowledge of current literacy trends.
Strong commitment to serving youth and adults who want to improve their lives through educational attainment.
Problem solver with strong data management and organizational skills.
Able to lead special projects, and handle customer questions and support requests.
Skilled in ESL assessment, curriculum development, adult learning principles, workforce readiness, cross-cultural communication, grant management, data-driven program evaluation, and community engagement.
Exceptional organizational skills, initiative, collaboration, and a strong commitment to educational equity.
Skilled in cross-cultural communication, program evaluation, and community engagement.
Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices; including programming materials, techniques, methodologies and/or principles and practices of adult literacy programs; tutoring techniques and assessment; handling sensitive and confidential information; Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing, demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution.
Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Skills Preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinating programs and services provided by the library.
Identifying community needs.
Collaborating with partner organizations.
Guiding library customers to information and helpful resources.
Implementing grants.
Planning/implementing or finding partners for library programs.
Conducting community outreach.
Evaluating the effectiveness of programs, computer software, and online learning tools.
Formulating a strong partnership with other Library units (Family Learning Centers, Early Education, Expanded Learning, College and Career Pathways, Digital Empowerment, and SJPL Works).
Focus on ensuring the ongoing success of the Career Online High School program and promoting opportunities for community members to make progress on their educational and career goals.
Program coordination and data management.
Partnership development with organizations focused on post-secondary pathways and institutions of higher education.
Organizing and conducting community outreach.
Coordinating, expanding, and evaluating citywide adult education, ESL, workforce development, and digital inclusion initiatives aligned with the evolving needs of our diverse community.
Serving as the program lead for the Carnegie grant-funded initiative, Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy.
Managing complex projects, building collaborative partnerships, developing innovative learning models, analyzing program outcomes, and adapting initiatives to meet changing community and grant priorities.
Coordination and implementation of the day-to-day implementation of the FFN Caregiver Support Network.
Planning and facilitating trainings, workshops, peer learning opportunities, and special events.
Recruiting, engaging, and supporting caregiver participants.
Coordinating program logistics, communications, schedules, materials, and participant support.
Monitoring program performance through data collection, participant tracking, evaluation, and reporting.