Tween Associate

KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY•Kansas City, MO

7d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Basic Information Reports to Assistant Director of Youth & Family Engagement. 40 hours per week; non-exempt. $20.05 per hour plus benefits. Position is open until filled. Schedule Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 11:30 am - 8 pm Friday & Saturday: 8:30 am - 5 pm Location Waldo Branch: 201 East 75th Street, KCMO, 64114. Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions) Works with teens/tweens to plan and implement programming and services for them at the branch through the lens of twenty-first century skills and DEI. Seeks to engage youth voice in determining the programming, services, and resources the Library offers to ensure that teens/tweens’ needs and desires are represented in these offerings. Maintains a presence in the teen area of the branch particularly during the after-school hours; provides outreach to schools and community agencies that serve teens/tweens as opportunities and time allows. Works independently and with colleagues to advocate for teen/tween services within the library and in the community and to generate publicity for teen/tween programs and services at the branch. Participates in the planning and implementation of system-wide programming for teens/tweens including, but not limited to, the Summer Reading/Learning Program. Communicates effectively with staff in the branch regarding system-wide teen/tween programming ensuring that branch staff understand and implement “We All Serve Youth (WASY)” principles and practices. Serves as a mentor to teens/tweens with a focus on establishing relationships with those who utilize the branch. Attends Youth & Family Engagement and branch staff meetings and other Library-based meetings and trainings as determined by supervisors. Maintains current Microsoft Outlook Calendar that is shared with YFE leadership and the branch manager and staff. Communicates with the YFE Assistant Director, the YFE Youth Librarian, and the Branch Manager to coordinate budget, programming, and services for teens/tweens and to address concerns and patron needs. Meets regularly with the Assistant Director of YFE to communicate concerns, share ideas and information, and solicit input or help as needed. Maintains accurate statistics for programming and services. Prepares and shares monthly reports. Notes and shares stories of engagement with teens/tweens, their families, and their learning environments (schools, youth support organizations, etc.) that demonstrate the Library’s impact. Contributes to the Library’s youth social media efforts. Provides basic circulation and reference assistance including assisting with library card/accounts, explaining library policies and procedures, providing library instruction, answering reference questions, and recommending materials. Maintains effective, courteous working relationships with all library customers and staff. Fulfills needed tasks for collection maintenance at the direction of the Collection Development Department. Communicates with the Collection Development Department any needs for the youth collection at the location. Promotes the youth collections and other relevant resources through social media, outreach, Bibliocommons, and in-Library displays. Performs other related work and undertakes special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Ability and willingness to create a welcoming environment for teens/tweens.
Outstanding customer service skills.
Working knowledge of teen and middle grade literature and online resources. Ability to promote usage of these materials.
Demonstrated desire to gain knowledge and stay current with trends and developments in library youth services.
Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability and willingness to follow oral and written instructions.
Computer skills including assisting patrons with their usage of Library-related technology.
Ability to speak and understand English is required, additional consideration will be given to individuals that are proficient in any non-English languages used in Jackson County, MO including Spanish, American Sign Language, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, and Swahili.
2 years of experience working with and advocating for youth.
Understanding of youth development.
3 years of customer service experience.
A passion for excellent library services for and with youth.

Responsibilities

Works with teens/tweens to plan and implement programming and services for them at the branch through the lens of twenty-first century skills and DEI.
Seeks to engage youth voice in determining the programming, services, and resources the Library offers to ensure that teens/tweens’ needs and desires are represented in these offerings.
Maintains a presence in the teen area of the branch particularly during the after-school hours; provides outreach to schools and community agencies that serve teens/tweens as opportunities and time allows.
Works independently and with colleagues to advocate for teen/tween services within the library and in the community and to generate publicity for teen/tween programs and services at the branch.
Participates in the planning and implementation of system-wide programming for teens/tweens including, but not limited to, the Summer Reading/Learning Program. Communicates effectively with staff in the branch regarding system-wide teen/tween programming ensuring that branch staff understand and implement “We All Serve Youth (WASY)” principles and practices.
Serves as a mentor to teens/tweens with a focus on establishing relationships with those who utilize the branch.
Attends Youth & Family Engagement and branch staff meetings and other Library-based meetings and trainings as determined by supervisors.
Maintains current Microsoft Outlook Calendar that is shared with YFE leadership and the branch manager and staff.
Communicates with the YFE Assistant Director, the YFE Youth Librarian, and the Branch Manager to coordinate budget, programming, and services for teens/tweens and to address concerns and patron needs.
Meets regularly with the Assistant Director of YFE to communicate concerns, share ideas and information, and solicit input or help as needed.
Maintains accurate statistics for programming and services.
Prepares and shares monthly reports. Notes and shares stories of engagement with teens/tweens, their families, and their learning environments (schools, youth support organizations, etc.) that demonstrate the Library’s impact.
Contributes to the Library’s youth social media efforts.
Provides basic circulation and reference assistance including assisting with library card/accounts, explaining library policies and procedures, providing library instruction, answering reference questions, and recommending materials.
Maintains effective, courteous working relationships with all library customers and staff.
Fulfills needed tasks for collection maintenance at the direction of the Collection Development Department. Communicates with the Collection Development Department any needs for the youth collection at the location. Promotes the youth collections and other relevant resources through social media, outreach, Bibliocommons, and in-Library displays.
Performs other related work and undertakes special projects as assigned.