Youth Engagement Specialist (40 hrs.) Northside Branch

Columbus Metropolitan Library • Columbus, OH

2d • $21 - $29 • Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Specialist creates positive, enriching experiences by engaging youth and their caregivers in conversation and activities and promoting literacy and reading. The role helps develop and deliver quality programs and informal engagements aligned with the library’s Young Minds Strategy, which supports youth in establishing a foundation for a successful life. The position may also involve outreach to schools and other organizations serving youth and collection management activities.

The Young Minds Strategy focuses on kindergarten readiness for ages 0–5, early literacy development for kindergarten through third grade, and support and preparation for tweens and teens toward high school graduation. The position is based at the Northside Branch and is scheduled for 40 hours per week. The work includes customer service and programming in the library and off-site, community engagement, support of youth safety and development, and assuming responsibility for location operations when a manager is absent.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2–3 years of experience working with youth or in community engagement.
• Interest in and ability to serve youth and develop rapport with youth and their caregivers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to operate library technology, including a personal computer, email, software programs such as Windows/Microsoft Office, and other job-related equipment and systems.
• Ability to use reliable transportation to promptly report to the job assignment and other locations as required.
• Ability to perform occasional lifting or pushing of up to 50 pounds and frequent lifting or pushing of up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience delivering programs and services to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Engage youth and families in the use of library resources, activities, and programs while providing a high level of customer service.
• Create a safe, welcoming environment that balances fun, engaging activities, relationship building, youth development, and learning.
• Plan, promote, and present programs and informal engagements for children of all ages at the branch and off-site.
• Answer customer questions, provide service throughout the building, and locate information using a variety of tools and resources; make referrals as appropriate.
• Connect with schools and community organizations to promote Young Minds programs and services through presentations, community events, and networking.
• Diffuse youth confrontations, mediate, and reduce tensions.
• Perform directed collection management activities for juvenile materials; create displays and merchandise materials.
• Direct volunteer and volunteen activities, including orientation, training, and scheduling.
• Keep children’s and teen areas neat, orderly, and appealing.
• Maintain skills and knowledge through library training, reviewing resources, and professional development conversations with youth services staff.
• Use computer applications and library equipment, and maintain current knowledge of system-wide and location-specific procedures, processes, policies, and operations.
• Support library policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct; follow up with customers when necessary and alert Security Officers or managers to suspicious behavior and safety or security risks.
• Perform other assigned duties, including serving on task forces and committees.
• Assume responsibility for location operations in the absence of a manager.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off and leave options.
• Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and additional investment and savings plans.
• Voluntary and supplemental insurance plans.
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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