Youth Services Associate

City of Janesville Wisconsin • Janesville, WI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction of the Head of Youth Services, the Youth Services Associate works 29 hours per week, which includes daytime, evening, and Saturday hours. The Youth Services Associate is responsible for regular shifts at the Children’s Desk, monitors the room, and provides assistance with circulation, readers’ advisory, reference and other customer service to children and adults, both as individuals and in groups. This position is responsible for providing early literacy Storytimes and other children’s and family programming and community engagement both in the library and out in the community. This position may also be assigned areas of collection development and other departmental tasks, such as scheduling, monthly reports and statistics, and coordinating in-room activities.

Requirements

• An associate degree in early childhood education or childcare or related field is required.
• A minimum of one (1) year working with children and one (1) year customer service is required.
• Access to personal or public transportation for job-related duties.
• Working knowledge of library classification systems.
• General knowledge of children’s literature.
• Thorough knowledge of child development.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills.
• Collaboration skills to effectively work with others to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, evaluate, and articulate recommendations with a strong focus on the best outcome for the community.
• Project management skills to guide, manage, and direct projects in alignment with the Library’s strategic plan.
• Critical thinking skills to effectively analyze situations and solve complex or technical problems in a timely manner.
• Accurate record-keeping and data-reporting skills to prepare and present [standard, technical, regulatory,] reports.
• Intermediate level of technical proficiency skills, including computer applications and software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to compose routine correspondence and routine reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner, utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and tone.
• Ability to effectively make presentations to small and large groups of individuals, manage public speaking obligations, and successfully communicate with the general public.
• Ability to learn and apply new technology in order to provide library services to the public.
• Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor.
• Ability to maintain a valid, state-issued driver’s license.
• Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties.
• Strong ethics base built upon integrity, honesty, initiative, and respect; maintain strict confidentiality.
• Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals and work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner.
• Work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties.
• Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries.
• Work with others in a positive and supportive manner to solve problems, generate ideas, and accomplish division and City goals.

Nice To Haves

• An educator license or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, library science, or related field.
• Experience planning and executing lessons or programming for children (birth to eleven).
• A combination of equivalent experience and/or education as determined by the Human Resources Office may be considered in lieu of minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

• Uses a wide variety of resources to provide facilitative, computer, readers’ advisory, and reference assistance to children, parents/caregivers, teachers, and other library users in person and over the telephone.
• Plans and conduct early literacy Storytimes and other programs for families and children (birth to eleven) and their teachers and caregivers.
• Assists with summer library program execution.
• Conducts tours and visits at the library and at schools, daycares, camps, and other community organizations and participates in community engagement activities for families on the Bookmobile.
• Represents the Youth Services Department on all-ages programming, committees, and task forces within Hedberg Public Library at the request of the Head of Youth Services.
• Follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures; reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor; reports all accidents to the supervisor immediately whenever possible; follows recognized safe work practices.
• Performs other special projects and other job duties as assigned or required during regular and non-business hours.
• All employees may be assigned by the City Manager or their designee to perform duties and assume responsibilities that are outside the scope of their work duties when the City Manager has declared a City disaster or the City Emergency Operations Center has been initiated.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree