Literacy Program Specialist - San Jose Public Library

The award-winning San José Public Library (SJPL) boasts more than 500 employees, a 21% 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 nearly one-million residents and currently has a little more than 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 years, SJPL has cultivated a 21st century library experience dedicated to public service and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core of its efforts.  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 the impact SJPL’s work has on our community and all that library staff have accomplished in the past calendar year, you can review the 2021 Impact Report. For more information about the department, please visit our website www.sjpl.org. Join us to make a differenceThe Library is seeking Literacy Program Specialists 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.

Literacy Program Specialists are community connectors. They are responsible for coordinating programs and services provided by the library. They identify community needs, collaborate with partner organizations, and guide library customers to information and helpful resources. Specialists are responsible for performing a variety of professional duties including: 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 the Library units (Family Learning Centers, Early Education, Expanded Learning, College and Career Pathways, Digital Empowerment, Partners in Reading and SJPL Works); and having knowledge of current literacy trends. These positions may include evenings and weekend shifts, Bilingual Skills Preferred.

The salary range for Literacy Program Specialist is approximately $79,060.80 - $95,921.28 annually. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

We are currently recruiting Literacy Program Specialists who are detail orientation and have strong communication skills to implement the City’s Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City’s Education Policy.  

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other units (such as Digital Empowerment, Early Education, ESL and/ or Adult Literacy) or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

 
 
Literacy Program Specialist (FT) - Digital Equity and Empowerment
SJPL leads the citywide implementation of the Digital Equity strategy. The Digital Equity and Empowerment Unit (DE Unit) plays a crucial role in enhancing the success of San Jose residents by offering essential digital equity opportunities. The DE Unit program focuses on providing access to digital skills development, device access, and the promotion of affordable or free internet connectivity through direct services, infrastructure enhancements, and through partnerships with a variety of education agencies and community-based organizations. The Literacy Program Specialist for Digital Equity and Empowerment is responsible for supporting residents in strengthening their digital skills necessary for achieving digital success by:

• Manage the Digital Inclusion Grant Program, an annual grant that awards $500,000 annually to local community-based organizations focused on increasing at-home internet connectivity, device access, and digital skill building.
• Plan and facilitate programs related to Digital Inclusion Month in collaboration with DE Unit
• Build positive relationships with key partners, advisory committee members, community members, and grantees in support of managing a robust and ongoing community engagement and feedback program
• Increase patron participation in efforts to improve programs and services in collaboration with SJPL branch staff 
• Coordinate and assist with associated program(s) preparation and outreach events, grant reporting processes, including data collection, report writing, and presentation development 
• Enhance the formulation of the Digital Skill Building Pathways strategy by prioritizing initiatives aimed at advancing digital skill-building education, workforce development curriculum, and optimizing computer science program opportunities and outcomes for the residents of San José while emphasizing equity-focused and research-based approaches to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum
• Assist in other digital equity programming activities and duties as assigned

Education and Experience 
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.

Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise – 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.

Communication Skills - 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.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution

Collaboration - Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Initiative - 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.

Multi-tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Reliability- Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.


Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
 

• Describe your experience in literacy programming, either relating to early education, college and career pathways, expanded learning or ESL. Also, describe how you have successfully engaged historically underserved/underrepresented communities in the programming.  

 

• Describe what opportunities you have had working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural and inclusive settings. 

 

• Describe a work-related experience that highlights your role in establishing and maintaining successful partnerships. 

 
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
 
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Cyrus Castillo at Cyrus.Castillo@sanjoseca.gov.

Salary : $83,800 - $101,687