Youth Engagement Specialist (40hr) Southeast Branch

Job Title: Youth Engagement Specialist -(40 hr./Non-Exempt/Full-time)

Location: Southeast Branch

Starting Pay Range: $21.28 – $28.61 hourly (commensurate with experience) 

Note: For internal candidates, pay adjustments are made in accordance with our Compensation and Salary Administration policy

Our Commitment to Diversity

Open to all doesn’t just apply to our customers, it applies to our hiring practices as well. We put respect at the top of our values and that’s how we treat our candidates and employees. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is committed to equal employment opportunity and adheres to these principles in decisions regarding hiring. The Library does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based upon their sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, color, ancestry, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, familial status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

At Columbus Metropolitan Library, we are striving to build a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. Learn more about Our Employee Experience: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/careers/employee-experience/.

What We Offer: 

• A robust benefits package that supports your physical, mental, and financial well-being. 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to meet your healthcare needs. 
• A qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs for your peace of mind. 
• Generous paid time off and leave options to balance your work and personal life. 
• Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and additional investment & savings plans. 
• A variety of voluntary and supplemental insurance plans to complement your lifestyle.

Comprehensive overview of our benefits: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/employee-benefits/

About the Position:

As a Youth Engagement Specialist, you will create a positive and enriching experiences by engaging youth and their caregivers in conversation and activities and promoting literacy and reading. You will help develop and deliver quality programs and informal engagements aligned with our library’s Young Minds Strategy, designed to help youth establish the foundation for a successful life. Additionally, you may conduct outreach to schools and other organizations serving youth and/or perform collection management activities.

The Young Minds Strategy focuses on three (3) categories:

• Ready for Kindergarten; building kindergarten readiness skills for ages 0-5
• Third Grade Reading; supports and promotes early literacy development for K-3rd grade
• High School Graduation; support and preparation for tweens and teens

Position Schedule

• Monday-Thursday (9:00am to 6:00pm) w/ one (12:00pm to 9:00pm) shift
• Friday/Saturday rotation (9:00am to 6:00pm)
• Sundays 1:00pm - 5:00pm (as assigned)

What You’ll Do:

• Proactively provides a high level of customer service by engaging youth and families in usage of library resources, activities and programs.
• Creates a safe, welcoming environment that balances a fun atmosphere, engaging activities and relationship building, while supporting youth development and learning. 
• Plans, promotes and presents programs and informal engagements for children of all ages at the location and off-site.
• Answers customer questions and provides customer service throughout the building. Makes referrals by locating appropriate sources of information using a variety of tools and resources.
• Connects with schools and community organizations to promote Young Minds programs and services through presentations, community events and networking.
• Works to diffuse youth confrontations, mediate and reduce tensions.
• Performs collection management activities for juvenile materials as directed. Creates displays and merchandises materials.
• Directs volunteer and volunteen activities including orienting, training and scheduling.
• Ensures that the children’s and teen areas are neat, orderly and appealing to customers and staff.
• Maintains personal skills and knowledge through engagement with library trainings, reviewing resources and professional development conversations with other youth services staff members.
• Utilizes computer applications and library equipment, maintains current knowledge of system wide and location specific procedures, processes, policies and operations. 
• Supports library policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct, by following up with customers when necessary; alerts Security Officer and/or manager about suspicious behavior and similar risks to safety and security.
• Performs other duties as assigned including serving on taskforces, committees, etc.
• Assumes responsibility for the operation of the location in the absence of a manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 2-3 years’ experience working with youth or community engagement required.
• Experience delivering programs and services to diverse audiences preferred. 
• Interest and ability to serve and develop rapport with youth and their caregivers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to operate library technology including personal computer, email, software programs (i.e., Windows/Microsoft Office) and other job-related equipment and systems.
• Ability to utilize reliable transportation to promptly report to job assignment and other locations, per job requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: 

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles (e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, and/or working in moderate outdoor weather conditions).

Work requires occasional lifting or pushing of up to 50 lbs. and the frequent lifting or pushing of up to 20 lbs.