School Librarian

Our public school students need your expertise, passion and leadership.

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central services employees.

DCPS serves 50,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 118 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central services staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.

Position Overview

The School Librarian position is located in all public schools within the DCPS system. Situated at the center of national government, the goal of DPCS is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them to become future leaders, productive citizens, and individuals who are engaged in the life of the community. This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

The School Librarian will report to the Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Identifies and supports the learning and information needs of students and staff.

• Plans and works collaboratively with teachers to use appropriate resources that address curricular needs and learning goals.

• Leverages district curriculum (i.e., Cornerstones) or other strategies towards supporting a balanced approach to learning and library programs.

• Instructs students and staff in the effective use of the school library, its resources, and the current technologies necessary to access the resources and information.

• Incorporates information literacy into day-to-day instruction; and advocates and promotes reading and life-long learning through motivational activities.

• Adheres to and communicates copyright as well as other laws and guidelines pertaining to the distribution and ethical use of all resources.

• Advocates the principles of intellectual freedom; and works cooperatively with other libraries and agencies to share resources that enhance teaching and learning.

• Works with the principal and school leadership team to provide flexible access to school library resources to accommodate individuals and groups simultaneously.

• Organizes school library facilities and resources in a manner that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of DCPS schools and maximizes intellectual and physical access to resources.

• Encourages the widest possible use of print and electronic resources and services-within the school library, throughout the school, and through remote access.

• Develops and implements an ongoing collection development and evaluation planning process, that focuses on a variety of formats and resources to meet diverse learning needs.

• Prepares budget requests, administers library budgets, and maintains appropriate records; and prepares and submits accurate reports as required.

• Evaluates and selects resources that build a collection addressing curricular needs and learning goals in collaboration with teachers, technology staff, and students.

• Evaluates the school library program on a continual basis according to accepted standards of quality; and adheres to established laws, policies, rules, and regulations.

• Interacts effectively with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community to promote and expand the school library media program; and serves as a technology leader for the school supporting online learning, digital content integration, and liaison with the district Educational Technology team at Central Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.

• Masters degree in Library and Information Science. A Master’s degree in Education is acceptable, applicant must provide evidence of intent to complete required OSSE licensure course by applying and being admitted to an accredited graduate program in library science. Licensure will require this confiremation as part of the initial licensure application.

• Current K-12 School Librarian teaching credential through the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education; or the met the licensure requirements for the Standard School Librarian license for those candidates that already have a master's in education and two years of experience serving in a library setting; within 24 months of the initial DC OSSE school librarian license.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.