CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN
City of Watertown—Watertown Regional Library
Salary Grade 4- $3179/month
Application Deadline: Monday, August 14, 2017 – 5:00 P.M.
Human Resources Office, 23 2nd Street NE, PO Box 910, Watertown, SD 57201
Application Forms and complete position descriptions are available at City Hall Finance Office or online at http://www.watertownsd.us/Jobs.aspx. Applications must be received in the Human Resources Coordinator’s office at City Hall no later than 5:00 P.M., Monday, August 14, 2017, to be considered for this position.
Position Title: Children’s Librarian
Statement Of Duties
Position is responsible for coordinating and supervising activities for children including planning, organizing and directing programs and events; performing collection development for children’s library materials; providing education, information and assistance to patrons and the community; and responding to inquiries, requests and complaints. Position leads and oversees the Youth Services team providing programs and services for youth from birth through grade twelve (12).
Supervision
Employee works under the general direction of the Library Director. Employee plans and prioritizes work in accordance with standard procedures and previous training and is expected to solve problems by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with the supervisor, but ordinarily the employee plans and performs work independently.
Employee supervises one (1) seasonal employee, and part time employees as assigned. Employee may provide input into the hiring and any disciplinary actions involving the employees on the Youth Services team.
Job Environment
The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines for performing work include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Employee uses judgment to analyze specific situations and determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Assignments typically involve coordinating and supervising programs, assessing community needs, supervising staff, and providing information and assistance to the public.
Errors could result in a delay or loss of service and/or monetary loss.
The position has constant contact with children, teenagers, parents, staff, teachers, early childhood educators, media, vendors, other city departments, local groups and organizations. The purpose for these contacts is to respond to inquiries, requests, or complaints, render services, give or receive information, attend meetings, and/or coordinate projects. Contacts are made in person, on the telephone, or in writing.
Position Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Essential Functions
1. Coordinates “Story Time” and other planned events and programs for children from birth through grade four (4) including promotion to the appropriate audience, determining amount of people who can be accommodated and deciding appropriate activities.
2. Oversees Youth Services employees providing programs and services for youth from birth through grade twelve (12); provides training; assigns and evaluates work.
3. Allocates budget for purchase of new and replacement materials; reads book reviews to select best material to suit library user’s needs with regard to quantity, reading levels, and formats; classifies new materials according to reading level and genre; determines shelving placement of materials.
4. Reviews collection and withdraws material considering condition, timeliness, accuracy and usage.
5. Coordinates outreach programming to area child care centers and out of school care programs. Performs booktalks, school visits, storytimes and library tours. Designs displays, bulletin boards, and crafts.
6. Conducts meetings and seminars to educate the community on the importance of reading to children; attends meetings and seminars to remain abreast of changes in the field; remains abreast of current literature, educational structure, curriculum standards, and other issues that may concern children and/or library operations.
7. Assists in the design of the state sponsored summer reading program. Plans the local reading program for birth through grade 4, varying the schedule to accommodate the needs of the program participants and individuals with disabilities, both mental and physical. Reviews materials to determine appropriateness for grade level.
8. Writes grants to obtain funding for materials; administers funds accordingly.
9. Responds to requests, inquiries and/or complaints from patrons; assists patrons in selecting appropriate materials for children at various reading levels, proficiency and interest; answers reference questions; assists patrons in the use of computers; finds appropriate resources and refers patrons to alternative sources if information is not available in house.
10. Performs circulation duties; receives, processes and distributes materials to patrons; assesses the condition and content of returned materials; corresponds with previous borrower if damage has been done; checks out materials to patrons, explains borrowing terms and policies.
11. Serves as the person responsible for the operation of the library during scheduled evenings and weekends including the oversight of part time staff when working evening or weekend hours.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications
Physical and Mental Requirements
Employee works in a moderately loud office environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions related to in-town travel. Employee is required to stand, walk, talk, listen and use hands more than 2/3rd of the time; sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach with hands and arms up to 1/3rd of the time. Employee frequently lifts up to 30 lbs. and occasionally moves with cart up to 60 lbs. Normal vision is required for the position. Equipment operated includes an automobile, hand tools, office machines and computers.
Education and Experience
A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred and two (2) years of library experience; program planning experience; and experience working with children; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. A candidate for this position is required to have a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
A candidate for this position should have:
• Knowledge of library principles, children’s literature and reference resources, and child development and issues as they pertain to the position;
• Skills in public speaking and storytelling, grant writing, computer programs and applications, hand/eye coordination;
• Ability to work effectively with children, teenagers, parents, teachers and caregivers;
• Ability to coordinate and direct programs;
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships; and
• Ability to pay attention to detail.
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred and two (2) years of library experience; program planning experience; and experience working with children; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. A candidate for this position is required to have a valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements
Must establish residency within 35 miles of the Watertown Regional Airport terminal within six months of hire date.
Miscellaneous Information
Veteran’s preference points are acknowledged in the City’s hiring process. The City of Watertown’s Personnel Policy, including the City’s policy on Nepotism, can be obtained at the City Finance Office or on our Website at www.watertownsd.us. The City of Watertown does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. EOE Human Resources Office City of Watertown, SD
Original posting and application information