Saint Paul Public Schools is looking for a library media specialist for Obama Elementary. To apply visit https://www.spps.org/Page/3421 and look for job #1006059.
Saint Paul Public Schools has a growing library media program with 21 licensed library media specialists. Read more about our library department at https://www.spps.org/library. We’d love to have you join our enthusiastic team and make a lasting impact on the students of SPPS.
General Information
Our school is a family-friendly place that works closely with parents to ensure the success of all students. At Obama, our young scholars embrace rich traditions of greatness by learning about the history, culture and contributions of people of African descent throughout the U.S. and the world.
Position Summary
The School Library Media Specialist has the knowledge, expertise and leadership skills to develop, implement, and maintain an information media program that reflects the mission, goals, and objectives of the school and district. The Library Media Specialist collaborates and consults with teachers to integrate technology and information literacy skills into subject matter instruction, provide technology and information literacy skills instruction to students and staff and manage media center operations, programming, and resources.
Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:
• Developing and implementing an information media plan that reflects the vision, mission and goals of the school, is an integral part of the school and district curriculum and is consistent with the principles of professional practice.
• Empowering students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and lifelong learners by instilling a love of learning in all students.
• Ensuring equitable access to information and resources.
• Fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, and openness to new ideas, welcoming and encouraging input from others to create consensus.
• Working with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources.
• In accordance with district policy, evaluating, selecting, circulating and maintaining print, technology and innovative resources that support curriculum and enhance instruction and assessment.
• Working collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the school library program, and to guide and direct all activities related to it.
• Identifying, acquiring and cataloging library resources using Destiny, the District’s online library program.
• Maintaining the library collection including updating and weeding materials and titles regularly.
• Collaborating with teachers and staff to integrate information skills and technology tools across grade levels and disciplines.
• Encouraging the use of instructional technology to engage students and to improve learning, providing 24/7 access to digital information resources for the entire learning community.
• Remaining current in professional practices and developments, information technology, and educational research applicable to school library programs.
• Educating students and staff about copyright, fair use, and ethical use of information.
• Providing professional development to their colleagues in areas related to instructional and technology resources.
• Contributing to the District’s Strong Schools, Strong Communities efforts by partnering with other staff to contribute to student achievement and the alignment and sustainability of resources.
• Perform other related professional level media duties.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating a school media program.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning strategies to meet a wide range of student learning styles and abilities; including ISTE and MEMO standards.
• Knowledge of multicultural, gender and disability fair curriculum concepts.
• Knowledge of research process models and trends in teaching and learning styles.
• Knowledge of ethical use, including copyright and fair use.
• Knowledge of instructional and media-related technologies.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to include the ability to work effectively with students, parents, district staff and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to integrate curriculum and media skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to plan and implement media lessons based upon district and school goals and objectives.
• Ability to adapt teaching styles to diverse student populations.
• Ability to evaluate student performance and to present evaluations in a manner that fosters higher student achievement.
• Ability to work in a cooperative learning environment.
• Ability to utilize computer and multimedia technology as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
A valid library media specialist or librarian license issued by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Preferred Qualifications
• A master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association.
• A minimum of three years of school library media or teaching experience, preferably in the level of the school to which assigned (elementary, junior high or high school).
Pay, Salary, and Benefits
This is a 10 month position working 40 hours per week.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Teachers negotiated labor agreement. The labor agreement and salary schedule can be found at http://hr.spps.org/Labor_Agreements.html. The minimum rate of pay for this position is $44,759 annually.
Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance. A benefits summary is available at http://www.hr.spps.org/Benefits_Summary_by_Union.html.
How To Apply
To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.
The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.
To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the “Additional Attachments” link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments. Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.
Additional Information
Transcript – Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.
Veteran’s Preference – If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran’s preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.
Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks – Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.
Equity Statement
SPPS is committed to eliminating racial disparities and predictability in achievement and to a workforce which embodies this commitment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.