Summer Library Assistant Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA

LOCATION: Livingston, LA

SCHEDULE: 40 Hours Weekly

GENERAL INFORMATION

Under the direction of the Library Director, the Head of Community Engagement (HCE) is responsible for creating events and services that connect the library with its community. The HCE is responsible for organizing, planning, developing, and operating library events for all ages, both onsite and off. The HCE is also responsible for overseeing the resources and services available to the Outreach Department and the system's bookmobile. The HCE manages six direct reports and indirectly supervises a portion of the branch-level coordinators' work. Applicants must be flexible, understand modern library programming and events, and be willing to visualize improvements and forecast trend changes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Direct supervisor for the following positions: Adult Services Specialist, Youth Services Specialist, Programming Assistant, Adult Literacy Coordinator, ESL Assistant, and Outreach Manager/Coordinator. Assigns priorities, analyzes operations, and coordinates activities.
• With the help of the above-listed direct reports, the HCE plans and coordinates all aspects of library events, including creating and managing forms and procedures with the Library Administration.
• Works with the Outreach Manager/Coordinator to facilitate positive engagement with the community and works to foster partnerships and bring Outreach services, resources, and events to underserved or remote areas of the parish.
• Ensures the Outreach Department operates at an efficient level and has access to all of the resources and staffing it needs to function at peak capacity.
• Coordinates all aspects of community engagement, including oversight of the development and implementation of recurring and one-time events, coordinating scheduling with Branch Managers, and tracking attendance, statistics, and evaluation of library programs.
• Works events at library branches as needed, as staffing levels dictate, and participates in functions with the Outreach Department offsite, including festivals, school events, etc.
• Monitors and mentors Adult and Youth Coordinators by attending events and offering suggestions for improvements if needed.
• Interprets library policies and procedures, pertinent to related programs and services, for the public and staff.
• Participates in hiring, supervising, training, developing, and evaluating Community Engagement and Outreach staff.
• Develops and implements large-scale library events and chairs planning committees for Comic-Con, Summer Reading Programs, and the Livingston Parish Library Book Festival.
• Develops and maintains positive relations with community partners by promoting partnerships and projects that strengthen the Livingston Parish community.
• Member of the library's Leadership Team. Participates in continuing education at local, state, and national levels.
• Stays up-to-date on topics related to the field of librarianship by attending conferences, participating in professional organizations, and reading professional literature.
• Participates in selection duties as needed in collaboration with the Head of Collection Development.
• Develops and monitors appropriate budgets under the supervision of the Library Director.
• Identifies and seeks grant opportunities.
• Tracks statistics related to department services and events and provides reports to Library Administration as needed.
• Works with the Public Information Officer to inform the patrons of events and library initiatives, through newsletters and social media, as well as identifying opportunities for community partnerships.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to think critically, make sound independent judgments, and decisions.
• Knowledge of the modern principles, methods, and practices of public library management. Ability to ascertain the needs of the community served and to develop programs and events responsive to those needs.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of the department in a conducive environment to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other community organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to develop presentations for community partners that promote library programs and services.
• Ability to manage time effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to resolve problems and conflicts with diplomacy and discretion.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Master's degree in library science,
• Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in professional library work within an adult or youth services department.

Preferred:

• Five or more years of experience working in a public, school, or academic library.
• Experience creating, organizing, and running community events for 100 or more people.
• Experience in public speaking.

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Livingston Parish Library is an equal opportunity employer.

Conditions of employment: completion of assessment test, transcripts of degree earned (if applicable), and successful completion of background check.

Assessment tests are sent via email after the application is completed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each job duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or a significant risk to their own or others' health or safety. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.