2024 - 2025 Library Media Specialist - Elementary School

Elementary School Library Media Specialist
Blue Springs School District
2024-2025 School Year


Position Summary
This is a traveling position. The job of Elementary Library Media Specialist is to support the instructional process with specific responsibility for supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines; collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom issues; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students' parents or guardians regarding instructional programs and student progress.

• This position reports to the Building Principal.
• This position is a Full-Time, benefits eligible position.
• The starting salary for this position is $40,000 - $90,000.
• Salary will be commensurate with Education and Full-Time teaching experience.

Essential Functions

• Teaches district-approved curriculum.
• Evaluates, selects, and orders learning resources.
• Delivers media curriculum outcomes to students in partnerships with other teaching staff.
• Assists teachers in the selection of books and other instructional materials and makes media center materials available to support and enrich the curriculum of the building.
• Plans and supervises the distribution and storage of all media materials and equipment.
• Arranges for interlibrary loan of materials.
• Helps students to develop habits of independent information access and use to develop the skills in the use of instructional materials in relation to learning outcomes.
• Works with teachers in planning those assignments likely to lead to extended use of media center resources.
• Counsels with and gives reading guidance to students who have special reading needs.
• Weeds obsolete and work materials from the collections to reflect changing curriculum needs of the building.
• Supervises the operational routines of the media center.
• On an annual basis analyzes the media program to establish new policies and services as necessary and to determine needs to update technology.
• Creates an environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of students’ work.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional material and provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Communicates regularly with parents/guardians outside normal classroom day by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
• Identifies student needs and makes appropriate referrals and develops strategies for individual education plans.
• Plans and coordinates the work of paraprofessionals, parents/guardians, and volunteers in the classroom and on field trips.
• Evaluates students' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
• Evaluates possible learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as required.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Administers subject specific assessments, district, and/or state tests for the purpose of assessing student competency levels and/or developing individual learning plans.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations; student's achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Analyzes test data for the purpose of enhancing student achievement by directly impacting instruction.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, administration and/or to seek the assistance of district specialists.
• Collaborates with professional learning communities, instructional staff, other school personnel, parents/guardians, business partners, and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Guides students for the purpose of improving performance, health status, and problem-solving techniques.
• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject specific assignments for the purpose of providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements.
• Differentiates classroom work for the purpose of providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning within established lesson plans.
• Directs paraprofessionals, volunteers and/or student workers for the purpose of providing an effective classroom program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Facilitates student learning (e.g., creating a learning environment, integrating technology, arranging field trips, organizing age-appropriate activities, etc.) for the purpose of achieving success in academics, interpersonal, and daily living skills through delivered lesson plans.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic files and records (e.g., grades, test scores, etc.) for the purpose of providing up to date information and/or historical reference in accordance with established administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Manages student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe, optimal learning environment.
• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g., grades, attendance, anecdotal records, lesson plans, progress reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g., classroom, school grounds, fieldtrips, clubs sporting events, dances, etc.) for the purpose of providing a sage and positive learning environment.
• Participates in a variety of building and district teams (e.g., PLC, staff, SAP, department, etc.) for the purpose of contributing to collaborative efforts with the goal of student success.
• Reports incidents (e.g., fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment, and adhering to Education Code and school policies.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Is available to students, parents, school, and district for education-related purposes outside the instructional day.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g., students, teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervises students and paraprofessionals.

Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience/Certificates:
Bachelor's degree required and valid Missouri Teaching Certificate in content area.

Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on subject and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents; skill in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear, frequently required to walk, and sometimes to sit. The employee must occasionally push and/or move up to fifty pounds such as boxes of books or AV/VCR carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, such as to read and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Job Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities (Minimum Qualifications)
Skill-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; researching and gathering relevant data about instruction; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
Knowledge-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: appropriate codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws; age-appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; and behavioral management strategies.
Ability-Based Competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; strong verbal and written communications skills; adapting to changing work priorities; maintain confidentiality; exhibiting tact and patience; and working flexible hours.

Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to the Blue Springs School District. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Equal Opportunity Employer