Youth Services Supervisor

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Elkton Library Branch Manager, the Youth Services Supervisor will lead and manage the Teen and Children’s Services departments at the Elkton branch of the Cecil County Public Library. This position develops, manages, and delivers a full range of effective and innovative programs and services that meet the needs of teens, children, families, and caregivers within the community. Works with the Branch Manager in planning and implementing branch goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manages the daily operations and staff of the Teen and Children’s Services Departments at the Elkton branch. Provides leadership, training, and guidance to youth services staff.
• Provides direct supervision, evaluation, and coaching to full and part-time staff in the Teen and Children’s Services Departments.
• Develops youth services initiatives and programs that are responsive to community needs and enhance services.
• Provides leadership and guidance in developing programming for youth ages birth-17 in Elkton.
• Develops and implements outreach and collaborative programming to the local school system and community based organizations.
• Works with the Branch Manager in establishing and achieving departmental goals within overall system goals.
• Collaborates with the Youth Services and Outreach Supervisor to develop and implement system-wide goals and long range plans for youth services.
• Provides guidance and training to staff in young adult and children’s literature and reference resources, programming, procedures and services.
• Monitors services and develops and make recommendations to the Branch Manager and Youth Services and Outreach Supervisor regarding policies and procedures for the Teen and Children’s Services Departments.
• Manages departmental scheduling and statistics; compile and prepare reports, data and other written work.
• Provides reader’s advisory, reference, and technology assistance to youth, families, and caregivers.
• Collaborates with the Materials Management Selectors to develop, monitor, maintain, and evaluate the teen and children’s collections, ensuring full-service, relevant collections for teens, children, families, and caregivers.
• Keeps informed of and implements use of current technologies to enhance personal and department efficiency as well as patron services.
• Serves on internal and external committees.
• Participates in local and statewide initiatives, training, and associations. Attends seminars, workshops and continuing education activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB STANDARDS:

• Promotes and maintains a high standard of customer service, both internal and external.
• Demonstrates ability to work with a diverse community.
• Models positive attitude toward library technology and change.
• Maintains courteous, friendly, and constructive relationships with patrons and staff.
• Promotes and advocates a positive library image in the community.
• Maintains professional growth and awareness through training, self-directed learning and other means to stay abreast of current and emerging trends in the community and in libraries.
• Performs job in keeping with the adopted policies, procedures, and values of the Cecil County Public Library.
• Demonstrates collaborative, straight forward, team oriented leadership and supervisory methods.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited program or Master’s degree in Education or related field. The candidate must be able to provide documentation to support this as part of the application process. OR
• Candidate must currently be enrolled in an ALA accredited program with the reasonable expectation of graduation within three years of hire. The candidate must be able to provide documentation to support graduate school status as part of the application process.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Professional Public Librarian certification from the Maryland State Department of Education.
• Minimum of 3 years professional library work experience with children and supervision, preferably in a library setting. Demonstrated ability to supervise direct reports at all professional and non-professional levels.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices with demonstrated skills and judgment in supervision and problem solving.
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision.
• Considerable experience working with children ages birth to 17.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and market innovative and effective public library programs, events, collections, and services for children, families, and caregivers.
• Demonstrated skills in staff training and development, and knowledge of the techniques for programming for children.
• Excellent computer skills, including various software packages, knowledge of internet resources and how to use them effectively, knowledge of integrated library systems. Ability to learn new skills and technologies to retain proficiency in areas of expertise.
• Knowledge of Windows operation system, internet resources, social media, and other technologies and how to use them effectively.
• Demonstrated experience with a variety of types of electronic devices for computing, listening, viewing, gaming and new technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of user’s interests, authors, books, readers’ advisory and new materials formats.
• Ability to analyze and organize effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships with supervisors, staff, the community, and members of the public.
• Experience developing, analyzing, and managing innovative and effective library projects.

EQUIPMENT:

Personal computer, laptop, mobile devices, photocopier, printer, AV projection equipment, security system, cash register.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in normal heat and light conditions with some exposure to seasonal draft conditions. Lifts and moves books and materials weighing up to 35 pounds. Some eye fatigue from working at computer terminals; physical fatigue from working at counter height (39”) work surfaces. Some stress from constant public contact. Occasional travel to facilities throughout the county and state using library or own transportation.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT: Exempt

SCHEDULE/HOURS:

37.5 hours per week, requiring scheduled weekend and evening hours. Additional flexibility may be required.

EEO Created 3.2024