CITY OF BOULDER Bilingual Youth Services Specialist Salary in the United States

The City of Boulder is a great place to live, work, grow and play.

With over 300 miles of dedicated bikeways and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, Boulder values active lifestyles and access to nature. Forty-five thousand acres of land provide open space for parks, and a green belt around the city.  With world class restaurants and art and music venues, The City of Boulder values diverse culture.

Respect is one of our five City Values (including Customer Service, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation) and we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and support our differences across all spectrums, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, disability and sexuality. Through our focus on Racial Equity, our employee benefits, and the many programs resources we offer our staff, we continually strive to weave respect for one another into the fabric of our organization. 

Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help us grow in service excellence for an inspired future.


OVERVIEW OF ROLE:
The Bilingual Youth Services Specialist will provide youth services and outreach to Boulder's youth population with a focus on Spanish speaking youth and families. This position will also deliver off-site outreach and programs in the community, especially Spanish-speaking communities, and assist with developing outreach programs with a focus on early literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) to deliver to Boulder Latinx communities. The Bilingual Youth Services Specialist is charged with modeling quality customer service behaviors which align with the Library customer service model and City Values.  The specialist will be attentive, adaptable, and patron-facing.Customer Service

• Creates a pleasant, customer friendly atmosphere for patrons at the library through:

1. Positive interactions with patrons, maintaining fair and equitable application of library policies and procedures.
2. Responding to and resolving customer issues that may include library policy interpretation and library space use.
3. Keeping informed of patron needs and requests regarding library collections and services
4. Communicating professionally with all age-level persons, either in person, on the telephone, or via email to conduct library business as necessary.

• Interacts with the public and Library staff to exchange routine information and acts as a resource for other staff in their interactions with youth.
• Instructs patrons in library procedures and use of library materials, including the library catalog, databases and downloadable materials (eBooks, streaming audio and video, etc.) while maintaining a general knowledge of resources available in the Children's, Teens', and the larger library collection.

 
Knowledge of Youth Services

• Maintains an understanding of the needs of youth from several perspectives including cognitive development, emotional and social development, and educational development.

 
Programming

• Creates and provides simple early literacy activities for children and their caregivers.
• Performs a weekly Spanish storytime for Spanish speaking populations.
• Under the direction of the Youth Services Manager, plans, schedules, promotes and administers a variety of programs for children. Provides back-up for programs by preparing the space, introducing performers or leading the program. 
• Assists with the implementation and administration of the annual Summer of Discovery program.

 
Outreach

•    At least 10% of schedule, plans, develops, schedules, and delivers off-site outreach programs and events to increase awareness of underserved community member about library resources and services. Helps identify and build relationships with outreach partners in the community. This includes but is not limited to:

1. Coordinates the development of outreach priorities and delivering offsite programs and events with department staff, focusing on Spanish speaking communities. 
2. Assists with the development of programs focused on early literacy and STEAM to deliver in the community.
3. Creates and maintains an annual calendar for outreach in coordination with department staff.
4. Schedules outreach events in the online calendar.
5. Assist with coordinating and executing large-scale outreach events and library festivals such as Book Rich Environment giveaways and Family Play Festival
6. Weekly outreach activity will vary, depending on time of year.

• Coordinates and conducts on-site outreach activities including tours of the library.
• Coordinates with local schools to provide school tours and visits to local schools to promote library programs and services. 

Reader's Advisory and Collection Management

• Compiles for patrons reading lists of recommended materials on issues relating to children and types of books that are frequently requested.
• Creates displays of topical interest, including specialized collections of books and materials to encourage reading and provide information in those areas.
• Assists with collection maintenance such as weeding, making purchasing suggestions and day-to-day upkeep.

REQUIRED CANDIDATE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Spanish fluency: Written and spoken Spanish language fluency and comprehension to perform Spanish storytimes and perform outreach to Boulder's Spanish speaking communities.

• Knowledge of Youth Services: Experience working with children and teens in a group setting including programming experience. Knowledge of application of Every Child Ready to Read 2 and early literacy practices to library programming and services. Knowledge and respect for developmental needs of children from birth through adolescence.
• Customer Service: Experience and ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from a variety of backgrounds, ages and abilities. Knowledge of and efficient use of a variety of library resources to provide excellent customer service to youth, families, teens and caregivers.

• Written and Oral Communication: Interest, desire and ability to communicate courteously and effectively with and provide services to others, including the public, both in person, by telephone and via email. Well-developed keyboard skills.  Familiarity with personal computers and appropriate software.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of two years previous library experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience with youth.  Written and spoken Spanish language fluency and comprehension are required. Ability to work under minimal supervision. 
 

• Willingness and flexibility to work a schedule that includes evenings and weekends. 
• Access to transportation, and ability to transport self to outreach and other work events, independently.

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Collaboration: Experience working in a team environment and ability to work independently.
• Specific customer service to Spanish-speaking communities: Experience working with Latinx community groups.
• Knowledge of children's and teen literature: Familiarity with children's and teen literature in order to provide excellent readers' advisory to 0 to 18 year old patrons and their caregivers.
• Programming: Experience with scheduling, coordinating, contracting and promoting varied programs, preferably in a library setting. 
• Sierra Integrated Library System: Experience with Innovative Interfaces, Inc. automated library system.  
• Time Management: Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects over extended periods of time.
• Collection Development: Knowledge of library collection development and automated library circulation systems. 

The City of Boulder provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days from 1/29/2020 after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.