Frederick County (MD) is hiring: Library Associate - Children's Services in Fred

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team.

Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.

Non-exempt; part-time/library benefited; varied days and hours during FCPL regular operating schedule; position subject to system-wide reassignment

Position location:

* Part-time (28 hours/per week) at Walkersville Community Library

* Part-time (20 hours/per week) at Urbana Regional Library

This para-professional position provides comprehensive library services for all patrons, with special emphasis on children's services and programs, and also is involved in a wide range of library activities and operations. Direction may be given to staff as assigned. Supervision is received from the Children's Services Supervisor. In a branch setting, this person may serve as the Librarian-in-Charge (LIC)

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a part-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

* 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment (pro-rated accrual rate)

* 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover (pro-rated accrual rate)

* 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (pro-rated accrual rate)

* 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit

* Participation in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System

* Vesting after 10 years of service

* Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc

* Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program

* Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program

* Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.

* Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

* Under direction, develop and present innovative age-appropriate programs for children and outreach activities as assigned

* Maintain in-depth knowledge of the children's collection and current literature

* Participate in implementation of system-wide programs, events and outreach for children

* Assist patrons of all ages with reference questions or readers' advisory requests

* Assist patrons in using computerized and manual information sources and/or direct patrons to other appropriate sources

* Perform basic bibliographic searches related to inter-library loan requests and reserves

* Explain FCPL policies and procedures to patrons and train patrons on the use of library resources

* Assist with the maintenance of the branch collection in an assigned area

* Working with the Supervisor, assist in planning and implementing marketing activities that communicate the mission and goals of the library and the value of library products and services to the public, organizations, businesses and other community entities

* Actively seek out and engage in opportunities to promote the library in the community

* Establish and maintain working relationships and partnerships with community businesses, organizations, groups and schools, including outreach and programming

* Prepare displays and develop programs to promote reading and other library services

* Recommend materials for acquisition and/or withdrawal

* Participate in department, branch and system-wide work teams

* Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities

* May perform duties as a Notary Public, to include witnessing the signing of documents and verifying their authenticity.

* May perform duties as a Passport Acceptance Agent, to include executing passport applications

* Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

* Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university

* Minimum 6 months work experience working with children aged birth to 5th grade (internships may be considered)

* Minimum 1 year of customer service work experience in retail, education or any other high traffic customer service setting

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

* Ability to obtain and maintain Library Associate certification from the MD State Department of Education, plus willingness and ability to attend training sessions as applicable

* Working knowledge of public library practices and procedures

* Working knowledge of children's literature, developmental stages, and interests

* Knowledge of research techniques and available research materials, as well as general readers' interest, authors, books and other formats of library materials

* Knowledge of standard computer applications and devices including tablets/mobile devices, software applications, and downloadable e-format materials

* Knowledge of age appropriate literature, development stages, and interests

* Working knowledge of social media tools and techniques, and ability to effectively communicate in an online environment to engage customers via social media

* Ability to develop and conduct age appropriate programs, events and activities and perform effectively in front of children, their parents and caregivers

* Ability to effectively access and utilize FCPL's computerized systems and the Internet, and to effectively provide related instruction for patrons

* Ability to learn and integrate emerging technologies and STEM-related educational tools in programming

* Ability to create and market high-quality programming in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

* Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision

* Ability to prioritize, multi-task and effectively manage time in a busy environment

* Ability to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, positive attitude and good judgment

* Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

* Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with patrons, co-workers and the general public, with particular skill in working with children

* Ability to effectively build relationships and partnerships with community organizations, businesses, schools and similar entities

* Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills,

* May require the ability to become a certified Notary for the State of Maryland within 90 days of hire.

* May require the ability to become certified as a Passport Acceptance Agent from the U.S. Department of State within 180 days of hire and maintain certification.

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR

* 1 or more years of recent (within the last 5 years) experience working in a library (not volunteer experience)

* 1 or more years of work experience developing and presenting programs for children aged birth to 5th grade

* Additional work experience providing direct customer service

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

* While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly reach; frequently walk, occasionally sit, stoop and lift up to 20 pounds

* While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors

* During outreach programs and events the employee is frequently working outdoors; working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) working in cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and walking on uneven ground.

* Ability to provide own transportation to meetings/workshops and to various branch Libraries as needed

* Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

* An evaluation of training and experience

* One or more interviews

* A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation