Youth Services Specialist

Position Summary
The Youth Service Specialist provides exceptional youth services to the community. A committed and creative member of the Youth Services team, the Youth Services Specialist creates and delivers effective programs, provides organizational assistance to the youth team, and assists in developing library youth collections in support of strategic goals.

Required Performance Standards

• Communications: Writes and speaks clearly, logically, and concisely. Listens effectively. Demonstrates small and large group communication skills. Keeps colleagues, team members and supervisors well informed. Participates in group discussions.
• Customer Service: Presents welcoming behaviors. Remains helpful and professional with members. Responds quickly and cooperatively to requests from staff or public. Follows Dauphin County Library System’s (The Library) guidelines and training for customer service approach. Demonstrates ability to determine customer's needs. Follows up on customer transactions.
• Analytical Skills/Problem Solving/Decision Making: Uses sound judgment in making decisions. Constructively manages conflict. Works with others to solve problems and achieve results.
• Technological Skills: Demonstrates ability to use computers. Demonstrates ability to access and use the Internet and electronic databases. Demonstrates ability to use and maintain equipment basic to job.
• Workplace Maintenance/Management: Maintains and manages workplace security and safety. Pays attention to personal workspace housekeeping.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Remains calm in difficult, ambiguous, and challenging situations. Responds appropriately to changes in direction and priorities. Adapts personal style to work situations. Takes corrective action when required.
• Interpersonal and Group Relationships: Willing to work with and for others. Supports and facilitates cooperation among others.
• Professional Standards and Ethics: Protects and values member confidentiality and organizational security. Supports mission and vision of The Library. Upholds American Library Association's Library Code of Ethics as interpreted by The Library. Works toward furthering a library-conscious community.
• Professional Development and Leadership: Seeks opportunities to pursue one's personal goals and those of the organization. Sets and models high performance standards. Encourages others to make good decisions and take ownership in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Time and Workflow Management: Manages personal time effectively. Manages workflow effectively.

Environmental Conditions
Primarily work indoors, seated at a desk, using a computer. Travels among facilities. Provides own transportation and is reimbursed accordingly.


Essential Functions

1. Actively engages in an assigned aspect of youth services (early childhood education, school age, collections).

2. Creates and implements youth and parent/provider programs and trainings based on state standards and other recognized best practices.
3. Communicates with community partners, participates in outreach activities, travels to organizations in service area, delivers materials, performs programs, and speaks to groups.
4. Actively engages patrons through public services, including circulation functions, reference, and reader’s advisory services. Explains The Library’s policies and procedures. Implements exceptional customer service.

5. Determines and prioritizes daily assignments using a variety of communication tools.
6. Attends staff meetings and continuing education workshops.

7. Proactively promotes The Library’s programs, collections and services in all library and outreach settings.

8. Assists with the youth collection management.
9. Takes responsibility for a neat and inviting appearance of the youth services areas, including identifying and developing displays and maintaining order of youth materials.

10. Lives by the Core Values.
11. Performs other duties as needed.


The Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Access:

The Library respects and values the uniqueness of everyone, recognizing that each person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission. The Library maintains a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our employment practices, prioritizing diversity by eliminating barriers to the hiring process and encouraging diversity in ideas and viewpoints.

The Library is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
The Library is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, services and programs. To request reasonable accommodation related to the application process, contact the Human Resources department at [email protected] or call 717-234-4961 extension 1113.

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Training: Associate degree in education; or minimum of 2 years of experience in childcare or education setting; BA/BS degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education or 4-year degree with certification in Elementary Education preferred.
Required: Experience with children’s literature and planning and implementing youth programming preferred. Technology experience required. Requires independent transportation for travel to libraries, programs, and outreach locations, professional customer service and communication skills, ability to move library materials within and between locations, ability to retrieve and place books on shelves, sufficient mobility to perform programming for children