OPL Ambassador

Town of Oakville; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local public service organization seeks a Summer temporary position in Oakville, Ontario. The role involves promoting library services, engaging with the community through outreach events, and building meaningful relationships with residents. Ideal candidates are enthusiastic, possess excellent communication skills, and have experience in customer service. Starting May 11, 2026, this position offers $18.34 per hour and requires candidates to work in various locations, including both indoor and outdoor settings.

Qualifications

• Experience engaging people in a customer-focused environment.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Experience with social media and promotion.

Responsibilities

• Promote library services and build community relationships.
• Support outreach through events and presentations.
• Engage community members in library programs.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Customer engagement

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Basic understanding of library services

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Bicycle riding

Job description

Overview

Employment Status: Summer temporary position (CUPE 5348)

Reason for Vacancy: Summer position

Hours: 35 hours per week (regularly includes evening and weekend work)

Location: This varies depending upon assignment but includes OPL branches and community-based locations. Assignments include both indoor and outdoor locations.

Rate of Pay: $18.34 per hour

Start Date: May 11, 2026, for 15 weeks (position ends August 22, 2026)

Posting Status: OPL has requested for this position to be funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. Please review the candidate eligibility requirements below.

What you'll do

• Represent the OPL positively in the community, fostering goodwill and enthusiasm for library services, resources, and programs while adhering to the AODA's Customer Service Standard and promoting exceptional customer experiences within all interactions.
• Engage with residents through outreach and activations to build meaningful relationships. Actively promote OPL services, resources, collections, and programs to increase awareness of and engagement with it.
• Facilitate engagement and promote the OPL enthusiastically through various forms of outreach, including large-scale festivals, community events, pop-up activations, Book Bike activities, and presentations to community partners.
• Utilize the OPL's Library on the Go Book Bikes to travel within the community and support outreach and promotional efforts to ensure a variety of locations and audiences are reached.
• Ensure the book bike is well-maintained, stocked with appropriate materials, and safely ridden to assigned locations.
• Assist individuals in signing up for library cards, explain membership benefits, and guide them on how to access library services.
• Highlight unique resources such as the Creation Zone and specialized collections to inspire community members to explore physical library locations.
• Provide hands-on demonstrations of digital resources such as E-Books, databases, and mobile apps, encouraging community members to explore them further.
• Distribute marketing and promotional materials and items.
• As needed, support creating marketing content, such as videos and photos for various platforms.
• Track engagement metrics and report qualitative and quantitative measures of success, including attendance, interactions and feedback from outreach efforts.
• Work independently and as a team member to prepare and complete all assigned projects and tasks. Communicate effectively with the Program Development and Marketing teams through feedback and regular check-ins.
• Comply with the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, other relevant health and safety legislation, and the Oakville Public Library’s Health & Safety Program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Is this a good fit for you?

We're looking for someone who can:

• Comfortably initiate conversations and engage with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Exhibits exceptional communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey information about library services, resources, collections and programs in a friendly, enthusiastic manner and to maintain attention and interest during interactions by tailoring communication to suit different audiences.
• Connect with others to build relationships while energetically promoting the library’s mission and values.
• Quickly learn and apply a basic understanding of library resources, services, collections and processes.
• Use software and equipment such as Microsoft Suite, virtual meeting spaces, iPads, and video recording.
• Utilize strong organizational and time management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Work at any branch location, community location or outside as assigned. Be prepared to work across multiple locations as assigned.
• Work outdoors and safely ride the OPL Book Bikes as assigned.
• Identify improvements, recognize challenges and actively problem-solve as needed.
• Able to think on your feet and adapt to unexpected challenges or situations.
• Able to manage difficult situations or interactions diplomatically and professionally.
• Work independently and collaboratively to complete all assigned tasks and projects successfully.

Your experience and educational background

• Experience engaging people in a customer-focused and busy environment.
• Experience with public speaking
• Experience with social media, content marketing, or promotion.
• Experience with planning and executing outreach activities, events or community projects
• Experience managing event details such as setup and troubleshooting logistics onsite.
• Knowledge of essential bike maintenance and bike safety. Ability to ride a bicycle.
• Experience working as part of a team to accomplish a common goal.
• Familiarity with OPL and the Oakville community is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Physical and mental stamina are required in this busy multi-tasking environment.
• Comfortable riding a bike on various terrains, including parks and trails, for extended periods (up to 1 hour) while complying with all health and safety requirements.
• Combination of indoor and outdoor locations. Must be prepared to work outside in a range of weather temperatures and conditions.

Candidate eligibility requirements of the Service Canada – Canada Summer Jobs Program grant

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment*
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment**
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.

**International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada. Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa are ineligible. As the objective of the Canada Summer Jobs program is to support youth entering the Canadian labour market, the temporary nature of an international student’s time in Canada does not allow for a long-term connection to the labour market.

Who are we?

Oakville Public Library strives to fulfill our mission of cultivating discovery and creativity in every phase of life. We are focused on exceptional customer service to meet the needs of the children, youth, adults, and seniors utilizing our physical or online services. We continue to be agile in our mandate to meet the needs of the residents of Oakville.

What's it like to work at Oakville Public Library?

It's challenging, stimulating, and hugely rewarding. Our positions offer tremendous diversity and excellent opportunities for professional growth. Every day, we commit to providing access to tangible resources and programs that inspire, encourage, and provoke thought for the residents of Oakville.

Applications will be accepted online at www.opl.on.ca in the current opportunities section no later than midnight on February 5, 2026.

Oakville Public Library uses the Town of Oakville’s recruitment software. The Town’s recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short-listing of qualified candidates.

The Oakville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process upon request. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

A Security Clearance Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening will be required for all employees and volunteers of the Oakville Public Library. Successful applicants must submit the Security Checks (dated within the last six months) prior to or on the first day of employment.

The Oakville Public Library endeavours to provide a safe environment for all its employees. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.