Childrens Program Assistant

Town of Vernon; Vernon (CT); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Town of Vernon is seeking a dedicated Children's Program Assistant for the Vernon Public Library. This role supports a welcoming environment and helps deliver children's programs that encourage literacy and development.

The position is part-time, 15-18 hours weekly with required evenings and weekends; compensation ranges from $23.71 to $28.00 per hour, based on qualifications and experience. Training and ongoing professional development are provided.

Qualifications

• Must enjoy working with children and demonstrate respect for them.
• Knowledge of children's literature.
• Ability to present songs, rhymes and fingerplays to an audience.
• Excellent customer service and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to foster positive relationships with the public.
• Must manage time effectively and organize programs; work independently and in a team; and be computer proficient; Google Suite and Canva preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Head of Children's Librarian to plan, prepare, present and evaluate children's programs.
• Plan and conduct programming for children (story times, crafts, STEAM, summer reading, events).
• Design and assist with programs that support literacy, learning, and development for children.
• Purchase and organize supplies for programs.
• Set up and clean up program spaces before and after events.
• Track program attendance and evaluate participation and program success.

Skills

Customer service

Children's lit

Public speaking

Communication

Time management

Independence

Teamwork

Computer proficiency

Google Suite

Canva

Education

High school diploma

Education/child development degree preferred

Job description

Department:

Library Bargaining Unit: Non-Union

Title:

Children's Program Assistant

Salary:

$23.71 - $28.00 (Compensation will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Hours:

Part-Time, 15-18 Hours Per Week - Includes required evening and weekend hours

General Statement of Duties

Under the supervision of the Head of Children's Librarian, the Children's Program Assistant provides exemplary customer service to children, families, caregivers, and other users of the Children's Library and its resources. The Children's Program Assistant assists in the planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of programs and activities that support literacy, learning, creativity, and development for children.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the Head of Children's Librarian.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborates with the Head of Children's Librarian to plan, prepare, present, and evaluate children's programs and activities.
• Plans, conducts, and assists with programming for children, including, but not limited to, story times, crafts, STEAM programs, summer reading programs, and special and seasonal events.
• Designs and assists with programs and activities that support literacy, learning, creativity, and development for children.
• Purchases and organizes supplies and materials necessary for children's programs and activities.
• Sets up and cleans up program spaces before and after programs and special events.
• Tracks program attendance and assists in evaluating participation and program success.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of seasonal events and other special programming.
• Assists with outreach programs and activities for the Vernon community.
• Creates signs, flyers, displays, and other publicity and promotional materials for Children's Library programs and activities.
• Helps children, parents, and caregivers select age-appropriate and interest-appropriate books and materials.
• Helps maintain a welcoming, safe, and orderly environment within the Children's Library.
• Communicates and appropriately applies established Library policies and procedures when assisting children, families, caregivers, and other Library users.
• Maintains regular and reliable on-site, in-person attendance as an essential requirement of the position.
• Works the assigned part-time schedule of approximately 15–18 hours per week, including required evening and weekend hours.

Other Job Functions Duties

• Attends workshops and continuing education programs related to the position.
• Maintains current knowledge of children's literature and developments related to children's library services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Head of Children's Librarian or Library Director.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear and perform repetitive tasks with hands, wrists and arms. May be occasionally required to walk, kneel, use hands to operate, finger, handle or feel objects or controls and reach with hands and arms; may be required to perform repetitive motions. May occasionally be required to lift, push or pull up to 50 pounds. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

Must be able to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption, attend to task for 45-60 minutes at a time, remember multiple assignments given over long periods of time and understand the theories behind several related concepts.

Work is performed in library conditions; work is affected by seasonal fluctuations, such as the school calendar and seasonal programs; The employee operates computers, fax, scanner, copier, and other library and office equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Must enjoy working with and demonstrate respect for children. Must have knowledge of children's literature. Must be able to present songs, rhymes, and fingerplays and speak and perform in front of an audience. Must possess excellent customer service skills and strong oral and written communication skills. Must have the ability to foster positive relationships and deal effectively with the general public. Must be able to manage time effectively and organize programs and materials, remain on task despite interruptions, work independently with minimal supervision, and work effectively as part of a team. Must be computer proficient. Proficiency in Google Suite and Canva is preferred.

Experience & Training: High school diploma required; post-secondary degree in education, child development, or a related field preferred. Prior experience working with children required. Prior library work experience and public programming experience preferred.

License or Certificate: Valid driver's license required. A police background check will be required.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position. EOE/AA/M/F; Adopted: