District Deployed Elementary Librarian REPLACEMENT - Birney and Travis

Tacoma Public Schools (WA); Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Tacoma Public Schools in Tacoma, WA, is seeking an Elementary Librarian to create a stimulating, welcoming learning environment; promote intellectual freedom; develop a balanced, culturally relevant collection; design innovative activities, inquiry-based lessons, and library programs; inspire lifelong learning.

This position requires a valid WA State teaching certificate with a Library Media endorsement or the ability to obtain it within two years; Elementary Librarians are district deployed and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with Library Media endorsement or related field; ability to acquire endorsement within two years.
• Master’s degree in Library Information Science with School Library focus, preferred, or Master’s in Education with Library Media endorsement with ability to acquire endorsement within two years.
• Two years’ experience as a classroom teacher, preferred; or any combination of experience and training providing knowledge and ability required to perform the work.
• Valid Washington State teaching certification with Library Media endorsement or ability to obtain endorsement within the first two years of employment.

Responsibilities

• Promote intellectual freedom and critical thinking; advocate within the assigned school(s).
• Collaborate with teachers to plan and implement meaningful literacy experiences.
• Design and implement inquiry-based, standards-aligned learning activities with teachers.
• Engage learners with print and digital resources; address varied learning differences; enable global collaboration.
• Empower students through personalized learning experiences to develop problem solving and critical thinking.
• Develop and maintain collections aligned to district goals; promote ethical information use.
• Ensure equitable access to resources with barrier-free environments and 24/7 access.
• Provide professional development to promote best practices and technology integration.
• Orchestrate partnerships with the community for innovative opportunities.

Skills

Instructional technology

Communication skills

Collaboration

Literacy promotion

Equity & access

Education

Bachelor's degree with Library Media endorsement

Master’s in Library Information Science (School Library focus)

Master’s in Education with Library Media endorsement

Job description

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

FTE: 1.0

Hours per day: 7.5 (see below for specific work schedule)

Salary Level: Based on preparation level and experience per TEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Range is $75,462 (BA+0 step 1) through $147,998 (MA+90 step 20)

Union/Days per year: Teacher, 182 work days, 10 month

Benefits:This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Additional Information:This is a REPLACEMENT contract for no longer than the 2026-2027 school year or when the staff member on leave returns to work, whichever occurs first. The anticipated timeframe is fluid, however it begins in September. If the contract should go through the full school year it will end on the last student day in June and any benefits will end on June 30, 2027. The last paycheck will be July 20, 2027.

This position requires a valid WA State Teaching certificate with a Library Media or related endorsement along with a teaching content area endorsement.

Elementary Librarians are District Deployed. Assigned locations could change from year to year based on District needs.

Birney

Half Day AM (3.75 hours) Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Full Dy (7.5 hours) Wed

Travis

Half Day PM (3.75 hours) Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Travel time, lunch and planning on the half days TBD

SUMMARY

This position establishes a stimulating, welcoming environment for the learning community; promotes intellectual freedom and critical thinking; develops a balanced, culturally relevant collection; designs innovative activities, inquiry based lessons, and library programs; inspires the intellectual curiosity essential for lifelong learning.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• 1. Promotes the principles of intellectual freedom and critical thinking by providing services and resources; creates and sustains an atmosphere of free inquiry; serves as an active advocate within the assigned school(s).
• 2. Collaborates with teachers and other pertinent approved individuals to plan and implement meaningful experiences that will promote a love of literacy and lifelong learning.
• 3. Designs and implements inquiry based, standards aligned learning activities, both individually and in collaboration with teachers that reflect the best in current research and practice.
• 4. Engages learners with print and digital resources; uses a variety of materials to address individual learning differences to access, create, and share content, as well as collaborate with other learners as global citizens.
• 5. Empowers students through personalized learning experiences using relevant and real world applications to develop problem solving skills and critical thinking.
• 6. Develops and maintains collections that systematically adheres to District goals and standards.; promotes the ethical and responsible use of information.
• 7. Ensures equitable physical access to learning resources by providing barrier free environments; curates information resources to streamline 24/7 access for the entire learning community.
• 8. Provides professional development opportunities to promote best practices and technology integration; foster intellectual curiosity by creating physical spaces that are inviting, safe, flexible, and innovative.
• 9. Orchestrate collaborative partnerships with the community to create innovative opportunities for all stakeholders.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

• 1. Participates in developing and implementing long-range strategic plans through advocacy and leadership roles; remains current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research.
• 2. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills required for success in the position by participating in professional development activities as needed or as assigned; updates personal competencies in technology utilization, instructional support, and information access; attends staff meetings as called by administrators and serves on staff committees.
• 3. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
• 4. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

Experiences frequent interruptions; may be confined to work station for prolonged periods; may be required to work with and defuse, if appropriate, difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; may have to be out in inclement weather to supervise students; may be exposed to high noise levels; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree with Library Media endorsement or related field; or ability to acquire endorsement within two years; Master’s degree in Library Information Science with School Library focus, preferred, or Master’s in Education with Library Media endorsement with ability to acquire endorsement within two years, preferred; two years’ experience as a classroom teacher, preferred; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Valid Washington State teaching certification in appropriate endorsement area. Library Media endorsement recognized by the state of Washington or the ability to obtain endorsement within the first two years of employment.

Completion of all District required trainings, as assigned.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/Sexual Misconduct clearance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of childhood intellectual, social, physical, and emotional development.

Knowledge and skill in instructional principles, methods, and techniques.

Knowledge of various assessment tools.

Skill in classroom management.

Skill in instructional technologies.

Skill in effective communication.

Skill in customer service.

Skill in operating a variety of library media equipment and the technology required.

Ability to operate a personal computer with word processing software applications.

Ability to obtain, clarify and exchange information.

Ability to organize and coordinate activities.

Ability to perform effectively as a team member.

Ability to be flexible and adaptable.

Ability to analyze data and drive instruction.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.

Ability to serve as an effective role model for social, emotional and behavior skills development, including speech and language.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.