Library Specialist I-III - Outreach Services

City of Chesapeake Virginia; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chesapeake seeks a Library Specialist I-III in Outreach Services to deliver engaging, community-facing library programs across daycares, schools, and community sites. This role emphasizes literacy promotion, technology sharing, and creative programming for all ages.

Candidates should demonstrate excellent customer service, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree for Library Specialist I and II.
• Library Specialist III requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Experience in supervisory roles is preferred for higher levels.

Responsibilities

• Deliver off-site library services and programs to children, teens, and adults.
• Explain and assist with library services and literacy skills.
• Provide story times, craft kits, STEM/STEAM activities, and promotional materials.
• Create events using the library’s booking platform and reserve vehicles.
• Prepare reports using Microsoft Suite and the ILS.
• Drive library vehicles and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Support and mentor library volunteers.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Team player

Community outreach

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (III level)

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Teams

Event calendars/room booking

Job description

Library Specialist I-III - Outreach Services

Library Specialist I-III is located in Outreach Services at 298 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322.

This opportunity is available to current City of Chesapeake employees. As the City of Chesapeake and Chesapeake Public Schools are separate governmental entities, employees of Chesapeake Public Schools are not included in the City employee eligibility requirement.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Valid Driver's License Required.

An in-basket exercise may be administered to the candidates selected for an interview.

An acceptable criminal history and Child Protective Services reports are required.

The selected candidate may be transferred to work at another area library, if and when a need arises.

Please specify whether employment was Part Time or Full Time for each job listed on your application and resume.

Voluntary Career Progression Plan Available. This is an approved Career Progression Plan position that allows employees to be advanced to the appropriate next level position within their current division.

Working Title of Vacant Position Library Specialist I-III - Outreach Services

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Type: City Employees Only

Number of Vacancies: 1

Department: CHES LIBRARY SYSTEM

Division: LIBRARIES ADMIN

Requisition Number: 2026396

Number of hours worked per week: 40 hours per week

Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Work Schedule: Schedules will change to accommodate evening, weekend, and after-hours programming.

Position Driving Requirement: R - Routine

Pay Grade: GE04

Pay Basis: Semi-Monthly

Library Specialist I: $39,543-$58,820

Library Specialist II: $41,544-$61,797

Library Specialist III : $45,852-$68,205

Actual starting salary depends on education and relevant experience.

Are you passionate about connecting with your community and creating meaningful experiences? Chesapeake Public Library (CPL) is looking for an enthusiastic, customer-focused individual to join our team as a Library Specialist in Outreach Services.

At CPL , we believe in making room at the table for everyone, creating vibrant hubs inside and outside our buildings that are full of energy and opportunity. The Outreach team delivers on our mission to educate, empower, and connect our community through services to children, teens, and adults. If you’re ready to make a difference, grow your skills, and be part of a library system that values relationships, creativity, and community — we’d love to meet you.

What We’re Looking For:

• Outgoing, engaging, and ready to dive into self-paced, people-first environment.
• A natural communicator with excellent customer service and organizational skills.
• Resourceful, dependable, and comfortable juggling multiple tasks; taking initiative to identify and complete essential, operational tasks.
• A team player who also thrives working independently.
• Excited about promoting literacy, sharing technology, and delivering innovative programs that inspire and educate.

In This Role, You’ll:

• Work closely with a supportive and passionate team.
• Help bring library services directly into the community.
• Engage with people of all ages through creative programming and outreach events.
• Represent CPL with positivity and professionalism as you build relationships with peers, partners, and patrons alike.

Responsibilities Include:

• Deliver engaging off-site services and programs to children, teens, and adults with visits to daycares, schools, senior facilities, neighborhoods, and community sites.
• Explain and assist with library services, readers advisory, and aid in digital literacy skills to adults of all ages and abilities through encouragement and patience.
• Provide story times and craft kits, STEM / STEAM activities, Readers Advisory, create displays, and promotional materials.
• Utilize the library’s booking platform to create events and reserve vehicles.
• Prepare reports and records using Microsoft Suite and the library’s integrated library system (ILS).
• Follow-up on outreach requests to clarify and confirm details with library partners and staff.
• Research and create requisition orders to maintain outreach equipment and supplies.
• Verbally communicate with the general public and library partners on library services, programs and events.
• Mentor and instruct library volunteers to provide community outreaches.
• Regularly drive the city and library fleet, which includes reserving vehicles, transporting library materials, and tracking and maintaining vehicle operations.
• Setup outreach events, including tents, tables, lawn games, and library resources.
• Provide circulation assistance with shelving, updating patron information and library cards, placing holds, discards, and donations.
• Maintain outreach equipment, supplies, and library collection.
• Meet frequent physical demands of the position, including but not limited to lifting, kneeling, bending, and using ladders.
• Work at an assigned library branch when needed.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

Vocational/Educational Requirement:

Library Specialist I: Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree.

Library Specialist II: Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree.

Library Specialist III : Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

Library Specialist I: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience, including some supervisory experience.

Library Specialist II: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of three years of related, full-time equivalent experience including some supervisory experience.

Library Specialist III : In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of five years of related, full-time equivalent library experience or customer service experience including some supervisory experience. Three years of public library experience is preferred.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards depending on department.

Library Specialist II: One year of public library experience is preferred.

Special Requirements: Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Experience Requirements stated above should be within the last five years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public Library related experience desired but working in areas of youth development, event planning, or STEM / STEAM experience will be considered.
• Experience in developing programs and activities for children, tweens, and teens or our aging population.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Experience with MS Teams, event calendars, and room booking platforms are a plus.

Job Open Date: 08/11/2026

Job Close Date: 08/18/2026

Open Continuous No

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands H=Heavy - Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 25-50 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs constantly.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing

Standing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Sitting

Sitting Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Walking

Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Lifting

Lifting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Carrying

Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Carrying Weight

Carrying Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs

Pushing/Pulling

Pushing/Pulling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Reaching

Reaching Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Handling

Handling Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Fine Dexterity

Fine Dexterity Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Kneeling

Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Crouching

Crouching Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Crawling

Crawling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Bending

Bending Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Twisting

Twisting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Climbing

Climbing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Balancing

Balancing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Vision

Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Hearing

Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Talking

Talking Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Foot Controls

Foot Controls Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Automated Material Handling ( AMH ) equipment, SMART kiosk (Library Payment Center), copier, computer, self-checkout stations, cash register, debit/credit card machine, telephone, fax machine, mobile devices (eReaders, tablets), Studio equipment (Cricut, 3D printer, Glowforge) and related software, HoldIt locker, Pay Station Elite, Transit Vans and hybrid compact SUVs, and related equipment/mechanics, calculator, barcode reader, stepstools, variety of library materials.

Protective Equipment Required

Seat belt restraints required in vehicles.

Health and Safety

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Mechanical Hazards

D = Daily

Chemical Hazards

M = Several Times Per Month

Electrical Hazards

M = Several Times Per Month

Fire Hazards

N = Never

Explosives

N = Never

Communicable Diseases

D = Daily

Physical Danger or Abuse

N = Never

Other

If Other, Description

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Dirt and Dust

D = Daily

Extreme Temperatures

S = Seasonally

Noise and Vibration

D = Daily

Fumes and Odors

W = Several Times Per Week

Wetness/Humidity

S = Seasonally

Darkness or Poor Lighting

N = Never

Primary Work Location

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures

Time Pressures Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Emergency Situations

Emergency Situations Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Frequent Change of Tasks

Frequent Change of Tasks Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Tedious or Exacting Work

Tedious or Exacting Work Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Noisy/Distracting Environment

Noisy/Distracting Environment Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Other

If Other, Description

Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

No