Media Specialist (Grades: 6-8)

Dallas Independent School District; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dallas Independent School District is seeking a dedicated School Librarian to lead library services and ensure students effectively engage with information resources. Responsibilities include managing library operations, providing instructional support, and fostering a love for reading among students. Candidates should possess strong organizational and communication skills, along with a relevant Bachelor's degree and Texas Library certification.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a highly qualified teacher.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.
• Working knowledge of library and information science.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage the school library/media center.
• Engage students in using digital and print resources.
• Provide curriculum advice and facilitate collaborative teaching.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Library Science or related field

Texas Library certification

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Description

Purpose:

Provide the leadership under the direction of Library Media Services, to ensure that all students are effective users of ideas and information. Supervise and manage the school library/media center and programs. Provides services and resources that allow students to develop skills in locating, evaluating,synthesizing, and using information to solve problems ( 21 st century skills).

Engage learners through the use of print and digital resources to access, create, and share content as well as collaborate with other learners as global citizens. Serve as a teacher, materials expert, and curriculum adviser to ensure that library/media center is integrated fully into instructional programs of the school. Must have proficiency in engaging learners in a variety of instructional strategies.

Major Responsibilities:

• Use the TEK’s/SE’s as the basis for instruction as well as using library curriculum products including Library Scope and Sequence. Provide group instruction and individual guidance to students to help them locate resources and use research techniques and self-manage their learning.
• Prepare strategic plans to assure meeting School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas.
• Participates as an educational leader, an equal partner, and a change agent in the curriculum development process at both the campus and district levels by consulting with teachers on appropriate use of materials and scheduling of materials for classroom instruction.
• Models and promotes collaborative planning, cooperative teaching, and direct instruction as determined by learners’ needs and state curriculum standards.
• Models and promotes the highest standard of conduct, ethics, and integrity in the use of the Internet and other print and electronic resources and instructs students in the ethical use of resources, to locate, gather, select, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information.
• Provides and promotes ongoing learning opportunities for students and staff that fosters connections that all stakeholders are actively participating and positively engaged, particularly in the areas of integration of information technology and information literacy skills.
• Supervises Media Assistant(s), student aides, and has ability to work with multiple interruptions and multi-task under pressure.
• Provides instructional access to library resources and facilities through open, flexible scheduling of classes, small groups, and individuals and creates an environment, in which students follow acceptable standards of behavior that are conducive to learning.
• Provides a balanced, carefully selected, and systemically organized collection of library resources, print and digitally, that are sufficient to meet student needs and are continuously monitored to be current and relevant in each subject area while positively responding to changes that users need and want in resources and services and are in compliance with the collection development policies of Dallas ISD.
• Implement effective strategies and techniques to systematically perform library management operations such as budgeting; purchasing; scheduling; managing and maintaining facilities and resources; supervising adults, volunteers, and children; reporting; grant writing; and overseeing circulation and inventory.
• Encourages a high level of circulation which includes inter-library loan to facilitate information access beyond the campus and access to resources and information beyond the instructional day.
• Support academic rigor by integrating the teaching of research and information processing skills to ensure students are college ready, workforce ready, and effective life-long users of information while encouraging risk-taking, creativity, and innovation.
• Work cooperatively with the community-at-large and libraries to promote common goals that benefit all students.
• Carry out discipline in accordance with Board policies and administrative regulations.
• Support the students’ right to free selection of materials for enjoyment or information.
• Interact with students to promote positive attitudes toward school library program and love of reading in a safe, secure environment which is age-appropriate.
• Stay abreast of the information culture of students and staff and incorporate this awareness into the library program.
• Exhibits effective communication through oral, written, electronic, and nonverbal expression.
• Comply with Federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and Board policy in the library/media services area.
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the library/media center program and make changes based on the statistical reports and findings.
• Engages in continual self-evaluation and self-directed learning for professional growth and maintains an active interest in appropriate local, state, regional, and national professional associations and publications.
• Performs all the administrative tasks of keeping a library orderly, up-to-date, and functioning properly.
• Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned related to the library program.
• All federally funded incumbents of this position must comply with time and effort reporting requirements through personnel activity reports or periodic certification, as appropriate.
• Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel throughout the district is integral to this job. A remote working environment /alternate work arrangement is not an option for campus-based employees/campus-based positions because regular and punctual attendance at the worksite and performing all duties at the worksite are essential job duties for all campus-based personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a directly related field with valid Texas Library certification, Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years minimally as a highly qualified teacher; bilingual skills a plus.
• Working knowledge of library and information science.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct and manage students in a varied environment.
• Demonstrated strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility to cope with the challenges of a rapidly changing world
• Demonstrated willingness to remain current with the latest developments in the profession

Salary will be based upon the Board approved RELATED INSTRUCTIONAL salary schedule.