Public Services Specialist - Early Childhood (part-time)

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An established community library is seeking a passionate Public Services Specialist for Early Childhood. In this part-time role, you will engage with young children and their caregivers, providing exceptional customer service and creating enriching programs that spark curiosity and foster a love for reading. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality service, instructing patrons on library resources, and developing educational content tailored to the needs of families. If you have a knack for communication, a love for literature, and a desire to impact the lives of young children, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Disability Coverage

Accidental Death Benefits

Qualifications

• High School diploma required; customer service experience preferred.
• Knowledge of child development and contemporary children's literature is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct customer service and support for library materials and technology.
• Create and present age-appropriate programs for young children.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Knowledge of Child Development

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to Work Independently

Ability to Work in Teams

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Post-secondary Education

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Library Tools and Learning Resources

Job description

Public Services Specialist - Early Childhood (part-time)

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is looking for a Public Services Specialist – Early Childhood who is energetic, an effective communicator, organized, and has a passion for sparking curiosity with young children in our community.

This position provides direct service support to customers for their information, reading and technology questions needs in person, over the phone, and online. Excites customers about learning and reading. In addition, this position creates and presents programs, classes, learning experiences, displays, and digital content focused on a wide range of learning needs of customers, especially young children aged birth to five and their significant adults. They drive their own vehicles to various locations throughout the community and are reimbursed by the Library for mileage.

As the Public Services Specialist – Early Childhood some of the things you will do are:

• Provides indirect and direct customer service. Delivers high quality customer service by assisting customers with library materials, digital resources, technology equipment, information needs, or other services. Engages with customers in person, over the phone, by email, by text messaging, or by chat services. Promotes the use of services, materials, and programs to customers. These interactions may occur in the library or in the community, including at outreach sites and locations.
• Instructs customers on how to locate, reserve, and check out materials. Instructs customers on how to locate and register for services. Troubleshoots issues related to services, materials, and technology use. Communicates well with children and adults. Interactions may take place in the library or in the community as outreach.
• Maintains collections and spaces for ease of use, attractiveness, and general upkeep.
• Ensures that customers are abiding by all library policies and procedures to allow for a safe and enjoyable experience for all library visitors and staff.

Program Development

• Creates age-appropriate programming to meet the unique needs of youth aged birth-5.
• Researches, prepares, presents, facilitates, and evaluates physical and virtual learning opportunities for the public based upon community needs and interests individually and as part of a team.
• Follows the library’s programming framework when planning, presenting, and evaluating programs.

Content Creation

• Researches, prepares, writes/records content for publicity, displays, social media platforms, and websites under the advisement of the Communications and Marketing Department.
• Maintains prompt arrival and efficiently and dependably maintains scheduled hours.

Position Requirements & Preferences

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• A combination of customer service experience and/or post-secondary education to a total of three years.
• Valid Kansas Driver’s License with insurable driving record.
• Must obtain and maintain a negative tuberculosis (TB) test.

Preferred:

• Two years of experience working directly with toddlers and preschoolers in a professional capacity.
• Multilingual fluency in English and at least one other language is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of contemporary children’s literature, authors, and pop culture.
• Knowledge of library tools and learning resources such as databases, print resource and online resources.
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite applications, preferably Office 365.
• Strong interpersonal, written communication, oral communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with customers, volunteers, community partners, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to perform detailed work with accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral formats to children and adults.
• Ability to use technology necessary for the position and learn new technology as it is needed.
• Ability to travel safely to outreach sites within the community.
• Ability to work scheduled hours, arrive promptly, and maintain regular, reliable attendance.

A pre and/or post-employment drug screen, criminal history record check and physical capacity testing are required as a condition of employment.

SCHEDULE: Part-time 20 hours per week. Days and occasional nights and/or weekends are required.

PAY & BENEFITS: Hourly rate will be in the range of $18.81 to $20.93 depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits including health & dental insurance with pre-tax premiums, and a retirement plan (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System KPERS). Group life, disability coverage and accidental death benefits are also provided. Other optional benefits available at employee's expense include vision, life and cancer insurance and a deferred compensation plan.

A TSCPL application, resume and cover letter must be submitted for consideration. Application materials must be received by Sunday, February 16, 2025.

HOW TO APPLY: A completed and signed job application is required for consideration for each position. Application forms are available online at www.tscpl.org, in the Library at the Customer Service Desk or in Human Resources. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Application materials may be emailed, mailed, handed in, or faxed. Application materials may be emailed to [e-mail]. Please put the title of the position for which you are applying in the subject line.

Mail completed and signed job application materials to:

Human Resources
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66604

Application materials may also be handed in at the Human Resources Office on the second floor of the library. Human Resource office hours are M-F 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. If the HR office is not open, applications may be dropped off at the Customer Service Desk.

Application materials may be faxed to 785-580-4496. For more information, please contact Human Resources at: 785-580-4492 or send e-mail to: [e-mail]

EOE