Public Services Specialist (Outreach)

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 25,912 - 28,833; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life and disability coverage

Job summary

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library seeks a Community Services Public Services Specialist to deliver programming for school-aged children throughout the community. You will plan and present engaging activities, assist patrons at library locations, and operate library vehicles when necessary.

This role requires a high school diploma, customer service experience, and strong communication skills. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and competitive pay starting at $18.81 per hour.

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong service orientation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patrons and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Plan and present age-appropriate programs.
• Assist patrons with inquiries about services.
• Safely operate library vehicles as needed.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Planning, analytical and organizational skills

Microsoft Office Suite skills

Ability to work with diverse populations

Ability to maintain reliable attendance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Three years customer service experience

Job description

Come be a part of the Library Community Services (Outreach) team by providing Community Connections programming throughout the Topeka & Shawnee county community. This is a great opportunity to provide library services to school aged children at locations throughout Topeka & Shawnee County, including at the library and schools. If you love the library and the services we provide and want to share that with our community this is the job for you.

As the Community Services Public Services Specialist, some of the things you will do are:

• Brainstorms, builds, schedules, and presents age-appropriate programs in a variety of formats at the main library, local organizations and in elementary classrooms.
• Plans and executes themed displays, compiles information for bibliographies and programs.
• Assists patrons inquiring about services, periodicals, databases, files, interlibrary loans, and other information.
• Assembles and computes statistical information essential to department.
• Provides information and materials to the public including assistance in locating library materials, information and use of equipment.
• Safely operates library vehicles such as trucks, and vans as needed.
• Files and performs data entry tasks that relate to the status of library materials such as files, restocks shelves, processes reserves, and circulates library materials.
• Maintains assigned collections and everything associated with that function.
• Assumes responsibility during emergencies while programming or working within the department to ensure staff and patron safety and limit disruptions to service. Follows-up with administration and security as needed.
• Delivers materials to community partners and customer homes as needed.
• Recommends materials for collection development and maintains collections.
• Performs checkout duties at offsite locations when necessary.
• Assists with production of division and library-wide publicity as needed including social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.), blogging and print publications as needed.
• Maintains prompt arrival and efficiently and dependably maintains scheduled hours.

Position Requirements/Preferences

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A combination of customer service and/or post-secondary education to a total of three years is required.

Preferred

• Three years of customer service experience.
• One year of experience working with groups of school aged children in a professional capacity.
• Multi-language fluency in English and at least one other language.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong service orientation.
• Good planning, analytical and organizational skills.
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite software applications and Internet searching techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with patrons, volunteers, community partners, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member, be flexible and adapt to a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Preferred

• Knowledge of books and City/County streets.
• Knowledge of readers’ advisory and reference techniques.
• Excellent reference skills.
• Strong public service orientation.

SCHEDULE

8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends are be required.

PAY & BENEFITS

Starting hourly rate will be in the range of $18.81 to $20.93 per hour 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.

EOE