Library Literacy Specialist

The current vacancy is an Extra Help/Temporary position, which is limited to 999 hours in a fiscal  year and is not eligible for benefits.  However, this list may be used to fill future permanent positions as vacancies arise.

 The person selected for this position will act as a liaison between the Literacy Support Council and Placer County Library and will be responsible for recruiting, matching, and training both learners and literacy coaches.  It is anticipated that the work schedule will be Monday - Friday, approximately 20 hours per week.

To perform technical para-professional library work in support of the County’s Literacy Program; to plan, manage, administer, implement and evaluate the Placer County Library’s Adult Literacy Program; to perform a variety of activities including direct and remedial services to functionally illiterate adults; and assist with training and monitoring volunteer tutors. 

This is a single classification operating at a full journey level. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the scope of duties and the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.

Receives general supervision from management staff.  

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Recruit, enroll and support adult learners and tutors.
• Match assessed learners with tutors.
• Establish and maintain contact with community agencies and businesses that have an interest in adult literacy programs and handle the related routine questions and concerns of those agencies.
• Collect and analyze data regarding tutor/learner activity; assess effectiveness of training workshops and coordinate with trainers to make adjustments where necessary.
• Provide mentoring support to tutors addressing topics such as teaching strategies, supplemental materials, learning disabilities/differences and behavioral issues in person, by phone, letters, email.
• Maintain databases for tutor/learner activity and budget expenditures.
• Prepare meeting facilities, transport to and from site workshop materials and refreshments, and clean up meeting room; prepare workshop schedules.
• Promote the library literacy program through various media; create media campaigns/content.
• Represent the library literacy program at meetings, as requested; speak to service clubs and community groups to encourage public awareness.
• Prepare annual and semi-annual financial and statistical reports as required by the CA State Library.
• Maintain inventory of teaching/training materials; unpack, check-in and shelve materials.
• Prepare annual program budget and grant proposal documents.
• Write quarterly newsletter columns and tutor letters.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Experience: One year of experience in a public library and/or managing a Literacy program.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline closely related to the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. 

Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Personnel Department. 

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Objectives, principles, procedures, standards and trends in adult literacy programs.
• Disabled, socio-economic, and ethnically diverse groups.
• Methods and techniques utilized in publicizing the Adult Literacy Program.
• Specific methods and materials used in literacy instruction.
• Basic public library services, policies and procedures.
• Budget preparation and monitoring.
• Basic in person and telephone etiquette and communication skills.
• Standard office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computers.
• Business arithmetic and statistical analysis.
• Safety policies and procedures.
• Basic statistical analysis techniques. 

Ability to:

• Develop and implement an active literacy program with limited guidance.
• Recruit, screen, place, direct and evaluate program volunteers.
• Make persuasive presentations to groups and individuals regarding all aspects of the program.
• Prepare clear, concise and complete reports, correspondence, instructional materials and other written material.
• Interpret and apply basic library procedures and policies.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Utilize designated word processing, spreadsheet and/or database software programs and library information systems including but not limited to library data bases and the internet.
• Understand and carry out a variety of both oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Perform specialized clerical and technical library work.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer records.
• Adhere to Safety policies and procedures.
• Supervise and train tutors.
• Work in a standard office environment, using standard office equipment and computer systems and attend off-site meetings.  Sit at desk and/or stand for long periods of time. Intermittently bend, twist, reach, grasp, kneel or squat while shelving, opening boxes or moving equipment; see and read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; write and use keyboard to communicate and to enter circulation and collection data; communicate in person and by telephone; file, lift and carry weight up to 50 lbs; push handcart up to 50 lbs.
• Work weekend and evening shifts as assigned.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

 

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