Brownell Library seeks a friendly and organized individual for our Library Assistant - Youth and Young Adult Services position. The person in this position plans, implements, promotes, conducts, and evaluates programs for youth and young adults, including collaborations with other community entities, and works directly with patrons at the public service desk, performing all circulation functions, and offering reference and readers’ advisory help. This is a part-time position (an average of 24 hours weekly) with benefits. The schedule includes two evenings a week and Saturday hours every other week. A bachelor’s degree with experience working with youth, particularly teens and tweens, and managing projects is essential. Must be able to work independently while also communicating, collaborating, and balancing the needs of the youth team. The hiring committee will start reviewing applications on November 17, 2025, with a start date in early January 2026.

Wage: $20.65 per hour

Benefits: This part-time position offers prorated paid time off benefits, including vacation, holidays, sick leave, and personal time, based on the employee's regular scheduled work hours.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Plan, implement, promote, conduct, and evaluate youth and young adult programs, including collaborations and outreach with other City departments, community schools, area organizations, community groups, and community members. Write press releases; arrange for other publicity; select needed materials and work with Youth Services Librarian to order; operate needed equipment; make all necessary arrangements.

• Recruit and supervise teen volunteers, creating opportunities for ongoing programs and long-term projects and providing mentoring opportunities for young adults. Develop and supervise a teen/tween advisory board.

• Stay current on youth and young adult media trends and utilize various relevant and appropriate techniques (e.g., book talking, book lists, discussion groups, digital communications, etc.) to encourage youth and young adult use of library resources and materials.

• Work directly with patrons at the public service desk, performing all circulation functions and offering reference and readers’ advisory help. When covering the desk alone, follow procedures for opening or closing the library.

• Contribute to a professional and customer-oriented youth department by creating thematic displays in the Young Adult Area, helping to maintain the orderliness of the youth department space, and keeping materials in order.

• Proactively assist and instruct patrons or groups in using youth library services and resources, including the automated catalog and other library software, digital library resources, the internet, and other emerging technologies.

• Interpret and apply library policies and procedures to the public in a customer-friendly manner, ensuring a safe environment.

• Monitor behavior in the library, documenting incidents and informing staff of behavior issues.

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal relations with young adults, stay apprised of trends and developments in the field of young adult services, advocate for programs and services that meet the developmental needs of youth and young adults, and foster community.

• Stay current in technologies related to library services for youth and teens and seek new ways to utilize the best technological developments in the youth department.

• Assist the Youth Services Librarian as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assist with supervision of Shelving Assistants and library substitutes when alone at the youth desk.

• Assist with supervising and training adult and teen volunteers in the youth department.

Qualifications

• Ability to plan and implement projects independently while communicating with and balancing the team’s needs.

• Ability to organize and self-direct work responsibly.

• Ability to deal effectively with youth library patrons, especially children from preschool through high school and their caregivers, as well as a variety of outside individuals, such as staff of local schools, performing artists, other youth librarians, and community groups.

• Ability to stay current in technologies required to perform work duties.

• Responsive to change and demonstrates adaptability.

• Ability to assess volatile or potentially dangerous situations with patrons and exercise judgment while following library procedures for the safety of staff and patrons.

• Ability to establish rapport and deal courteously and efficiently with various individuals, working effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.

• Ability to use discretion in managing confidential information.

• Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor.

• Work professionally with people from various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and others.

The City of Essex Junction is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. We strive to build a team that reflects diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. By embracing inclusivity in all aspects of our work, we enhance our ability to serve the community with innovation, responsiveness, and compassion, reflecting the vibrant diversity of the residents of Essex Junction.