Total 1 job vacancies by 1000 Multnomah County

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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Why did you become a librarian?

"I was excited to be in a position to serve the community I was raised in; to have people of African and African American descent feel more welcome in library spaces, and experience many forms of culturally artistic expression. The same is true for sharing ‘Black storytime’ for our little ones who hear stories reflective of people who look like them."

- Carla Davis, Librarian - Every Child A Reader Program at Multnomah County Library

We’re looking for people who share Carla’s excitement. Is that you?

Multnomah County Library is looking for a creative, customer service-­oriented, charismatic Black Cultural Competency Youth Librarian to join our team!

This recruitment will remain open until all our positions are filled. We will conduct application reviews on the following dates and interviews will be held shortly after: 

• February 23, 2024
•  March 8, 2024

   
As a Black Cultural Competency Youth Librarian, you will serve your assigned library location but also support your designated library region as a whole, providing services to the communities served within that region. You work closely with your regional staff colleagues and are a liaison between the local branch, regional, and systemwide Youth Services and cultural teams. 

In this role, you will be part of the Black Cultural Library Advocates team and will attend their monthly meetings. The Black Cultural Library Advocates team is the leadership team for services to Black communities at Multnomah County Library. The team works to create culturally relevant programming, connect and reconnect our community to the library, outreach outside branch walls, and advocate for the Black community inside our walls. The team also partners with branch managers and stakeholders as needed to ensure the library's fulfillment of our information service goals. As a member of the Black Cultural Library Advocates team, you will have immediate access to a support network of peers who share your lived experiences and who will welcome you into the organization.

In addition, you are responsible for connecting patrons with the information and services they seek, building and maintaining professional relationships with patrons and community partners, and delivering a variety of professional-level library services. In particular, while you assist all patrons, you focus on serving Black youth (from birth to age 18), their families, and those who work with Black youth. You perform the vital task of matching the personal, educational, and recreational needs of patrons with the appropriate information and resources, and of fostering literacy in youth and families. To assist you in these priority services, there is adequate funding through both library funds as well as grants through our Library Foundation.

This is an exciting time for Multnomah County Library as we are in the process of building, remodeling, and refreshing all of our locations. We are adding exciting teen spaces and engaging early literacy play areas into our remodels. You will get to help shape how these are used as well as be the connector to youth, teens and families to these spaces and their new offerings. 

Our current opportunity is at the following location:

Midland

With an extremely diverse patron base, Midland is the home location for two youth services librarians, two regional adult services librarians and staff from all our We Speak Your Language groups and serves as the home library for many BIPOC communities, as well as immigrants and refugees. We serve a very intergenerational population. Our patrons experience the digital divide and use the library most frequently for computer access and assistance, browsing, and youth services. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the houseless population in Mid County and have a friendly relationship with the Wy’East shelter down the street from us. Midland serves three school districts and is located near the largest high school in the state. Upon reopening from a renovation, Midland will be the first location to have an all ages sensory room, an outdoor children’s garden, and one of our enclosed teen rooms that will be stocked with AV equipment to assist in Connected Learning opportunities. 

Regardless of location, all libraries are open and welcoming to all members of our community, including individuals who may be encountering hardships or challenges that affect their behavior and interactions. As a member of our team, you should possess the ability to work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups. You must demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor while working with customers, co-workers and community. In providing customer service, you may encounter situations that require de-escalation or assistance from a supervisor or person-in-charge. We offer ongoing training and support to continuously help build these skills as well as the opportunity to opt-in to serving as the person-in-charge if needed.

To learn more about being a Black Cultural Competency Youth Librarian at Multnomah County, or if you’re just curious to hear what we think about working here, please complete this form to be invited to an information session about these positions.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited program.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience working with the Black community. This would be demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience working directly with individuals and families who identify with the African American and African communities.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and competency abilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of the theories of child and adolescent learning and development and how those theories might impact library service from birth to high school.
• Experience with current and retrospective children's and teen literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, web sites, electronic media and other materials that constitute a diverse and relevant youth collections.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Two years of professional youth librarian experience is desirable.
• Experience planning, preparing and implementing culturally sensitive programs (including storytimes) that are of interest to children, young adults, caregivers and adults working with children is preferred.
• Understanding of the impact of systemic oppression and its potential impact on Black patrons seeking library services.
• Understanding of the impact of exclusion for members of the Black community and how that may influence the way they navigate our library system. Additional specialized clerical training is desirable.

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

• A completed online application
• A cover letter briefly summarizing your experience working with and serving youth, specifically those in Black communities

Please only apply once for this opportunity.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Language assessment
• Criminal records and reference checks

Additional Details

Work Location: This position works onsite at Midland Library, located at 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.  

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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