Youth Services Advocate, Houston Public Library, Houston TX
Posted March 19, 2014
Link to a world of opportunities by joining the Houston Public Library (http://www.houstonlibrary.org/home) as the new Youth Services Advocate. Houston Public Library seeks a leader who is knowledgeable about current issues impacting youth, conversant about cutting edge youth services and technology trends, and is able to facilitate the fusion of traditional and nontraditional library services for youth and their caregivers. If you are a dynamic, energetic, uniquely talented individual focused on youth services, this could be your next position. This is your opportunity to become a vital member of an organization that is progressive, forward thinking, and customer focused. The successful candidate is creative and innovative and will have experience working successfully in a large, diverse, urban environment; will be responsible for modeling excellent customer service; and, for providing collaborative leadership for system-wide planning and delivery of stellar youth services for Houston residents. The Houston Public Library serves 2.1 million citizens over 634 square miles through a network of 44 unique facilities. In 2012, the library staff circulated just under 7 million items to 4.2 million visitors.
Alive with energy and rich in diversity, Houston is a dynamic mix of imagination, innovation, talent and first-class attractions that make it a world-class city. Long noted for excellence in healthcare systems and top ranked hospitals, Houston is home to The Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. Living in America’s fourth largest city has its perks. Houston’s Theater District is second only to New York City, giving Houstonians access to more than 500 cultural, performing and visual arts venues.
Boasting the second lowest cost-of-living among American cities, Houston has a winning combination of low cost-of-living and high quality-of-life. With the most affordable housing of the nation’s 10 most populated metropolitan areas, Houston offers a variety of choices. Houston’s diverse population speaks more than 90 languages. This rich diversity not only fuels the city’s vast cultural experiences but also more than satisfies the population’s multiple international palates. With more than 11,000 award winning restaurants, a wide variety of foods are offered from around the world. With all that Houston has to offer, it’s no wonder that Houston topped Forbes Magazine’s 2012 list of “America’s Coolest Cities to Live.” For additional information on the Library and the City, see Houston Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/Houstonlinks.htm).
Responsibilities. Responsibilities include developing policies, standards, and procedures, developing new and assisting with existing programs, assisting with materials selection, and planning workshops and training in the area of youth services. The YSA manages change, fosters team building and provides guidance, mentoring, and leadership for the system’s children and youth services staff. The individual in this position represents the library throughout the community and to agencies and organizations serving children and youth. This position reports to the Deputy Director for Customer Experience and serves as an Administration Manager with system-wide youth services responsibility.
Preferred qualifications. ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library Science or a degree in youth services or a closely related field; with at least three years in a leadership capacity; minimum of six years working with youth in a public library or closely related experience. Additional preferred qualifications are a solid knowledge of current and future trends in library services to children and teens; superior communication and technology skills; demonstrated creativity and innovation in services to youth; knowledge of issues impacting today’s children and youth; at least three years of management or supervisory experience; experience working in an ethnically and culturally diverse environment; ability to communicate and work collaboratively on all levels of the organization; ability to build and nurture community partnerships with agencies and organizations serving children and teens.
Visit PN#12193, (http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=802909) for the complete job posting .
Compensation. Salary range of $61,000.00 – $73,000.00 annually and an excellent fringe benefits package.
If you are a visionary and transformational leader with exceptional customer service skills who values creativity and innovation, we would like to hear from you. Contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (www.gossagesager.com), via email or telephone for additional information. To start the application process, send a meaningful cover letter and your résumé as Word or pdf attachments to Karen Miller, [email protected], or Jobeth Bradbury, [email protected], and apply online at PN#12193, http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=802909, on or before the closing date of May 10, 2014.