Librarian, CATS Academy Boston, Braintree, MA

Posted May 19, 2016

Reports to: Head of School

Job Overview

The school librarian will provide professional leadership for the school’s new Learning Commons: building a collaborative, responsive, and dynamic learning environment that supports a community of active and engaged learners. The librarian will work to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information, empowering students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. As an instructional partner, the librarian works with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources.

Note:  The position will be at our new campus location at 2001 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184

Main Responsibilities

Administration

• preparing, justifying, and administering the library budget to support specific program goals
• selecting and administrating a Library Management System (LMS) for the school: incorporating MARC records for both physical and online resources and insuring appropriate resources are available when needed
• providing leadership for the Learning Commons: building a collaborative, responsive and dynamic learning environment that supports a community of engaged learners

Information Specialist

• developing and maintaining a collection of resources, both print and online, that are appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies used within the school community
• evaluating, promoting, and using existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services
• assisting the school community with their 
understanding and observance of copyright, fair use, and licensing of intellectual property

Teacher

• guiding students in reading for understanding,  exposure to diversity of viewpoints, and for pleasure
• providing instruction in research skills and organizational strategies for  students to become literate and ethical users of information
• engaging students in the process of building on prior knowledge and constructing new knowledge
• encouraging students to work with peers in successful collaboration for learning
• Other duties as assigned by line manager(s)/administration.

Education

• Master’s in Library Science (MLS) from a college/university accredited by the American Library Association.
• A highly qualified candidate will also hold appropriate state certification as a school library media specialist and have completed a teacher preparation program and/or educational degree.

Experience

• At least two years’ experience in academia be it as a teacher or librarian.
• Work in a multi-cultural/international environment.

 Skills

• A strong work ethic
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with a team
• Adaptability, initiative, and flexibility
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Customer service orientation and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiasm for working with internal and external constituents
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work
• Good communication skills (verbal and written); excellent grammar and punctuation
• Integrity; good judgment and decision-making abilities, problem-solving skills, and organizational and planning skills
• Reliability and confidentiality
• Skilled at information gathering and data management (student and college records)

Behaviors

• Enthusiasm for the mission and goals of the school library
• Models the activities and attitudes of a life-long learner
• Adapts to the needs of the specific situation
• Acts on her/his own initiative within defined and acceptable parameters.
• Acts rationally and maturely without undue bias or reliance on emotional responses.
• Assumes responsibility and ownership for work issues and problems of a primary operational nature
• Has a positive impact on student and staff
• Proactively plans for situations and circumstances
• Projects appropriate professional image
• Punctual
• Speaks clearly, sensitively, and persuasively when interacting with stakeholders
• Supports the aims, objectives, goals, ethos, and mission of the Academy
• Establishes team direction and responsibilities for achievement of Academy objectives
• Is proactive rather than reactive in approach, and can act on her/his own initiative
• Takes responsibility and ownership for work issues and problems of a primary operational nature

Compensation/Contract Term

• The librarian’s contract term is 10-months (academic year), with a 3-day/week (part-time) schedule.
• All other terms of the teachers’ contract are in effect.

Application Instructions

Send a cover letter and resume to Mrs. Anne Reenstierna, Dean of Faculty and Academics, areenstierna@catsacademyboston.com.