Youth Services Manager

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Youth & Family Engagement in cooperation with the Director of Central Operations or Site Supervisor, manages the Central Youth Services, ensuring quality facilities, staffing, services, and programming. Models exceptional customer service and builds relationships with customers, staff, colleagues, and community organizations. Provides leadership in creating a welcoming “Everyone Serves Youth” environment at the Library. Seeks out opportunities to provide leadership and support the work system-wide in ensuring quality library service for youth and families.

This is a full-time exempt position with a starting salary of $63,026 plus excellent benefits. 
 

Schedule

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm.

Note: Occasional evenings & weekends.

Location

Central Library: 14 West 10th Street, KCMO, 64105. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Sets the vision and priorities for the Central Youth Services, creating a showplace of library services for youth and their families.
• Coordinates services at the Central Library to meet the needs of youth, their families, and the adults working with them.
• Oversees and maintains a high level of quality programming for youth, and their families and caregivers at the Library; including overseeing staff programs, delivering programs, and contracting with outside presenters as appropriate.
• Builds relationships with customers, maintaining considerable time providing direct customer service.
• Manages staff in the Central Youth Services, providing effective leadership in building a team.

1. Maintains a timely schedule ensuring quality staffing levels.
2. Searches for opportunities to build staff development through continuing education for each staff member.
3. Encourages staff to become leaders from within.
4. Holds regular staff meetings and individual check-in meetings with staff.

• Communicates regularly with the Central & Annex management for cohesive library services. Works toward the goal of all staff at the Library, understanding and implementing, “We All Serve Youth".
• Actively participates in the Site Leadership Team, with a priority on ensuring excellent customer service and a welcoming environment.

1. Co-ordinating budget.
2. Programming and services for youth.
3. Addressing concerns and patron needs.

• Communicates with the Deputy Director for Youth & Family Engagement.
• Coordinates outreach and builds partnerships with community organizations. Plans and schedules group visits for youth with priority given to groups within the service district. Coordinates with relevant internal departments to ensure quality visit for these groups.
• Participates in planning and implementing of system-wide programming and promotion for youth and their families including, but not limited to, Summer Reading / Learning, Dial-a-Story, and social media accounts for youth and Library location(s).
• Attends all Youth & Family Engagement staff meetings. Maintains Microsoft 365 Outlook Calendar shared with the Youth and Family Engagement leadership, site leadership, and the site staff.
• Oversees department maintenance of accurate statistics for programming and services. Communicates effectively with all staff regarding activities in the Youth Services area. Prepares and shares monthly reports. Notes and shares stories of engagement with youth, their families, and their learning environments (schools, youth serving organizations, etc.) that demonstrate the Library’s impact.
• Fulfills needed tasks for collection maintenance at the direction of the Collection Development Department. Communicates with the Collection Development Department any needs for the youth collection.
• Keeps current with trends and developments in the profession and integrates them into services, collections, and programming when appropriate.
• Performs other related work and undertakes special projects as assigned. 

1. Demonstrated ability to lead a team to create a welcoming environment for youth and their families.
2. Demonstrated ability to provide effective library services to youth and their families, caregivers, and educators.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with community organizations.
4. Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of professional librarianship, particularly youth services. Considerable knowledge of the developmental stages of youth.
5. Excellent knowledge of youth literature.
6. Demonstrated desire for professional development and continuous learning.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated presentation skills.
8. Advanced computer skills: competency in technology skills used in libraries.
9. Ability to plan programming, both large and small scale, within allotted budget, and to ensure that contracts are executed promptly.
10. Ability to organize work effectively and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
11. Demonstrated flexibility which includes a willingness to readily respond to changing circumstances and expectations.
12. Willingness and ability to work with diverse customers of all ages as needed to provide excellent library service.
13. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively. 

Required Education & Experience

• Master's degree in library science.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with youth (0-18 years) in a library setting.
• Minimum of five years of experience working in a supervisory capacity.
• These three requirements may be substituted with a bachelor’s degree in related fields (i.e. library science, business, education, child development, general science, general humanities), AND at least five years of experience working with youth (0-18 years) in a library setting.
• Ability to speak and understand English is required, additional consideration will be given to individuals that are proficient in any non-English languages used in Jackson County, MO including Spanish, American Sign Language, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, and Swahili.

Work Environment

Work is performed at the Library’s Central location and community partner sites as well as Library Branches throughout the district. Primary workspace is shared with co-workers in an office space within the branch, other work will be performed in a public space amongst staff and patrons from a diverse socio-economic community.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions and job requirements of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

How to Apply

Please apply for this position through our web application system. We only accept applications for specific currently open positions made through our online system. Access the online application from the job listing on the Job Opportunities page. The application system allows you to attach a document (such as a cover letter or a resume) to your application (10MB limit per document). When you submit your application, an acknowledgement will be sent to the email address you provided. You are welcome to apply for as many positions as you wish. However, to minimize problems, close and restart your browser between each application.

All online Application for Employment forms must be completely filled out. For technical assistance, call 816.701.3712.

Kansas City Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.