Brownell Library in Essex Junction, Vermont is seeking an Assistant Youth Librarian to join our youth services team. This position is a core part of how we connect children, teens, and their families to library resources, programs, and community. The person in this role will have regular shifts at the youth desk and serve as a key point of triage for staff and patron questions. They will also participate in program planning and implementation, youth collection development, marketing, and outreach. We are accepting applications through the end of June. Interviews will start in July, and we hope to welcome someone in August.

Hours: 40 hours/week (with some evenings/weekends)
Pay/Wages: The pay rate is between $22.90 to $28.00 based on experience.

Benefits (this is not a comprehensive list of benefits)

• 3 weeks paid vacation to start.
• 14 paid holidays
• 18 sick days per year
• Retirement benefits include a pension plan (VMERS C) or deferred compensation plan (VMERS DC) and the ability to contribute to a 457, Traditional IRA or ROTH
• Generous health insurance benefit in which the City pays 94% of the premium for medical and the first 80% of the deductible. After that, you are only responsible for the next 20%, which is not more than $600 for single plans and no more than $1200 for all other plans for covered medical expenses.
• 100% employer paid for dental and vision
• 100% employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

 Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Work regular shifts at the public service desk, performing all circulation functions and offering reference and readers’ advisory assistance. When covering the desk alone, follow opening and closing procedures.
• Triage questions and issues arising at the youth circulation desk from staff and patrons — providing training and direction as needed, identifying next steps and resources, and escalating concerns when appropriate.
• Assist and instruct patrons in using youth library services, including the catalog, digital resources, library software, the internet, and other emerging technologies.
• Interpret and apply library policies in a customer-friendly manner.
• Manage behavior in the library, documenting incidents and informing staff of issues. Coordinate with outside parties as needed, including police, community social workers, parents, and local schools.
• Coordinate communications with new youth library card holders and their families in accordance with state privacy laws.
• Stay current on trends in youth services, local community needs, and resources for youth and families. Use that knowledge to recommend new programs, materials, and services, and to educate or facilitate conversations on early literacy, media literacy, youth development, and related issues affecting children and caregivers.
• Contribute to library communications and marketing, with an emphasis on promoting library resources, services, programs, and engagement for children and families.
• Plan, implement, promote, and evaluate youth programs in a variety of formats and time slots, across a range of interests and developmental needs, with a particular focus on programs for young children and grade-school children, including the summer reading program.
• Coordinate the library’s print and digital programming calendars, accounting for school closings and major community events.
• Work with performers and volunteers to schedule programs, secure required paperwork, and facilitate events.
• Collaborate with community groups and members, including local schools and libraries, municipal departments, and area non-profits.
• Coordinate outreach to families with school-age children and to families with new babies and young children. Participate in school and community outreach events.
• Assist in the selection and processing of youth materials, review new item records for accuracy, and support additional collection projects as needed.
• Contribute to a professional and customer-oriented library by maintaining the orderliness of the youth department and its workspaces — coordinating services as needed, working with volunteers to refresh décor, and identifying and communicating about areas in need of updating.
• Assist the Youth Services Librarian in assigning tasks to library substitutes and shelvers, and guide volunteers, substitutes, and part-time staff in completing projects as needed.
• Train part-time staff and substitutes in youth circulation duties.
• Participate in Full-Time, Youth, and Programming meetings — contributing agenda items, engaging in discussion, and following projects through to completion.
• Assist with reviewing and updating general procedures and policies as needed, in coordination with the Library Director and Brownell Library Board of Trustees.
• Assist the Youth Services Librarian.

Qualifications

• Ability to work cooperatively in a team-centered environment.
• 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 manage multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to stay current in technologies required to perform work duties.
• 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.
• Collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment.
• Work independently with minimum supervision while prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assist with supporting and training of youth circulation staff, library substitutes, Shelving Assistants, and adult and teen volunteers in the youth department.
• Supervise entire library operations on regularly scheduled nights and weekends.

Travel Required

• Light travel within the community to local organizations, schools, and stores and within the county to partnering libraries, or within the state for trainings as needed.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline, plus two years of experience working with youth, preferably in a library environment or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Vermont Department of Libraries Certification or Master’s in Library Science, or the willingness to pursue either certification and 3 years of experience working with youth in a library or other public-facing community organization.
• Project leadership experience.
• Experience working with the public.

The City of Essex Junction is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law. The City is committed to administering all employment practices in accordance with these laws.

– Posted 6/4/26