Latest News + Hitchhiker Blog

Employment Opportunity: Children and Youth Services Coordinator South Dakota State Library

Job Description

Applicant: Are you passionate about children and teen access to great literature and programming? Are you creative, a natural teacher and enjoy traveling and meeting new people?  Would you love to “clone” your talents among dozens of local/rural librarians eager to learn how to reach their community youth? Then we may have the perfect job for you!

The South Dakota State Library has an open position for their Children and Youth Services Coordinator.   The successful candidate will administer a state library program through planning, implementation, and coordination with other library programs; public or school libraries, agencies, or states; and provides consultative services to South Dakota libraries in the areas of development and operations to ensure the effective delivery of library services and the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the program. This Senior Librarian works with other librarians at the State Library and  specifically oversees the children and youth services area.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

A bachelor’s degree required; library experience and/or coursework preferred; master’s degree in library and information science (MLS) preferred.

Knowledge of:

21st century library trends, technology, and innovation, best practices, policy and procedure writing, early literacy, children and youth physical and cognitive development, youth services, children and youth literature, social media,  information literacy, knowledge of generational and multicultural issues and multi-literacy skills.

Skill to:

Communicate, learn continuously, team builder, plan, organize, problem solve, create, supervise; write, read and analyze effectively and critically.

Post the following on the South Dakota BHR website:   Vitae or resume, cover letter, list of professional references, college transcripts required. http://bhr.sd.gov/

Working conditions or other specific requirements: Must be able to lift 40 lbs. and hold a valid legal driver’s license from the State of South Dakota.

Ability to:

Instruct adults, lead in areas assigned, create presentations, vet and demo software, curate resources, book-talk, storytelling,  research and manage grants, aggregate statistics, write/create surveys, work in teams, coordinate projects, travel extensively both in-state and out of state, develop  goals, evaluation tools and learning outcomes; develop training materials, negotiate contracts, consults with local librarians,  research and answer questions concerning budgets, governance, collection development, technology, trends, ILS systems, new and creative children and teen programming.

Salary range depending on experience and educational level: $19.14 – $22.98.  Full-time position. Office in Pierre. Some moving funds may be available. Travel expected. Full South Dakota state benefits.

Additional Requirements:

In your cover letter, describe any work or life-related experience which would indicate that you possess the knowledge, skill, or ability listed below:

The ideal candidate must possess a high level of: professionalism, attention to detail, communication, creativity, continuous learning, customer service, information seeking, planning and organization, problem solving, relationship building, teamwork,  as well as demonstrate excellent oral and written skills.

If you have questions about the position, call the State Librarian, Daria Bossman 605-773-3131 ext. 6. Or email daria.bossman@state.sd.us

The position will remain open until filled.