LIBRARY CONNECTED LEARNING SPECIALIST

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed historic charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) offers a dynamic, innovative work environment where each employee contributes to making the Library the best Third Place possible. Inspiration starts here – we help people read, learn, and connect! 

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Library Connected Learning Specialist builds critical developmental relationships with young people in Milwaukee and supervises near peer mentors to ensure the provision of excellent customer service in Library Makerspaces and beyond. The Library Connected Learning Specialist will address the digital divide and digital literacy, summer learning loss, workforce readiness, violence prevention, and equitable access to library resources for Milwaukee students across the City, with a specific focus on the adolescent years.

Library Makerspaces are open, creative spaces for library patrons to work on a variety of projects, from music recording to cooking to design to 3D printing and more.  Library Makerspaces can be reserved or used during drop in Open Maker Time; Makerspace facilitators or interns as available to assist patrons.

Program Development and Facilitation 

• Engage with the Library Education Outreach Coordinator and Library reference staff to facilitate daily Open Maker Time during after school hours in library Makerspaces. 
• Provide instruction to library patrons one-on-one and in small groups during drop in appointments.
• Host class visits from schools and partner organizations. 
• Develop and implement various educational activities and skill building workshops. 
• Write curricula and lesson plans for educational events and programs held in the Makerspaces.
• Provide technical support, materials preparation, and host events as part of the Teen Summer Challenge.
• Develop ongoing partnerships with individual artists/makers and community organizations in support of this work.
• Remain current with best practices in after school education and technology; engage in professional development opportunities. 
• Regularly develop and execute new models for instruction, e.g., equipment badging system, Take and Make services, and tech toy training. 
• Support and instruct colleagues in the use of technical equipment and software to reinforce connected learning programming across library branch locations.

Space Management

• Oversee the daily patron use of MPL-owned technology and equipment in Makerspaces.
• Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies. 
• Install and update technological equipment, including computing equipment and software, photography and videography, industrial design, music mixing, gaming, and virtual reality equipment. 
• Consult relative to the purchase of equipment, software, and supplies.
• Ensure a welcoming and organized space for the public to enjoy.

Supervision

• Direct the day-to-day workflow of Library Teen Outreach Interns.
• Recruit, interview, provide orientation and ongoing training.
• With support from Library Education Outreach Coordinator, handle staff issues, including coaching, discipline, and evaluation. 

Library Reporting and Support

• Provide daily reports on attendance and outcomes. 
• Develop and execute outcome monitoring strategies. 
• Participate in Library committees and workgroups.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Must be willing and able to work flexible schedules that include days, evenings and weekends. 
• Must be physically able to stand and walk at length; to stoop, kneel, and reach; and to move and lift up to 10 pounds frequently and exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally.

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, information technology, design, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

2. One year of experience in the provision of youth programming related to computing and design equipment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Technical

• Knowledge of and commitment to best practices in serving and educating youth with an understanding of youth developmental stages.
• Able to manage complex technology and software in a work setting and in the makerspaces.
• Art and/or technology skills and ability to learn best practices in artistic placemaking.
• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-related documents.
• Knowledge and ability to work with computer applications, including the internet, spreadsheet, database, and word processing software, including Microsoft Office products.

Communication, Interpersonal, Training and Presentation

• Knowledge of the principles and processes of providing excellent customer service and a strong desire to serve the public.
• Verbal communication and training skills to clearly explain information to patrons and library staff, both face-to-face and via telephone.
• Written communication skills to write reports, procedures, and correspondence.
• Ability to write youth-appropriate curriculum and educate groups of youth.
• Presentation and community outreach skills to positively represent the library.
• Ability to work effectively, cooperatively, and fairly with multi-level staff and patrons from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Judgement and Critical Thinking

• Strong project management skills, including time management and organization; ability to focus on outcomes and impact; ability to take initiative.
• Organizational and record-keeping skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain patron confidentiality, responsible stewardship of library resources, honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to handle emergencies with a calm and thoughtful approach.

Leadership and Supervision

• Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices.
• Skill in coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to assign and direct work and to assess performance for volunteers and youth interns.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion where in all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2CN) is $47,310-$58,080 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $48,729-$59,823 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/DER/benefits

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code 204

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.