Sr. Language Library Specialists, Spanish & Russian fluency positions

Summary

Description

Title: SENIOR LANGUAGE LIBRARY SPECIALIST, Spanish and/or Russian fluency – (full-time 40 hours)

Location: Various Arapahoe Libraries

Reports to: Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non – Exempt

Pay Rate: $21.30 – $25.05

Purpose: Welcomes and assists all community members and patrons to explore and connect with library resources; provides customer service to all patrons, especially to Russian or Spanish speaking patrons, provides training and modeling, collaborates with other departments, supports programs and outreach to language and immigrant communities, participates in the work of the internal translation team, provides and demonstrates equitable service to patrons and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

60% PATRON ASSISTANCE AND COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

General patron assistance:

Uses English and Spanish or Russian language to:

• Greet all library visitors and provide proactive assistance.
• Assist patrons with library account inquiries, including cash register transactions.
• Exhibit intermediate advisory and reference services to patrons in a variety of collections and genres with an emphasis on language library materials and immigrant resources.
• Connect patrons with other library staff as needed.
• Promote and support library resources, programs and events with an emphasis on Spanish or Russian language collections and immigrant resources.
• Listen to patron feedback and shares through appropriate channels.
• Set expectations for library use, de-escalate and resolve patron concerns.
• Straighten and clean up the library to provide a welcoming experience.
• Participates in the work of Language Hunt groups by answering phone calls in the Spanish or Russian language.

Technology assistance:

Uses English and Spanish or Russian language to:

• Assist patrons with intermediate skills for in-library technology such as printers, copiers, faxes, scanners, and PCs.
• Assist patrons with basics of using the digital media station.
• Exhibit intermediate troubleshooting skills of technology applications such as email, Microsoft Office, Wi-Fi, etc.
• Assist patrons with troubleshooting of audio/visual equipment in reservable spaces.
• Display intermediate skills and troubleshooting ability with library e-resources.
• Connect patrons with other library staff as needed for advanced technology needs.
• Exhibit knowledge of troubleshooting IMMS issues.

Collection Maintenance:

• Helps manage Spanish or Russian language and immigrant resources collections.
• Serves as liaison to LMS staff with Spanish or Russian language and immigrant resources collections maintenance.
• Coordinates Spanish or Russian language collections displays.
• Participates in inclusive displays meetings with district departments.
• Merchandizes Spanish or Russian language and immigrant resources collections and maintains library displays.
• Processes and shelves library materials and patron holds.

15% TRAINING AND SHADOWING

• Takes assignments from the People in Charge to address learning objectives for Library Specialist staff, including the content created by Language Librarians to address specific learning objectives for providing library language and immigrant services.
• Conducts on-the-job training for Library Specialist staff.
• Models accessing library resources related to language services for other branch team members.
• Provides proactive feedback to the learning and development team on efficacy of training and participates in improving training.
• Models correct processes and procedures and provides feedback in a positive and encouraging manner to the trainee.
• Collaborates and communicates with others using a growth mindset.

10% LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH SUPPORT

• Serves as support in Spanish or Russian language during in-branch programming and outreach planned and facilitated by Language Librarians.
• May serve as a backup for the Language Librarian's programming and outreach.
• Supports Language Librarians and the District's adult education partner organization during English Language Acquisition (ELA) class registration, ELA technology distribution and ELA-focused programming and outreach.

15% LEARNING AND COLLABORATION

• Stays current on library technology and trends.
• Comfortable explaining policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in learning activities to increase own knowledge.
• Takes initiative to consistently update skills to effectively assist patrons and co-workers.
• Promotes positive relationships with co-workers and collaborates with others to meet the needs of staff and patrons.
• Serves as liaison to various district departments and libraries such as participating in meetings or liaison assignments as an active contributor.

Translation Team Collaboration:

• Completes and reviews translations of Arapahoe Libraries documents into Spanish or Russian language.
• Uses document-editing software to edit translated documents in the format requested by Communications department.
• Contributes to the Translation Glossary document.

Performs other related duties and may contribute to cross-functional initiatives and projects as assigned and requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of experience providing library services to patrons including providing reference and advisory services.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends and travel district-wide to all library locations as needed.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including advanced oral and written proficiency in Spanish or Russian language, must pass oral and written language assessment provided by HR before employment.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply to work the knowledge and understanding of historical cultural context and current cultural life of Spanish-speaking or Russian-speaking patrons.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply to work the knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of Spanish-speaking or Russian-speaking patrons and new immigrants.
• Intermediate technology skills for Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Teams, and an ability to learn and apply new technologies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, cultural humility, compassion, and professionalism in working with patrons and colleagues of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to de-escalate situations with confidence.
• Intermediate reference and advisory skills in multiple collection formats and genres with an emphasis on Spanish or Russian language library materials.
• Demonstrated adaptability, enthusiasm, and innovation.
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with patrons, staff, and the community.
• Willingness to extend support and kindness to colleagues.
• Demonstrated interest in motivating and training staff.
• Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and development. including learning alongside patrons and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in an environment of constant change.

Core Values of Collaboration, Equity and Innovation:

• Ability to promote inclusivity, embrace diverse perspectives and prioritize fairness to contribute to a culture of inclusion and respect.
• Demonstrated ability to foster open communication, mutual respect, problem solving, adaptability and constructive conflict resolution to promote a cohesive and innovative work environment that welcomes continuous learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Familiarity with Adobe software.
• Experience with translation or/and interpretation services.
• Experience with facilitating and/or planning programming and outreach to linguistically diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with basic publishing trends and popular Spanish or Russian language authors.
• Familiarity with immigration and naturalization procedures.

Work Environment:

• The duties for this position are performed in an indoor environment.
• Moderate noise (computers, phones, printers and patron interactions).

Physical Activities:

Physical activities required to perform essential duties include:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 25-50% of the time.
• Must be able to move around 75-100% of the time.
• Ability to lift to 40 lbs.
• Ability to carry up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to push and pull a cart weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Ability to kneel, crouch, reach and stoop 50% of the time.
• Use of hands, fingers, and grasping of books, DVDs are required, with repetitive motion.
• Long periods of sitting, remaining stationary, or moving around.
• Frequency or repetitive actions which includes typing, shelving materials, occasionally opening and closing media cases.
• Bending, grasping, stretching without limitations which includes reaching into bins for materials, moving bins and carts filled with materials, shelving and shifting materials at various height levels.
• Lifting above your waist, head etc. up to 25 lbs.

This job description describes the general level of work being performed and is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties or aspects associated with the job, and may be amended anytime based on business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Inclusion and diversity are part of our values at Arapahoe Libraries. Qualified applicants who represent the diversities of the communities we serve are encouraged to apply.