Waterbury Public Schools is hiring: Library Media Specialist (PK-8) in Waterbury

Library Media Specialist (PK-8)

Reports To: Principal or other administrative official of a higher grade. FLSA Designation: Exempt.

Job Overview: The class is accountable for establishing and coordinating the services of the school library‑media center and technology lab appropriate to the educational needs of all students; providing a full spectrum of educational enrichment materials to ensure that students in the school will find available instructional and non‑instructional materials appropriate to their interests, abilities, and level of maturity; and making sure students and teachers are effective users of information and ideas by providing instruction in the use of technology to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing and using information and ideas.

Responsibilities

• Administers a program that provides for learning experiences utilizing technology and resources accessed from classrooms or other locations outside of the library information center;
• Analyzes instructional and technological requirements and other features of the school to recommend appropriate staffing and training necessary to meet the learning and information needs of the students and to ensure the effectiveness of the program;
• Assists teachers and learners in developing appropriate activities for assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum;
• Assists teachers and other educational staff in developing connections among subjects, standards, and strategies for learning;
• Assists teachers and students in finding, evaluating, and developing these additional resources;
• Assists teachers in developing interdisciplinary connections using a variety of resources and technologies;
• Builds support for the role of the library media program in teaching and learning through the effective use of influence strategies;
• Catalogs, classifies, and arranges information resources in various forms and media according to recognized standards;
• Collaborates and communicates with all staff, and particularly the technology staff, to identify and use the full range of learning technologies required to meet students’ informational needs;
• Collaborates with classroom teachers in the creation and implementation of their content‑area standards, goals, and visions;
• Collaborates with other members of the learning community to ensure that the school library information program is able to meet the individual learning needs of students;
• Collaborates with the technology department to plan budgets and purchases software and hardware that meet the school curriculum needs and support the library information center, the classroom, and individual learning needs of students;
• Communicates effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and the community;
• Collaborates with the technology staff on issues of software and hardware compatibility;
• Contributes to the school curriculum by attending school and district curriculum meetings;
• Co‑teaches and mentors along with the classroom teacher on projects and assignments for students;
• Creates and implements the library media program;
• Develops a budget and locates sources of funding that provide for purchasing and upkeep of all resources required for an effective school library information program;
• Supports teachers and students with selecting interest‑based materials for students to explore while learning about their interests using books, technology, and other sources of media;
• Teaches and demonstrates to students how to structure a search across a variety of sources and formats to locate the best information to meet a particular need;
• Provides instruction in the five cross‑disciplinary abilities as they apply to the CT Learning Standards;
• Supervises support staff and plans for and implements an effective program that is fundamental to students’ learning and is based upon the school’s instructional programs, services, facilities, size, and numbers of students and teachers;
• Reports the results of program assessment on a regular basis to teachers, students, administrators, and other community members;
• Stays current with new information and trends in technologies and dissemination strategies to effectively plan, implement, and assess the effectiveness of the school’s library information program;
• Works cooperatively with the technology department and other educators to provide flexible access to resources, spaces, and technology systems to individuals and groups at time of need, within or outside of regular classroom hours, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Managing school site collections and the selection/acquisition of materials and equipment; previous teaching and/or related school experience.
• Special Requirements: Thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made prior to appointment.
• Credentials: Possession of a valid Connecticut State Board of Education teaching certificate/endorsement(s) appropriate to the teaching assignment; School Library Media Specialist – 062 Endorsement; may be required to possess and retain a current motor‑vehicle operator’s license.
• Continuing Education: Completion of all State Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for re‑certification.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Information literacy standards for student learning and the ability to create and maintain a broad learning community program.
  • Strategies for communicating with various constituencies and guiding intellectual access to information.
  • Current and developmentally appropriate resources and strategies for guiding learners.
  • Instruction and technology that enhances learning and teaching.
  • Collaborative planning and curriculum development, including creative, effective teaching.
  • Providing an effective library resource program that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the school.
  • Recognizing developmental growth patterns of children and youth and their influence upon reference and search processes.
  • Staying current with new information and trends in technologies and dissemination strategies.
  • Understanding social and ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.
  • Understanding the role of the library media program in learning and teaching and its integration into the curriculum.
  • Understanding the process of reforming educational systems and structures.
  • Understanding the relationship between school climate and effective teaching and learning.
  • Understanding the structure of the school learning community and leverage points for influence.
  • Promoting independent learning and understanding various learning styles.
  • Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Using personal computer applications, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, graphics, and production software to support students’ learning.

Waterbury Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the District when necessary.