Economic Development Librarian

Pueblo City-County Library District has a fantastic opportunity for Economic Development Librarian!

The Economic Development Librarian expands workforce development by collaborating with the business community and local organizations to assist with growing and sustaining the local workforce talent pool. This position provides workforce development opportunities, educational resources, and partnerships with community organizations to serve the local job market. This position serves to develop a workforce pipeline helping people of all ages to learn, train, and develop skills necessary to acquire a job.  This role works with all departments and branches across the library district and in collaboration with other professional staff.

The Economic Development Librarian reports to the Assistant Director of the Rawlings Library and works as a team member with all employees across the library district.   The position builds strong relationships and partnerships with the Pueblo business community, the non-profit community and small business owners. The Economic Development Librarian provides excellent customer service demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively with people regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, ability level or background.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach and Programs

• Provides support for community economic development including research and marketing information to individuals, groups, businesses, government, and other organizations.
• Builds strong sustainable relationships with organizations, businesses, small business owners and job seekers to promote library resources such as subscription databases, technology training opportunities, meeting spaces, one-on-one appointments, workshops, etc.
• Represents the Library at community events, speaking engagements, programs, and area expos; creates engaging displays to promote strategic and economic development services in the community.
• Creates custom business information packages for internal and external business services’ clients.
• Instructs and trains business services clients on general business resources available at PCCLD. 
• Coordinates programs and outreach events to enhance the library district’s relationship with and services to the Pueblo community
• Establishes and maintains district-wide partnerships with local organizations serving the strategic focus; serves on boards and committees as the Pueblo City-County Library representative.
• Provides support for library staff when working with customers in the defined strategic populations; meets with staff regularly to determine evolving needs and interests, makes suggestions for promotion and programming, and provides training.
• Assists with strategizing and identifying new outreach opportunities and community partnerships relative to economic development in the community.

Customer Service

• Promotes facilitated customer service by proactively approaching customers to offer assistance while performing standard Librarian duties. 
• Assists customers with finding library materials and provides information to broaden their awareness of library resources and services.
• Consults with customers to decipher needs relative to economic development.
• Provides information, resources, and assistance to job seekers and business owners.
• Establishes and maintains PCCLD business services’ relationships. 
• Provides expert knowledge and services inside and outside library locations. 

Research & Administrative 

• Researches and maintains a broad and deep knowledge of the resources, trends, and opportunities in the local, state and national business communities. 
• Measures programs, services, and training offered for economic development and job creation; shares outcome measures with community groups and stakeholders.
• Researches new trends in librarianship, business services and workforce development. Compiles data on the needs of job seekers and entrepreneurs from all age groups, cultural backgrounds, industries and skill sets, and evaluates the results.
• Assesses and aligns services for workforce and entrepreneurial community needs.
• Recommends and assists with designing and creating growth opportunities for PCCLD business services. 
• Applies general librarianship skills including accessing information resources, navigating library resources, performing library outreach, and training clients on library resources.
• Learns new software packages quickly and with a high degree of accuracy.

This position will be assigned the role of Person in Charge (PIC) at the Rawlings Library on a regular basis to respond to any escalated customer service, emergency, or security issues and will work closely with the security officer on duty.

Supports team efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment for customers and staff by maintaining awareness of surroundings and working in accordance with safety policies and procedures.

Participates in regularly scheduled department meetings.  Attends All Staff Development Days and other training sessions to acquire new skills and to stay current on all information that is pertinent to PCCLD.

Reads daily organizational communications from intranet, e-mail, newsletters and print announcements.  Stays current on all library services, programs and events throughout the district. Regularly accesses electronic time keeping, payroll and personnel employee access systems.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports community engagement events.
• May serve on library committees and special projects.
• Performs other duties as needed.

 QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:  A Masters Degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association.  A minimum of two years of work experience which provides a solid understanding of business and economic development principles is preferred.  Experience working in a public library setting is desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to build sustainable relationships and partnerships with a diverse community of individuals.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply the knowledge and understanding of job market and career planning trends to work.
• Proven experience developing and conducting instructional programs and services.
• Experience with project management and planning.
• Knowledge of general business practices including print and electronic resources, reference tools and research techniques. 
• Demonstrated creativity with the ability to design and teach classes on a variety of business and career development topics. 
• Ability to conduct complex reference interviews, to analyze requests and to apply research skills to locate specialized information or provide customers with alternative sources. 
• Strong follow-through skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent customer service skills including the ability to resolve issues. 
• Strong computer and digital technology skills with a keen interest in learning and applying new technologies.
• Ability to function under flexible and changing conditions. 

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds and push /pull a fully loaded book cart weighing up to 200 pounds.

Other Requirements:   Must be able to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings and weekends. Applicants must pass a criminal background investigation.  Must have a good driving record, current Colorado Driver’s License and automobile insurance.

Benefits:  PCCLD offers Health insurance including a tele-health service, Dental and Vision insurance, HSA and FSA plans, employer paid life insurance, and 401(k) and PERA retirement plans. Full-time employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and personal leave.

Salary Range: $49,483.20 - $69,284.80 annually

Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply please visit https://www.pueblolibrary.org/Employment

https://www.pueblolibrary.org/Employment