Teens' Instructor & Research Specialist (Part-time)

Description

You belong to a team of extraordinary people who are the heart of the teen communities you serve. You welcome customers and create a sense of belonging and fun with the classes and events you plan. You are the familiar face that is there to answer queries and encourage customers life-long learning goals. You earn trust by creating memorable customer experiences.

You embrace and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for your coworkers and customers. Whether working directly with customers or behind the scenes, you are committed to education that aids in the dismantling of unjust systems and creating a more equitable and just society for all people. As such, you ensure that this mission achieves our racial and social equity goals in all that we do.

We are seeking highly motivated Teen Instructor and Research Specialist to join our team! Candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply! We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package including 15 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team?

Who you are:

• You enjoy teen's frenetic energy and silly humor
• You enjoy mentoring teens
• You love that they are serious and thoughtful about their world
• You have an outgoing personality and engage well with others
• You love the hunt for information. You persevere
• You are warm, friendly, and patient
• You are confident and knowledgeable about technology

Essential Duties:

• You plan, teach, and facilitate engaging, participatory classes, events, seminars, and workshops, that reflect teen’s interest and input.
• You are a good listener who patiently delivers research assistance to customers who seek answers to queries in person, by telephone, or other electronic means.
• You develop creative teen projects with the assistance of the Teen Curriculum Coordinator and Head of Children and Teens’ Curriculum
• You keep the Teen collection looking its best with fresh displays for varied interests.
• You actively participate on a committee of passionate Teens’ Instructors to plan teen seminars, events, and classes. You are a team player.
• You create a fun space in the library where teens want to come and be together.
• You collaborate with staff to assist in engaging teens visiting after school.
• You share your expansive knowledge of technology such as the Internet, electronic databases, office applications, social networking applications, and gaming, as well as other library-related programs
• You visit schools to teach A+ Partners in Education classes, to share your passion through book promotions, and provide e-resources for high school students and staff, and act as A+ Partnership liaison to middle and high schools
• You work closely with community representatives to promote HCLS
• You work at any HCLS Customer Service or Research Desk
• You may assist with closing and building security as assigned
• You grow professionally by participating in professional training
• You can’t wait to get work and maintain regular and predictable attendance
• You step up when needed to perform other duties and special projects as assigned
• You take pride in adhering to all policies and procedures

We are guided by these shared responsibilities:

• Positions Howard County Library System (HCLS) as the place to learn, grow, and connect
• We contribute to achieving HCLS' racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative.
• Effectively lives our strategic values of community, equity, intellectual freedom, learning, and teamwork

Requirements

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Four-year college degree
• 1 to 3 years of professional experience instructing, supervising, or leading teen groups
• 1 year of teaching experience (not limited to a classroom setting)
• People skills – ability to work effectively with staff and customers of various races and ethnicities and enjoy it
• Exemplifies extraordinary and inclusive customer service, demonstrating an interest in working with the public, especially teens
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to engage teen customers with an enthusiastic, friendly, and approachable attitude
• Great organizational and planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve problems, to develop new processes and procedures in response to changing customer expectations and system-wide goals
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• You are knowledgeable about the community and current events
• You are tech-savvy – and have the ability to use programs/processes such as the Internet, electronic databases, office applications, social networking applications, and gaming as well as other library-related programs
• Current valid driver’s license

Your job will involve being active:

• You need to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, reach, and push/pull carts.
• In addition, strenuous activity is required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books or arranging rooms for classes and events.
• Some driving may be required.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Positions located at the Savage Branch
• Works under the supervision of the Branch Manager
• May be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute)
• Grade 9; Salary range $26.21 - $45.95/hour
• Part-time: 20 hours per week, Monday – Saturday, including two nights per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays, and a maximum of three Sundays per month; evenings and weekends may be required for HCLS signature events
• Position closes Monday, August 24, 2026 at 4 PM

EEO STATEMENT Howard County’s diversity is its greatest asset. Howard County Library System embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. All communities, including communities of color and immigrant communities, are fundamental to our spirit of service, workforce and long-term success. Equity and empowerment are top priorities. We believe all Howard County residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. Among our goals is for our workforce to reflect the community it serves. We are actively working to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Howard County Library System takes pride in providing equal employment opportunities.