About Jersey City and the Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL)

JCFPL is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, with ten locations and growing, and a collection comprising over 2.5 million print and digital items. Our staff of nearly 120 dedicated individuals serves the residents, students, and workers of Jersey City: the largest city in Hudson County, N.J., and the second-largest city in New Jersey.

The staff of JCFPL reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Jersey City, which is consistently ranked as the most diverse community in the United States. Collectively, our staff speaks over 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Gujarati, Marathi, Igbo, Portuguese, and others.

JCFPL is committed to building on our strong foundation and expanding our ability to meet the needs of Jersey City’s growing and increasingly diverse community.

About the Position

As part of the Communications & Outreach Division and reporting to a branch manager, the individual in this role is responsible for enhancing community digital inclusion, technological skills and information/media literacy for library patrons and staff, and expanding the types of, contents of, and effective access to the Library’s digital collections. This includes but is not limited to: organizing and conducting library programs and events; assisting patrons and staff in making effective use of library technologies; providing formal training and instruction in the effective use of digital resources; developing strategies, best practices, standards, and technologies that support discovery, access, management, and preservation of the Library’s digital assets; participating in technical project planning and implementation of current and developing digital history and resource access projects and digitization of legacy local history special collections; supporting library staff in planning for and implementing new digital collections and online exhibition projects; researching new and soon-to-be available technologies to assess their relevance and usefulness for reaching Library goals; and performing other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have a facility with and enthusiasm for new technologies; a passion for utilizing new technologies for the benefit of the local community; an understanding of the role of libraries and librarians in expanding community access to digital resources and collections; the ability to perform both independently and as a team member; experience in planning and conducting public programs; experience in effectively instructing and training peers and the public in the use of new technologies; an energetic approach to community outreach; excellent communication skills; enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility and a sense of humor.

* Please note, this vacancy announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the employee for this job. The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Specific Job Duties:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• OUTREACH - Develop partnerships with parents, community leaders, and organizations.
• EVALUTATION OF BRANCH NEEDS - Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate overall programs, services, and activities to ensure they meet library goals and the needs and interests of students.
• INNOVATION PROGRAMMING -Actively pursue self-development in library services and programming related to Emerging Technologies; stay current with Emerging Technologies and how they relate to trends in library programming (e.g. coding, Minecraft, STEAM, etc; attend conferences and workshops, and read professional literature to stay informed on issues related to library services and creative learning activities; actively use Internet resources.  
• TRADITIONAL PROGRAMMING -Organizes and conducts library tours, book talks, film programs, reading clubs, etc. for the purpose of promoting literacy, fostering use of library resources and/or to inform the community and various organizations of available youth services.
• AESTHETICS - Designs, develops, implements and evaluates displays and exhibits.
• SOCIAL MEDIA - Promotes library activities, facilities and services.
• CUSTOMER SERVICE - Assist patrons in locating, evaluating and effectively using information or resources;
• OTHER - Perform all other reasonable duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Required Experience:

• Master’s degree in Library or Information Sciences in a library program accredited by the American Library Association or from a New Jersey College Master’s program in Library Science that has been deemed acceptable by Thomas Edison State University.
• Possess a valid certification as a Professional Librarian issued by Thomas Edison State University.
• Ability to demonstrate a practical knowledge of library functions, services, terminology, techniques, procedures, and standard tools such as ILS (Integrated Library Systems)
• Familiarity with Emerging Technologies and ability to learn new and share new technology with others. 

Essential Skills:

• Ability to keep informed of current theories, objectives, principles, and techniques of librarianship: and adapt to modern technology, library trends and innovations.
• Ability to identify, customize, create and present innovative programs and services and integrate new technologies into library service.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to read, write, speak, or communicate in a second language other than English.
• Desire to work in fast-paced urban environment a plus.

NOTES:

This vacancy is associated with a N.J. Civil Service job title; the New Jersey Civil Service Commission requires all incumbents to possess and be prepared to verify the minimum experience and skills required for the associated Civil Service job title.

This position is subject to residency requirements as set forth in the New Jersey First Act.

Apply online here