Early Childhood Services Advisor (Library Development Advisor)



Early Childhood Services Advisor (Library Development Advisor)

Salary

$58,895.00 - $89,448.00 Annually

Location

Dauphin County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-20210300-25310

Department

Department of Education

Division

ED Div Advry & Outrch Srvs

Opening Date

02/10/2021

Closing Date

3/5/2021 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

25310

Position Number

00017513

Union

FOSCEP - Fed of St Cult & Ed Profsnls

Bargaining Unit

C4

Pay Group

ST08

Bureau / Division Code

00162654

Bureau / Division

Division Advisory & Outreach Services

Worksite Address

333 Market Street

City

Harrisburg

Zip Code

17126

Contact Name

Christopher Noble

Contact Phone

717-783-4173

Contact Email

chnoble@pa.gov

THE POSITION

This is a professional library development position with the primary purpose of advising libraries throughout the Commonwealth on the improvement and extension of library operations and assisting in the development of 21st century library services with specific emphasis on services to children from birth to age 8 and their caregivers.

IMPORTANT:  YOU MUST APPLY TO THIS VACANCY POSTING, MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, COMPLETE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE A SCORE.  YOUR SCORE IS ONLY VALID FOR THIS SPECIFIC VACANCY.  ONCE THIS POSITION IS FILLED, YOUR SCORE IS NO LONGER VALID.
 

  • Full-time employment
  • Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; Monday through Friday
  • Communication regarding interview scheduling will be sent via email

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Program Development and Management
Develop and coordinate programs and projects relating to library programs and services for children ages birth to age 8, to public library staff, educators, and families, including convening advisory committees, and related correspondence and administration of contracts as required.

Promote professional development of those involved with early childhood services in public libraries through district meetings, participation in professional association activities and Office of Commonwealth Libraries-sponsored workshops and conferences.

Propose, develop, and/or facilitate informational programs, documents and continuing education/professional development programs related to all phases of early childhood library programs and services.

Serve as program liaison for assigned Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) projects and/or other grant projects.  Work with the LSTA Coordinator on all facets of grant processes including review of applications, risk assessment, monitoring of activities, and oversight of budgets for assigned programs.

Statewide Library Leadership
Provide leadership for the development of library programs and services for children ages birth to age 8, to public library staff, educators, and families.

Respond to general requests for assistance in initiating new services and programs or evaluating existing services and programs.

Help to convey statutes and regulations related to libraries, especially provisions of the Pennsylvania Public Library Code, the Pennsylvania Code’s public library and academic standards and assessments, and guidelines promulgated by the Governor's Advisory Council on Library Development.

Work closely with other Bureau of Library Development Advisors on the integration of youth services in other projects and programs where appropriate.

Collaborate with the public library and early childhood communities as well as the Library Development Advisor for School Age Services to provide information, professional development, and best practices regarding early childhood programs and services.

Outreach and External Relationship Development
Facilitate cooperation between public libraries and those providing early childhood services.

Maintain regular contact with Pennsylvania Department of Education colleagues, especially those in the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Migrant Education, Family Literacy, Special Education, as well as private and non-public educational institutions.

Work closely with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning on current standards and other initiatives that may affect libraries, young children and their caregivers, as well as families and educators who work with them.

Serve as primary contact with other Pennsylvania organizations that share the mission and goals related to the advancement of public library services, especially in early childhood services.

Engage with relevant state and national organizations such as the Pennsylvania Library Association, the American Library Association and their associated units, and youth service colleagues in State Libraries in other states to keep up-to-date on relevant topics.

Maintain contact with local, state, regional, and national professional organizations via electronic networking, or attendance at conferences or workshops related to library programs and practices.

Promote constructive relationships among the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the field, and local officials by sharing information about new research, emerging technologies, and current topics of interest, and through presentations at meetings as well as coordinating and assisting with exhibits.

District Library Center Advisor and County Liaison Role
Serve as liaison to assigned District Library Centers and Systems.  Provide advisory services to public libraries and work closely with District Library Center administrators and consultant librarians.  Participate in District Library Center annual negotiations with member libraries.  Visit districts and participate in district meetings as needed.  Advise districts on structure, role, and effective use of District Advisory Councils.

Initiate and provide advice and counsel on library development to library staffs, library trustees and others in assigned public library districts, maintaining communication with District Library Center consultants, administrators, and system administrators in those districts.

Advise and assist libraries in the development and implementation of district and county plans for library service.  Review, advise, and approve county coordination plans for the receipt of County Coordination Aid.  Promote the development of county library systems, as appropriate.

Statewide Policy Development
Participate in Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ committees that plan for and recommend policy to the Bureau of Library Development Director and/or the Commissioner for Libraries.  Regularly participate in internal meetings to discuss statewide plans and policies for library development in all types of libraries, as well as cooperation among libraries.

Perform related work as required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Qualifications:

  • Must meet PA residency requirement – For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency
  • Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:  Four years of professional experience in public or state library development work and a Master’s Degree in Library Science or Library Services; OR five years of professional library experience in public, college, university or institutional library work and a Master’s Degree in Library Science or Library Services.  Graduate coursework in Library Science or Library Services beyond the Master’s Degree may be substituted for professional library experience on a year for year basis.
  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  
  • Must be able to perform essential job functions
     
Veterans:  Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.
 
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):  711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals)
 
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.  The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.  All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

  • Score valid for this specific posting only
  • Score based on information reported on application and supplemental questions
  • Provide complete and accurate information or:
    • score may be lower than deserved
    • application processing may be delayed
    • disqualification may result
  • May only test once under this announcement
  • Email notice of test results provided

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*


Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, six weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

01
Do you possess four years of full-time professional experience in public or state library development work?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
Do you possess five years of full-time professional experience in public, college, university, or institutional library work?
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05
CS-INSTRUCTIONS - You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental question(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. Read the question(s) carefully. Determine and select the option that most closely represents your highest level of experience/training/certification. The option you choose must be clearly supported if requested. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
  • Yes
06
Do you possess a conferred Master's degree in library science or library services?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

  • Yes
  • No
07
Do you possess graduate study beyond a conferred master's degree in library science or library services?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address
613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120