Hybrid Community Outreach Instructor and Research Specialist (Bilingual Spanish/English) bei Howard County Library System

Description

You bring library experiences directly to the community members whose primary languages are Spanish and/or English, physically meeting customers of all ages where they are. HCLS Library on the Go!, our comprehensive community outreach program, seeks to engage with community members throughout Howard County outside of our six physical Branch locations. This includes utilizing our two Mobile Vehicles, Pop-Up Mobile Library Van and STEAM Machine, or other locations in Howard Count to connect with community members. You also support Branches with daytime, evening, and/or weekend classes in Spanish to meet the needs of our community members, including classes for children from birth –10, teens, and adults. 

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

We are seeking a highly motivated Community Outreach 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 (https://hclibrary.org/about-us/benefits-our-employees-enjoy/) including 15 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team? 

Who you are:  

• You are outgoing and fun to be around 
• You love to share your expertise and knowledge with others  
• You light up when you're in spaces with diverse groups of people 
• You listen and anticipate the needs of others  
• You go with the flow 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent the exhaustive list Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

A position you will love:  

• You work collaboratively with the Community Outreach Coordinator to make connections with community members and organizations throughout Howard County. 
• You plan, create and deliver developmentally appropriate, engaging and interactive classes, activities, and readers’ advisory services that promote emotional, social and cognitive development for all ages and family engagement.  
• You achieve HCLS’ racial and social equity goals.  
• You teach parents and caregivers the knowledge, skills, and methods to support their children’s learning. 
• You ensure that books, educational toys and media meet the developmental needs and interests of children, and the aspirations of parents and caregivers.  
• You solicit input from community members to design effective classes, activities, and readers' advisory services.  
• You collect, interpret, and disseminate feedback and data to strengthen instruction. 
• You work collaboratively with other Instructors. 
• You graciously, knowledgeably and thoroughly provide library services such as library cards, delivering holds, checking out, renewing and returning materials, technology instruction and assistance in the full use of the library and its digital and print resources.  
• You promote resources created by partner community organizations and make appropriate service referrals.   
• You collaborate with organizations providing services to community members in specific communities, especially communities experiencing the most marginalization.  
• You collaborate with Communications/Public Relations to develop publicity and graphics for outreach programs and events.  
• You collaborate with departments/teams to support community engagement efforts led by colleagues. 
• You promote HCLS at community events throughout Howard County 
• You value professional training and development.  
• You jump in where needed to perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.  
• You can be depended upon to maintain regular and predictable attendance.  
• 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  
• Contributes 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

Do you have what it takes?

• Four-year college degree 
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking 
• Knowledge of age-appropriate activities and child development philosophies and practices 
• Teaching or presentation talents and experience 
• Demonstrated success in facilitating family engagement 
• Demonstrated passion for working with people of diverse backgrounds 
• Demonstrated passion for working with children with diverse backgrounds and levels of ability toward accomplishing their educational and developmental goals 
• Model the Library’s values through daily actions and behaviors and create a positive work environment that encourages all to excel 
• Communicate effectively, including excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written skills 
• Work independently with expertise 
• Plan, organize and execute multiple projects effectively and efficiently 
• Achieve outcomes that advance the Library’s mission and vision 
• Demonstrated ability to establish short- and long-range goals and objectives and accomplish them through an effective plan 
• Demonstrated ability to successfully prioritize and multi-task 
• Demonstrated ability to be positive, adaptable, and forward thinking  
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and exercise diplomacy  
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships  
• 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  
• Exemplifies extraordinary customer service skills 
• You are knowledgeable about the community and current events 
• Demonstrated ability to engage children with an enthusiastic, friendly and approachable demeanor 
• Current valid driver’s license 

Your job at the library will be active:

• Job requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing and driving. In addition, strenuous activity may be required for such activities as setting up equipment or meeting rooms for events
• Requires vigorous activity, including standing, jumping, stretching, singing and sitting on the floor  
• Some driving may be required

Additional Details

• Position currently located at HCLS Administrative Branch
• Works under the supervision of the Community Outreach Coordinator
• Full-time: 37.5 hours per week; typically Monday – Friday between 8 am & 5 pm; evenings and weekends vary for community outreach requests and HCLS signature events
• Grade 9: Salary range: $46,356 - $81,286
• Position closes Friday, August 29, 2025

EEOC 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.