Children's Area Supervisor

GREENVILLE COUNTY (SC) LIBRARY SYSTEM
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, NO. 2025-083
Posting Date: Monday, May 19, 2025    Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Position: Children’s Area Supervisor, Youth Services, Hughes Main Library    
Pay: $49,977 per year, plus benefits
         
Status: Regular Full-time, Exempt    Available: June 2025
Location: Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, South Carolina
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30a-5:00p, with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed. Schedule requires flexibility to cover unanticipated staffing needs.

FUNCTION
Under the supervision of the Youth Services Manager, this position:
•    Oversees the operation of the Children's Area at the Main Library including development and maintenance of the Children's Area materials collection, and planning and presenting programs and events to children.
•    Supervises Children's Area staff.
•    Provides assistance, instruction, and programs to Children’s Area patrons.
•    Embodies the Library System’s code of service by creating an atmosphere where customers and employees feel invited, informed, impressed and inspired. 
•    Greets customers and employees with a welcoming smile, and enthusiastically provides knowledgeable and meaningful assistance. 
•    Performs work in accord with the Library System’s vision and mission, using good judgment and ethical behavior in the application of policies and established procedures.

MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
Required:
•    Master’s Degree in Library Science from an A.L.A. accredited college or university. 
•    Three years of progressive professional library experience, one of which must have been at the supervisory level. 
•    Considerable experience working with children in a library or formal learning environment. 
•    Certified or eligible for certification by the South Carolina State Library. 
•    Other combinations of experience and training that meet the minimum requirements may be considered.
Preferred:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education or related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have the ability to:
•    concentrate for long periods of time
•    speak clearly and distinctly
•    hear and/or comprehend verbal communication
•    see and interpret all job-related materials
•    operate library equipment as assigned
•    lift up and carry to 40 pounds for a distance of 300 feet
•    push book carts weighing over 100 pounds
•    move, setup, fold, and stack tables and chairs
•    sit for long periods of time
•    stand for long periods of time
•    walk, bend and stoop 
•    reach, grasp and use hands to touch, handle, or feel
•    type on an ongoing basis for long periods of time, using both hands
•    tolerate low levels of dust and mold associated with working books and other library materials
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
These tasks are illustrative only; to carry out the day-to-day functions of the job, other duties may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Essential job functions designated with (E).

•    Provides assistance in reference, reader’s advisory, referral, and circulation services to Children’s Area users. (E)
•    Assigns, instructs, directs and supervises staff. (E)
•    Participates in the interviewing of applicants for staff positions and makes recommendations for selecting new employees. (E)
•    Provides training for subordinates; reviews performance of subordinates, and makes recommendations for improvement/growth as appropriate. (E)
•    Communicates and enforces the Library System’s Code of Conduct and other policies, procedures, and regulations. (E)
•    Prepares staff schedules, records attendance/schedule change requests, approves leave requests and timesheets, and requests supplemental coverage as needed. (E)
•    Makes recommendations to Youth Services Manager regarding the development and maintenance of the Children’s Area collection; weeds collection based on condition, timeliness, and use. (E)
•    Assists in planning improvements in Youth Services, including budget recommendations, formulation of goals and objectives, evaluation and implementation of best practices in child development and program presentation. (E)
•    Plans, organizes, schedules, and implements programs with emphasis on children ages birth through sixth grade and their caregivers. (E)
•    Coordinates and dispatches program substitutes as needed to maintain previously scheduled system wide programming. (E)  
•    Establishes and maintains relationships with local schools, agencies, and organizations. (E)
•    Ensures safety in the Children’s Area and coordinates maintenance and repair requests for the Children’s Area. (E)  
•    Creates and proofs signage and flyers for all Children’s Area programs using the Style Guide and Editable Sign Templates provided by the Communications department. 
•    Reviews and studies professional literature to keep abreast of developments in library and information science, especially related to Children’s Services. (E)
•    Answers questions on Library System operations, policies, and procedures. (E) 
•    Handles problems and complaints related to the Children’s Area. (E) 
•    Provides oversight and staff assistance with circulation policies and procedures. (E)
•    Assists in evaluation of children’s materials that are subject to patron request for reconsideration or that otherwise require reevaluation. (E)
•    Works with Volunteer Coordinator to train, schedule, and supervise work of volunteers in the unit as appropriate. (E)
•    Manages and operates library equipment, including personal computers, telecommunications equipment, photocopier and audiovisual equipment. Provides instruction and demonstrates use as needed. (E)
•    Ensures safe work methods are followed to prevent injury. (E)
•    Works a schedule that meets the needs of the unit. (E)
•    Maintains regular and reliable attendance and remains compliant with the Library System’s Attendance Guidelines. (E)
•    Performs other related duties as required, including those of any staff member in the unit.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS/ABILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS
(Testing of computer skills may be part of the interview process for this position.)
Knowledge:
•    Knowledge of children’s literature and child development. 
•    Knowledge of STEM activities.
•    Thorough knowledge of modern library principles and major fields of learning.
•    Knowledge of library computer systems and applications, online databases, office software, email, and mobile devices.
•    Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
•    Knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic. 
Skills/Abilities
•    Ability to plan and execute engaging, age appropriate children’s programs.
•    Ability to learn and enforce the Library System’s policies, procedures, and regulations to customers and employees. 
•    Ability to maintain confidentiality of customer records and other identifiable customer uses of Library System resources and services, security-related incidents, and personnel issues.
•    Ability to effectively exercise discretion, independent judgment, and critical thinking to resolve staff, patron, and operational problems within established guidelines.
•    Ability to deal with difficult individuals in unusual situations with tact and diplomacy.
•    Ability to communicate concepts, general information, and task-related information in or
•    Ability to plan, organize, and direct a complete program of Library activities. 
•    Ability to supervise and direct the work of others and provide coaching, training, and disciplinary actions, as needed.
•    Ability to provide adequate instruction and directions to subordinates. 
•    Ability to work under frequently stressful conditions and meet required deadlines. 
•    Good personal computing skills, including effective use of word processing and spreadsheet programs, various Internet browsers and email. 
•    Skilled in the operation and care of computer equipment and barcode equipment. 
•    Ability to communicate concepts, general information, and task-related information in oral, written, and electronic forms. 
•    Preferred: Bilingual – English/Spanish skills.
•    Preferred: Touch typing skills.

Characteristics:
•    Enjoys interacting with people and possesses a strong commitment to providing an exemplary customer experience.
•    Enjoys working in a leadership role, providing direction and guidance to staff. 
•    Establishes rapport with others in person and on the telephone, and maintains effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, and volunteers. 
•    Is ethical, approachable, trustworthy, and apolitical.
•    Works calmly and effectively in stressful situations. 
•    Follows established procedures and instructions received from supervisor. 
•    Works well in a team environment.
•    Values technology as a tool, staying on top of technology trends.
•    Recognizes change as an ongoing opportunity for growth. 
•    Performs routine tasks efficiently and without difficulty.
•    Is receptive to feedback, willing to learn, and embraces continuous improvement.
•    Takes ownership of work, does what is needed without being asked, and follows through until task is resolved.
•    Arrives on time, works hours as scheduled, and maintains a good attendance record.