Job Description
Librarian (Middle and Upper School)
Exciting Opportunity at Francis Parker School in San Diego, California
Francis Parker School is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate educator who shares its core values: Students First, Academic Excellence, Global Perspective, Strength of Character, Inclusive Community, and No Limit to Better. Collegial and collaborative, Parker faculty create a learning environment that is dynamic and engaging. Parker faculty are content and pedagogical experts who invest in professional growth generously supported by the School. Importantly, Parker’s unswerving commitment to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community creates a culture of respect for all.
If Parker’s values and school culture resonate with you, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.
About Francis Parker School:
Francis Parker School is a coeducational independent day school in San Diego, California with 1235 students in grades JK-12. Founded in 1912, the school’s mission is “to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world”.
Overlooking Mission Valley, two separate campuses serve students in Lower School – junior kindergarten through 5th grade; Middle School – 6th grade through 8th grade and Upper School – 9th grade through 12th grade. As a college preparatory school Parker offers a comprehensive program that includes twenty-five advanced placement courses as well as a rich palette of electives – all designed to meet the individual needs of our students.
Job Description:
Situated at the center of our Middle and Upper School campus, our library is a modern, state-of-the-art building that houses an extensive physical and digital collection, provides collaboration and study areas for classes and student groups. Parker believes that our librarians should strive to create an environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning, resource-based learning, collaboration with fellow faculty members, and that has ample physical, technological and digital resources to support teaching and learning.
We are seeking an individual who will continue the excellent leadership of our library as a learning hub for our Middle and Upper School campus. This individual should have an open mindset regarding the role of the library on a school campus: holding a flexible stance about the future of libraries and having a vision for an innovative, welcoming, and energizing space, while also honoring and valuing the tradition of reading and literacy that a library brings to a school. The librarian has direct purview over the physical space of the library, manages a library assistant, oversees the budget for the library, collaborates extensively with faculty and students, provides information about research resources and techniques, teaches students about relevant library skills, and provides direct supervision of the library spaces. The librarian will collaborate with a variety of faculty and staff to provide a cohesive program and experience for students and faculty in grades 6 - 12.
A love of children, a passionate commitment to maintaining an engaging, relevant, and comprehensive library collection for use by students, faculty, and the Parker community, and a desire to work with all types of learners is a must.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Research, select, and order new books and resources as needed
- Effectively sift through physical and digital collections annually to ensure the collection is up-to-date and meets the learning needs of the School
- Actively promote a love of reading and literacy in students
- Teach small groups and full classes on research methods and resources, the appropriate use of both physical and digital resources, and strategies for balancing the use of all available research resources
- Collaborate with a variety of faculty and staff to provide cross-disciplinary, hands-on, student oriented learning experiences
- Curate student work examples for public display within the library and around campus as appropriate
- Effectively identify resources and share those resources that enhance curriculum and instruction practices
- Create and sustain conversations for learning among faculty and students
- Supervise the physical space of the library and engage students in appropriate use of the various library spaces
- Use effective instructional practices when teaching groups and/or classes
- Assist faculty and students with research projects, teach teachers how to use new resources that become available, help students find resources, especially digital resources
- Supervise and evaluate employee(s) assigned to work in the library
- Provide assistance with maintenance of the archives collection of the School
- Collaborate and vertically align library practices, policies, and student expectations with our Lower School Library staff.
Additional Info & Requirements
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences and/or a State Issued Librarian Certificate
- Extensive knowledge of print resources appropriate for a grade 6 - 12 program
- Strong comfort with technology, including emerging technologies and the use of technology to enhance the educational program
- Effective use of technology for communication, presentation, and teaching purposes
- Previous experience working with students in grades 6 - 12 and in working with Middle and Upper School faculties
- Proven history of creating a positive learning environment that allows for both the intellectual hum of students engaging in work together while balancing the needs of students who thrive in an environment of individual quiet study.
- Proven collaborative experience with faculty
- Holds a vision of the future of the library while simultaneously paying close attention to the details involved in the day-to-day management of the library and its associated resources
- Proven history of sound fiscal management of a complex budget
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with making presentations to groups of students, faculty, and/or community members
- Strong interpersonal skills with students aged 11 to 18 - firm yet flexible, relates well to students, upholds school policy and expectations, collaborates with students to find solutions to problems and identify potential resources
- Experience managing and supervising library personnel and/or instructional assistants
- Able to work flexibly in dynamic environments.
Salary and Benefits:
Francis Parker School is committed to attracting and retaining the highest quality faculty and staff through a substantial compensation plan, including competitive salary, TIAA retirement benefits and full medical/dental coverage. Individual salary is negotiable depending on years of experience and educational background.
Non-Discrimination:
Francis Parker School values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds. All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
Application Process:
A cover letter, resume, transcripts and application should be submitted electronically to:
parkerjobs@francisparker.org