The Wichita Public Library has an opening for a Children’s Librarian specializing in services for youth ages 0 to 11. This position is part of the Youth Services team in the Advanced Learning Library. The preferred start date for this position is 8/4/2025.
Our successful candidate will be a person with a passion for working with children and their adult caregivers, as well as demonstrated skill and creativity in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate children’s learning opportunities. A strong commitment to customer service and excellent interpersonal skills are a must as this librarian will be expected to perform reference, reader’s advisory and customer account services to visitors in the library’s Children’s and Teen Pavilions. We are also looking for candidates with outstanding communication and public presentation skills, knowledge of children’s literature and principles of child development, competency with technologies including personal computer applications and integrated library systems, and experience with early literacy initiatives. Spanish language skills are preferred.
Requirements of Work
Our preferred candidate must also demonstrate a strong customer service commitment; knowledge of children's literature and principles of child development; and competency with technologies including personal computer applications and integrated library systems.
Additional requirements of the work include:
- Thorough knowledge of library methods, principles, and practices.
- Thorough knowledge of reference materials and tools of research.
- Considerable knowledge of reader interest and of books and authors.
- Ability to: push a loaded book cart, weighing up to 250 pounds; reach, bend, stoop, or squat and arrange books on library shelves; use manually operated office tools and supplies; hold, inspect, turn single pages, and read books weighing up to fifteen pounds with pages made from papers of a wide range of quality and thickness.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, in writing, and/or by whatever creative means are necessary to cross communication barriers.
- Residency within thirty minutes lawful driving time of the corporate limits of the City of Wichita will be required of the successful applicant
CITY OF WICHITA FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
1. VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
4. HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
6.LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
10.RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
12. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
13. MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Deferred Compensation Investment Program
Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)
Bereavement Pay
Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
Voluntary Shared Leave Program
Training Programs
Longevity Pay
Credit Union
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Injury Leave (on-job injury)
Community Volunteer Events
Wichita, the largest city in Kansas with a population of 395,699, is the county seat of Sedgwick County. Major highways, including the Kansas Turnpike, U.S. 400 and Interstate I-135, link the city with a large trade area that encompasses a population of more than one million people within a 100-mile radius.
Wichita has evolved into a cultural and entertainment center. The downtown district offers restaurants, retail shops, museums and parks. INTRUST Bank Arena, located in downtown Wichita, features a total potential capacity of over 15,000.
Several universities are located in Wichita, the largest being Wichita State University. Wichita State University was founded as Fairmount College in 1895 as a municipal university, and joined the State Board of Regents system in 1964. Friends University and Newman University are also located in Wichita.
Commute times are the lowest among the 100 major metropolitan markets. Wichita has also been named the most "Uniquely American" city by Newsmax Magazine, in addition to being designated an "All-American City" five times.
The Greater Wichita region is a region on the rise, regularly appearing at the top of national rankings across a wide range of industry and quality of life indicators. The following are a few of the region’s accolades and areas of recognition.
External Job Ad
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wichita/jobs/2556967/childrens-librarian