YOUTH SPECIALIST I RFT

St. Louis Public Library 

Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you want to create and offer fun programs? Does connecting a child or their caregiver to the perfect book or resource inspire you? St. Louis Public Library’s newly renovated Julia Davis Branch is seeking a Youth Specialist I. The Library values the talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings and how this positively impacts our services and customer base. We seek people who understand these values to join our team. 

Our ideal candidate is someone who will connect the community to our resources to further our primary mission as a customer-centered public library providing vital services to the people of St. Louis. 

This position is responsible for developing and implementing engaging youth programs that respond to community needs, representing the Library through outreach, and ensuring all young people have a positive experience at the Library. 

In this role you will:

• Ensure that youth and caregivers who visit the Library feel welcomed and find resources that meet their needs. 

• Develop and implement engaging programs for all ages of youth, including storytimes, STEM programs, and more. 

• Implement and shape key Library initiatives that impact youth, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and our STL Summer Adventure reading program.

• Provide circulation assistance, including checkouts and card applications, and assist customers utilizing Library technology.

• Establish and maintain working relations with schools and other community organizations to promote library services to students, teachers, and caregivers.

You will need to be:

• Committed to serving St. Louis Public Library’s diverse customer base and developing your own cultural awareness.

• Friendly, outgoing, and able to work with youth of all ages.

• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to work with competing tasks and priorities.

• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

You will need to have:

• At least one year of experience working with youth in a professional setting, or a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Education, or related field.

• Strong communication, writing, and speaking skills

• Strong technical skills and an understanding of how technology can be incorporated into learning opportunities  

• Access to reliable transportation for outreach and other job duties.

Benefits include:

• Competitive pay starting at $19.74 per hour

• Medical, dental, and life insurance

• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick days

• Pension plan through the Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

• Partial tuition reimbursement for approved courses

• Professional Development Opportunities 

Schedule

Mon/Wed - 11:40-8:10; Tues/Thurs - 8:40-5:10; Alternating every other Friday and Saturday. 

Every 6th Sunday. Hours are subject to change.

About Julia Davis Library:

• Originally opened in 1974 at 4666 Natural Bridge Avenue. The branch was relocated to a brand new facility at its present location in September 1991.

• The Library broke with tradition by dedicating the branch in 1991 in honor of a living person, local educator and activist Dr. Julia Davis.

• 15,000 square foot facility with 2 meeting spaces (one auditorium & one computer lab)

• Collection size approximation is 50,000 (includes juvenile, adult, and audio-visual materials)

• The Branch houses one of the Library’s Creative Experience technology centers!

• The Julia Davis Branch is currently undergoing restoration following localized damage from the May 15, 2025 tornado with reopening coming soon! 

About the neighborhood:

The Julia Davis Branch is located north and slightly west of Downtown St. Louis City on Natural Bridge Avenue, a major thoroughfare in North St. Louis. The library is within the Penrose neighborhood. The Julia Davis Branch has a special connection to the community it serves. In 1961, local educator and activist Dr. Julia Davis donated funds for the creation of the Julia Davis African American Collection. This collection explores the unique contributions of African American literature, history, and culture. Her initial contributions have been carried on by the St. Louis Public Library and today feature more than 3,000 items, including biographies, literature, music, and films.

To apply: