Afterschool and Summer Program Associate
Salt Lake City Public Library | Programming and Outreach
Location: Based at our Westside branches, which includes Glendale, Day-Riverside, Marmalade, and Chapman branches. Systemwide support in addition to these locations
Salary: $27.30/hour - Depending on Qualifications
Grade: 15
Posted: November 6th 2026
Closes: 7 positions to be filled on a rolling basis
Interviews: For initial hires - November 16th and 17th, December 7th and 8th
FLSA Status: Part-time/Non-Exempt
Union Status: Represented (AFSCME Local 1004)
Reports to: Afterschool and Summer Programs Supervisor
Eligible For Hire: Internal and External Applicants (including subs) - Preference will be given to internal applicants.
About the Library
The Salt Lake City Public Library connects all people to free resources, knowledge, and one another to build a thriving community. Across nine locations and through outreach citywide, we are working toward a Salt Lake City where everyone belongs, where knowledge and opportunity are shared by all, and where our connections to one another make the whole community stronger. Guided by our 2026–2034 Strategic Plan, staff advance this work through four priorities: creating belonging through access, reading and literacy for all, strengthening civic life, and building the capacity to sustain our impact.
Library employees are stewards of this vision in every interaction. They bring joy to their service, treat every person with dignity, act with courage and good judgment, and work as one team across the system. People who thrive here believe a library is more than a place to find information; it is a place where a community comes to know itself.
Click here to learn more about what makes The City Library a great place to work and why Salt Lake City is a great place to call home.
Important Note:
The City Library is currently engaged in strategic planning implementation. This position may evolve in the future based on organizational needs and strategic priorities.
About the Position
The Afterschool and Summer Program Associates will assist with delivering regular afterschool programs and outreach to school age children and teens at west side branches and across the library system. This is a hands-on role. They will coordinate activities, innovate, and connect participants with Library resources and values, at a variety of library locations and in the community. They will help prepare and maintain program materials and kits, and step in to support other Specialists across the team when a program needs extra hands. This role is the entry point to the Programming career path and mirrors the Associate Librarian role in Public Services.
Every role on the Programming team is a teaching role. We’re looking for people who enjoy helping others learn, who learn best by doing, and who get energy from working with the public. We try new ideas early and at a small scale, watch how participants respond, and improve from there. When a program doesn’t work the way we hoped, we treat that as useful information and adjust. Programming staff work in and from our nine locations, but they are also excited and willing to take programs outside the library's walls to other places where people gather across the city. We work with residents and partners to bring library programs into shared public spaces and help make them places people want to spend time.
Strategic Plan Alignment
This position directly aligns with the Salt Lake City Public Library’s 2026–2034 Strategic Plan, driving progress across the Reading and Literacy for All and Creating Belonging Through Access priorities. By delivering hands-on, positive youth development programming and outreach for school-age children and teens, the Afterschool Program Associate builds inclusive, welcoming environments where youth feel seen, supported, and connected. Through flexible, growth-mindset activity design and direct outreach in library branches, and neighborhood gathering places, this role empowers young people to build leadership strengths, explore new learning opportunities, and develop a lasting relationship with the Library.
Primary Responsibilities
- Program delivery. Assists with Youth Development programs and outreach for children and teens at library locations and community sites. Sets up and takes down program spaces, transports supplies and equipment between locations, and records attendance and participant feedback. Maintains flexibility in order to pivot on the spot when activities need adjustments to meet participants where they are. Serves youth of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds equitably, without discrimination or exclusion.
- Growth mindset. Brings new activity ideas to the team and tests them in live programs. Notices what participants respond to, keeps what works, drops what does not, and shares the results.
- Welcoming environment. Creates an inclusive, effective space where youth feel they belong. Explains and maintains Library policies and program expectations for participants and families. Handles difficult interactions and knows when to bring in a supervisor.
- Positive Youth Development. Engages youth in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youth's strengths and assets; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
- Working relationships. Fosters good working relationships with diverse people including staff, participants, volunteers, community partners, and vendors. Accepts assignments from the Sr. Specialist, Department Manager, or other Library staff in a professional and timely manner. Manages positive relationships with branch staff; collaborates on behavior management.
- Program materials and kits. Designates worktime to prepare, organize, and maintain program materials, kits, and equipment. Assembles kits for upcoming programs, restocks after use, tracks inventory, flags what needs repair or replacement, and keeps storage spaces usable. May handle small purchases for program supplies.
- Team Support. Able to step in as a second set of hands for Specialists at other locations or outside Youth Development when a program needs support. Knows the basics of several program areas so the team can flex when someone is out or a program runs large. Supports volunteers and newer staff. Able to step in and lead a program in another Associate’s absence.
- Event Promotion. Works with Supervisor to create promotional materials that draw people into programs. Helps capture photos, quotes, and stories from programs.
- Committees and workgroups. May participate in Youth Development planning meetings and workgroups on activities that align with Strategic Plan outcomes for youth.
- Community presence. May conduct outreach and deliver programs in schools, parks, plazas, and other public spaces across the city. Talks with people about what they want from library programs and brings that back to the team.
- Other duties. Performs other duties as assigned or required. Actively supports other teams on the Programming and Outreach division as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate Degree or 60+ completed college credits with two or more years demonstrated youth programming experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge and skill to perform the primary responsibilities.
- 1 year of experience working with youth, school-age children, or teens in formal or informal settings (e.g., afterschool programs, mentoring, tutoring, childcare, or volunteering).
- Enthusiasm for working with the public and interacting with youth.
- Comfortable learning by doing: trying a new idea quickly, watching how people respond, and adjusting on the spot.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, ability to work with teams, and the ability to motivate and connect with diverse individuals and groups.
- Organized and dependable with materials and logistics; comfortable keeping kits, supplies, and shared spaces ready for others to use.
- Willingness to support programs outside your own specialty and to learn the basics of other areas.
- Intermediate knowledge of operating a computer and common programs.
- Ability to work days, evenings as scheduled and to travel between library locations and community sites (mileage reimbursement available).
Preferred Qualifications
- Completion of a Bachelor's Degree and one year of related experience in afterschool programming, or community program coordination.
- Spanish language and/or other international language skills.
- Experience working with K-12 students in a school, camp, museum, library, recreation, or community setting.
- Experience running activities in public or informal settings.
- Experience managing supplies, kits, or inventory for a classroom, camp, theater, makerspace, or similar setting.
- Experience with outdoor or public-space events.
Working Environment
- Work is performed inside library locations and outside them in schools, public spaces, and partner sites.
- May include travel between library locations and community sites. Must have transportation. If using a personal vehicle, must maintain state required insurance.
- Subject to repetitive movement; standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of objects. May be subject to standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to lift/carry program materials and equipment, up to 50 lbs, and push/pull carts.
- Subject to intermittent periods of inclement weather during outdoor programs and outreach.
Schedule
- Part-time, 18 hours per week. Some evenings and weekends may be required based on program schedules. Generally, hours will be worked within the 12pm - 6pm window during weekdays during the school year, with a mix of 4 hour to 6 hour shifts. During the summer, hours may shift to accommodate a different programming schedule.
Other Information
- Completion of criminal background check will be required if the candidate is over eighteen (18) years of age.
- The City Library participates in the federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). Employment is contingent upon confirmation of your employment eligibility through the E-Verify system.
- The City Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.
Compensation
- Starting Range Grade 15; Minimum $27.30/hour. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
- This is a part-time position and includes excellent leave benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.
