Children’s Literacy Program Specialist
Salt Lake City Public Library | Programming and Outreach
Location: Systemwide
Salary: $31.36/hour - Depending on Qualifications
Grade: 17
Posted: November 6th, 2026
Closes: January 4th 2027
Interviews: January 4th-15th, 2027
Target Start Date: January 25th, 2027
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Full Time
Union Status: Represented (AFSCME Local 1004)
Reports to: Children’s Services and Literacy Manager
Eligible For Hire: Internal Employee, Regularly Scheduled 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 Children’s Literacy Specialist will design and deliver library programs and outreach in children’s literacy across the system. They own a portfolio of programs from first rough idea through delivery and evaluation - including key initiatives such as the Youth Literacy Project, managing the Grow A Reader website, and overseeing early literacy reading campaigns like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Read 20 for 20. They bring genuine subject expertise in the science behind reading and literacy development and direct the work of Associates and volunteers in their programs. Specialists spend most of their time in front of people, not at a planning table. This role mirrors the 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 plays a pivotal role in operationalizing the Salt Lake City Public Library’s 2026–2034 Strategic Plan, serving as a direct catalyst for the Reading and Literacy for All priority. Grounded in the science of reading and evidence-based literacy practices, the Children’s Literacy Specialist designs and manages high-impact early literacy campaigns and initiatives - such as the Youth Literacy Project, Grow A Reader, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, and Read 20 for 20. By bringing evidence-based reading strategies into library locations, digital platforms, and community spaces, this role equips caregivers, mentors staff, and ensures that children across Salt Lake City build the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning and success.
Primary Responsibilities
- Program design and delivery. Designs and delivers a portfolio of programs, campaigns, and outreach in children’s literacy for young children, youth, and families at all library locations and in community settings. Oversees key literacy initiatives, including the Youth Literacy Project and reading programs such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Read 20 for 20. Assists with the annual Summer Reading Challenge. Sets a clear learning goal for each program and delivers it with skill and energy.
- Rapid prototyping. Gets new program ideas in front of participants fast. Runs pilots, one-off tests, and small versions before scaling anything. Keeps planning light and iteration frequent. Expected to launch several new experiments each quarter and to retire programs that stop working.
- Subject expertise. Maintains advanced knowledge of the science behind reading and child literacy development, as well as current best practices in informal education. Applies evidence-based literacy strategies, manages digital resources like the Grow A Reader website, and recommends tools, materials, and approaches. Serves as a go-to resource for staff, caregivers, and the community in early literacy development.
- Welcoming environment. Creates a safe, inclusive space where participants feel they belong. Handles difficult interactions and solves problems, escalating to a supervisor when needed. Excels in serving a diverse population.
- Working relationships. Fosters good working relationships with diverse people including staff, participants, volunteers, vendors, and community partners. Accepts and completes assignments from the supervisor or other Library staff in a professional and timely manner.
- Partnerships and community presence. Builds relationships with schools, organizations, artists, practitioners, and agencies focused on children’s literacy. Spends time in the community learning what people want and testing ideas with them directly.
- Activating public spaces. Designs and delivers programs in parks, plazas, and other public spaces across the city, working alongside Salt Lake City departments, events, and neighborhood groups. Adapts programs so they work outdoors and for people passing by, not just people who signed up. Helps identify underused spaces where library programming could bring people together.
- Leadership and mentoring. Directs the day-to-day work of associates and volunteers in programs. Mentors staff. Helps the supervisor with program coverage. May act as team lead in the Sr. Specialist's absence.
- Program materials and digital resources. Maintains content for the Grow A Reader Initiative, including the website and keeps supplies, literacy kits, and equipment for youth literacy programs stocked and in good condition. Recommends purchases and tracks spending against the assigned supply budget.
- Training. Trains Programming and other staff on delivering programs on children’s literacy and on related policies and procedures. May be asked to do system-wide training.
- Evaluation. Collects attendance, outcome, and participant feedback in simple, quick ways. Uses it to improve the next program, not just to report on the last one. Shares results with the supervisor and Communications.
- Project management. Leads the creation and execution of substantial projects such as program series, festivals, grant-funded initiatives, or new service pilots while working with Library teams.
- Committees and workgroups. Takes on a leadership role when participating in committees or workgroups on activities outlined in the Strategic Plan.
- Other duties. Performs other duties as assigned or required. Actively supports other teams on the Programming and Outreach division as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completion of a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Literacy, Education, Library and Information Science, or a related field, and experience teaching or facilitating programs in children’s literacy and reading development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge and skill to perform the primary responsibilities.
- 1 year of experience leading and mentoring other experts in literacy program development.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child development, foundational reading science, and early literacy instructional practices.
- Enthusiasm for teaching people of all ages and a genuine pull toward working with the public.
- Comfort learning by doing: trying a new idea quickly, watching how people respond, and adjusting on the spot.
- A record of launching new programs or activities and improving them through repetition rather than upfront planning.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, ability to work with teams, and the ability to motivate and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups.
- Experience taking a leadership role on a workgroup, task force, or project.
- Experience mentoring other employees or volunteers.
- Intermediate knowledge of operating a computer and common programs.
- Required to maintain professional knowledge and skills through reading professional journals, viewing related webinars, and attending training or professional conferences.
- Ability to work days, nights, or weekends as scheduled and to travel between library locations and community sites.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing early literacy initiatives, managing web content (such as Grow A Reader), or coordinating community reading challenges like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.
- Experience designing programs with clear learning goals.
- Experience delivering programs in a public library, museum, school, or community setting.
- Experience delivering programs in parks, plazas, or other public spaces, or partnering with a city or public agency.
- Desire to serve all age ranges: children, teens, and adults.
- Spanish language and/or other non-English language skills.
Working Environment
- Work is performed inside library locations and outside them in public and community settings such as parks, plazas, schools, shelters, public spaces, and partner sites. A significant share of work happens outdoors and in shared public spaces.
- Regular 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.
- Must have good hand mobility and coordination.
- Subject to intermittent periods of inclement weather during outdoor programs and outreach.
Schedule
- Full-time, 40 hours per week. Evenings and weekends will be required based on program schedules.
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 17; Minimum $31.36. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
- This is a full-time position and includes excellent benefits such as paid vacation, health and life insurance, and Utah Retirement Systems benefits.
