Department:

Libraries and Historical Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about connecting people with resources that make a difference? Sarasota County Libraries & Historical Resources is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist II to expand access to library services through adult literacy initiatives, community outreach, and engaging programs for all ages. In this role, you'll build partnerships with local organizations, deliver technology instruction, and bring library resources directly into the community using the County's outreach vehicle. If you enjoy working with diverse populations and creating meaningful community connections, we'd love to hear from you.

The ideal candidate has experience in adult education, adult literacy, community outreach, or planning and coordinating community events. Bilingual skills in Spanish or another language are preferred, along with experience collaborating with social service agencies, nonprofits, or community organizations. Strong communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills are essential, as is proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer applications to help plan, manage, and evaluate programs. Starting pay is $56,139.20 annually. Apply today!

About the Position

In this role, you will be responsible for...

Community Outreach:

• Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, nonprofits, County departments, and local agencies.

• Plan and deliver outreach programs, technology instruction, and library services for diverse audiences throughout Sarasota County.

• Operate the Pop-up Library vehicle, including transporting materials, loading/unloading book trucks, and visiting community locations.

• Manage and maintain the Pop-up Library collection to support community needs.

• Identify opportunities to expand outreach services and increase community engagement.

Customer Service:

• Provide exceptional customer service to library users, volunteers, staff, donors, and community partners.

• Promote library resources, literacy programs, and services through presentations, outreach, and community engagement.

• Support adult literacy initiatives by providing educational resources and recommending materials, including those for English language learners.

• Develop reader-focused collections and at-home learning kits to encourage lifelong learning.

• Respond to inquiries and partner communications with professionalism, courtesy, and timely follow-up.

Administration:

• Assist with circulation activities, including check-in/check-out, holds, billing, and missing materials.

• Track and compile program and service statistics to support reporting and planning.

Staff Development:

• Participate in cross-training and support the training of team members.

• Attend professional development opportunities to stay current on library services and best practices.

• Contribute to the planning and achievement of the Outreach Services team goals and initiatives.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Must be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

• Employees may be assigned to different library locations throughout the system based on operational needs.

• This position requires flexibility to work a variety of schedules, including days, evenings, weekends, and occasional split shifts, rotations, on-call assignments, or emergency response coverage.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• Associate degree in Communications, Education, Planning, Library and Information Science, or a related field and 2+ years of related work experience.

• OR: Bachelor’s Degree (preferred) in one of the related fields listed above may substitute for the required work experience.

• OR: 4+ years of related community events/activities planning may substitute for the required education.

• Valid Florida Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Experience in adult education, adult literacy, community outreach, or planning and coordinating community events.

• Bilingual in Spanish or another language preferred.

• Experience partnering with social service agencies, nonprofits, or community organizations.

• Strong communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills with diverse audiences.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer applications, with the ability to plan, manage, and evaluate programs.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 lbs. Employees can use handling devices (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessive poundage of 50-plus pounds.

Fingerprint Screening Requirement: This position requires a fingerprint-based background check, as required by law. The screening reviews criminal history and other legally permitted information. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements will not be eligible for employment. Learn more: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $56,139.20

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.