Early Years and Bookstart Officer

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the countywide Bookstart programme to ensure delivery to national standards and reaching every eligible child.
• Leading the planning and implementation of reading and literacy programmes for under 5s to develop new audiences, encourage use of library resources and promote the value of literacy.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in Inspire, Nottinghamshire County Council and partners in health and education to deliver services and maintain the quality of the Inspire offer.
• Monitoring and evaluating service performance and impact against agreed targets, and providing intervention where appropriate.
• Creating and contributing to relevant plans, ensuring the setting and delivery of appropriate targets and standards.
• Developing and delivering training for library staff and partner services to ensure effective delivery of library services to under 5s and the Bookstart Programme.
• Carrying out any duties or tasks assigned by management to meet service needs.

Additional responsibilities:

• Responsible for the delivery of Bookstart in Nottinghamshire.
• Financial responsibility of delegated budgets of £10,000.
• Management responsibility for the Early Years Team comprising 2 direct reports.
• Demonstrate effective customer service skills in person, online, by email or phone.
• Respond positively to customer concerns and complaints, resolving issues within the limits of authority.

Qualifications and experience required:

• Professional qualification relevant to work with early years children at National Qualifications Framework/Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 5 or above, or a graduate/postgraduate qualification in librarianship/information science.
• Knowledge of child development, particularly early literacy and language development, including government strategy for early years.
• Knowledge of the range of library services and an understanding of the role of libraries in promoting early language, literacy skills and lifelong learning.
• Experience of providing a senior level service to pre school children and their parents/carers in an early years, library or education setting.
• Experience of planning and delivery of services, leading staff and managing resources and performance.
• Experience of customer focused service delivery and working with partners.

Additional competency requirements (Level 3 5):

• Communicating clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing.
• Working collaboratively and maintaining effective relationships across the organisation and with external partners.
• Managing and supervising team activities, setting goals, reviewing performance and organising training.
• Using resources and time efficiently to meet service demand and targets.

Other information:

• Term: Contracted for 6 months from start date, with possible renewal on a 3 month basis.
• Working hours: 23 hours per week including occasional weekend work.
• Location: Mansfield Central Library, with county wide travel to libraries and community venues (predominantly Ashfield, Mansfield).