Career Center

The Bush School is dedicated to valuing different perspectives and backgrounds, inspiring curiosity, motivating employees to take risks, and encouraging compassion and kindness. Our employees enjoy an environment that inspires creativity while being part of a collaborative community.

Middle and Upper School Teaching Librarian (Seattle, WA)

Full Time (1.0 FTE)

2022-2023 Academic Year Schedule

Compensation is based upon experience

*  This position is eligible for health and retirement benefits (details during hiring process).

*  This position requires applicants to be, at the time of application, legally authorized to work in the United States. The Bush School does not offer visa sponsorship for this position and will not consider applicants who require visa sponsorship.

The Bush School is in search of an innovator to join our Library/Technology Department as a Middle and Upper School Teaching Librarian.  We are seeking a candidate who will support the school’s mission of diversity and inclusion and who has a background that demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of intercultural fluency.  We are building a team in which diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and talents are valued in order to work with a diverse community of students, faculty, staff and families. We encourage those of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Organizationally, the Middle and Upper School Teaching Librarian reports to the Director of Technology, Systems, and Extended Day Programs and works closely with students and families, as well as division directors, faculty, staff and library team members. The library at Bush is entering a stage of transformation that will require flexible thinking, creative input, adaptability, and support of changes for subject-area teachers. If you are open to new ideas about customer service in the media and information profession, and you would like to help guide this development, we want to hear from you.

While other duties may be assigned, a qualified candidate will be able to manage the key responsibilities and duties listed below:

• Guide and support teachers in the integration of 21st century research and communication techniques into curriculum, including critical media literacy, the design thinking process, creative problem solving, and collaborative authorship
• Advise colleagues and administrators through the transformation of a traditional library collection into a modern approach to media and information literacies
• Teach information literacy curriculum to students in grades 6-12, with an understanding of digital research methods and media literacy education
• Collaborate with subject-area teachers to integrate media and information literacy threads into class projects
• Perform library duties; including, but not limited to, patron reference, readers’ advisory, and collection development
• Carry out library policies and procedures, and recommend changes to policy when appropriate
• Share responsibility for selection, acquisition, and weeding of library collection materials
• Support media use and research in the classroom and offer small group support as needed
• Lead groups of students in classes, experiential intensives, advisories, K-12 encounters, and other groupings
• Promote a life-long love of research and media through engaging curriculum, programming, and outreach
• Initiate and participate in collaborative work with faculty that teach students in grades 6 through 12, to include specialists in a variety of disciplines
• Co-manage the library budget, to include tracking expenses, purchasing materials, and auditing records
• Collaborate effectively with the Assistant Head of School for Academics, the Middle and Upper School Division Directors, and other school leaders around institutional programming and events
• Work cooperatively as a team member of an integrated Library and Instructional Technology Department

Academic and Professional Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in library, information science, education or related field is required
• A graduate degree in library, information science, education or related field is preferred
• Library and classroom teaching experience is required, with a minimum of 3 years preferred
• Exposure to or experience with innovative ways of arranging library spaces, delivering information services, and engaging students as agents in their own learning is preferred
• Experience with library databases and cataloging is required, including principles of MARC records, Dewey, and LOC, and preferably with Follett Destiny
• Knowledge of research databases is required, including Gale and JSTOR
• Experience designing and implementing curriculum that is informed by a deep knowledge of media and information literacy and child development is required
• Demonstrated interest in exploring ways literature, media, technology, and other library resources can transform learning for our students and faculty is required
• Understanding of the principles of experiential education and experience teaching according to that educational philosophy is preferred
• Experience working in an integrated library and instructional technology department and interest and ability to participate in Maker and other technology programs is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and carry out collaborative work with 6th-12th teachers in a variety of disciplines is required

Successful candidates will also:

• Enjoy working with young people of all ages and backgrounds
• Show eagerness to collaborate in envisioning and establishing a modern approach to library science education
• Have experience in centering equity, inclusivity and intercultural fluency and supporting initiatives that align with the school’s mission and guiding principles
• Display an ease while working with students, parents, faculty, staff and other constituencies
• Demonstrate initiative regarding job related tasks, responsibilities and projects
• Collaborate and work well in team settings within a matrixed reporting structure
• Communicate effectively (verbally, visually, in writing, and online) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff and families in order to maintain constructive and professional relationships
• Be dependable and professional: e.g. be punctual, complete work in a timely manner, be calm under pressure, and exercise sound judgement
• Practice strong interpersonal skills, to include being patient and positive
• Find the joy in the journey of promoting a lifelong love of learning
• Have a proficient ability with the use of technology including, but not limited to: Microsoft 365 suite and Google Workspace, with an aptitude and willingness to learn and incorporate new software. 
• Be willing to participate in professional growth/development opportunities and seek feedback 

Other Requirements:

• Have a current Adult and Children CPR, First Aid and AED Certification (or receive this soon after hire)
• Meet the school’s standards when completing two background screenings
• Meet the school’s COVID vaccination requirements. The Bush School is committed to providing a safe environment and campus for students, employees and visitors alike. In support of this commitment, candidates who are invited to campus during the hiring process will be required to provide proof of their full COVID-19 vaccination* to the school’s Main Office, prior to attending their on-campus appointment. Newly hired employees shall provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain school approval of a religious or medical exemption, prior to being allowed to work at The Bush School. Requests for a COVID-19 vaccination accommodation due to medical or religious reasons are made to the school’s Director of Human Resources. 

*Full COVID-19 vaccination is defined as one J&J, two Pfizer or Moderna, plus booster when eligible.

HOW TO APPLY 

Applicants interested in applying for this opportunity should visit our website at www.bush.edu and navigate to the employment section of the website (found under the “About Bush” tab) for additional information/instructions.

If you are interested in working at The Bush School, but this position doesn’t fit your talents, please visit our website for additional openings: www.bush.edu.

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

The Bush School is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admission or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information.  In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment based on the basis of age or marital status.