Business Specialist

Description

Under the supervision of the Adult Services Manager, the Business Specialist at the Champaign Public Library assists customers who want to create, start, or grow their business. This position is responsible for developing business-related programs, community partnerships, young entrepreneur programming, seminars, roundtables, and coordinating guest speakers.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate business-related programming
• Cookout business-related programs requiring outside speakers
• Develop and expand library’s holdings of business-related print and digital resources
• Conduct outreach to educate public and raise awareness of business resources at the library
• Build partnerships with relevant leaders, businesses, organizations, and groups
• Attend networking events to build rapport with community members and local businesses
• Train staff to use and understand business-related resources to assist customers with business information needs
• Maintain current awareness of developments in technology as they relate to libraries and library users, including knowledge of mobile and handheld devices
• Assist and advise customers with their use of library resources, including books, movies, music, media, and digital resources
• Assists with training staff and volunteers
• Answer informational and reference questions for customers
• Attend and participate in professional activities, conferences, and committees, including on-site and virtual professional development opportunities and training
• Aid in monitoring and correcting customer behavior to ensure a safe and welcoming environment
• Participate in departmental and library-wide training and activities, including technology and safety training
• Provide excellent internal and external customer service

Requirements

• Experience with entrepreneurship, business practices and business development
• Knowledge of business trends
• Knowledge of business-related print and digital resources
• Ability to issue guidance and ensure compliance with the Library’s Rules of Conduct
• Exceptional customer service skills and enthusiasm for working with the public
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with workplace productivity software, including skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Able to vary work schedule as needed
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving history, and personal automobile for job-related transportation
• Satisfactory pre-employment background check

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Library Science degree (MLS) from ALA-accredited institution required
• Customer service experience in a public library experience preferred
• Knowledge of Spanish and/or French is helpful

Benefits

• Vacation leave accrual: 4.3846 hours per bi-weekly pay period for the 1st year, 5.8462 hours per bi-weekly pay period for the 2nd through 7th years, 7.3077 hours per bi-weekly pay period for the 8th and succeeding years
• Sick leave: 98.8 hours per year, accruing at 3.8 hours per pay period. Sick Leave can be used as soon as accrued, according to the guidelines in the Staff Handbook
• Holidays: The Library is closed on the following nine (9) days: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day. With the exception of Easter Sunday, all of these days are paid holidays. The Library will remain open for Juneteenth and staff members will receive a floating holiday
• Health Insurance: The Library provides health insurance for the employee, with 100% less a small cost share paid by employee of the premium paid by the Library. Dependent coverage is available; the Library pays 50% of the premium, and the employee pays the remainder. If selected, health insurance benefits are effective on the first day of employment. Open enrollment for health insurance is typically in February with a March 1 effective date
• Dental & Vision Insurance: Dental insurance and Vision insurance plans are available, with the employee responsible for the entire monthly premium. Details can be provided upon request. Please note dental coverage starts on the first of the month after 30 days of service. For example: If your start date is July 21, your coverage will start August 1. Open enrollment for Vision & Dental insurance is typically in December with a January 1 effective date
• Life Insurance: The Library pays for $12,000 of coverage. Optional Supplemental Life for employee and dependents is available; details are available from the Business Office
• Employee Assistance Program: The Library provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program. The cost of this service is paid entirely by the Library. Employees or their family members may arrange for counseling sessions on any area of concern, personal or professional
• Retirement: Library employees participate in IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) a defined benefit pension plan. Employees contribute 4.5% of salary tax deferred, and are vested in the plan after ten years. The Library provides an employer contribution that is calculated annually
• Deferred Compensation Plans: Library employees are offered the opportunity to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement plan
• Flexible Spending: Employees may choose to set aside pre-tax payroll dollars to pay for annual allowable medical, child care, and adoption expenses. Details about the plans will be provided to new employees during their orientation

Application Instructions

Please note that the application includes the names and contact information of three professional references. If you have not included this information in your application profile, please return to your application and complete this requirement.