Instructor & Research Specialist (part-time)

You belong to a team of extraordinary people who are the soul of the Savage Branch. You welcome customers and create a sense of belonging and fun with the classes and events you plan. You are the familiar face who is there to answer their queries and encourage their life-long learning goals. You earn customers' trust by creating memorable customer experiences.

You embrace and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for your coworkers and customers. Whether working directly with customers or behind the scenes, our remarkable team is committed to education that aids in creating a more equitable and just society for all people.

We are seeking a highly motivated Instructor and Research Specialist to join our team! Candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply! We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package, including 15 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team?

Who You Are:

• You engage well with others and love getting to know those around you
• You are passionate about delivering an extraordinary customer experience
• You are comfortable presenting to a crowd and are a teacher at heart
• You are a problem solver, lifelong learner
• You are a team player
• You are energetic and inspire fun
• You are empathetic and take time to understand the needs of your customers
• You are a great communicator and a patient listener, and anticipate the needs of those around you

Essential Duties:

• You develop a community-driven course curriculum for adult education classes
• You plan, teach, and facilitate participatory events, seminars, workshops, for the public
• You earn customer trust by providing thorough and efficient research assistance to the public
• You take pride in our collection, making sure displays are attractive, plentiful, and current. You participate in collection maintenance and shelf-reading assignments
• You have the technology know-how to assist customers with basic computer skills, searching the internet, downloading e-books, using e-resources and can assist at the copy/fax center
• When you make reading, viewing or listening recommendations, your expertise and passion for connecting with our customers shines
• You create loyal customers with your exemplary customer service skills, expert reference know-how, and talent for connecting customers with the information they seek
• You work at any HCLS Customer Service or Research Desk, stepping in to help where needed
• You host entertaining HCLS Branch tours of our amazing space, dazzling participants with your extensive knowledge of our services, events, and products
• You reach out to the community with meaningful events that meet customers where they are, and raise awareness of HCLS services such as our extensive e-resources, and loanable chromebooks, and hotspots
• You embrace teaching classes in STEM education realm
• You visit schools to teach A+ Partners in Education classes, including book promotions, and provide instruction resources for high school and college students and staff, including duties related to events that fall outside HCLS operating hours
• You value professional training and development
• You may perform duties related to passport acceptance
• You jump in where needed to perform other duties and special projects, as assigned
• You can be depended upon to maintain regular and predictable attendance
• You take pride in adhering to all policies and procedures

We are guided by these shared values:

Mission & Vision

• We are your place to learn, connect, and grow.
• We contribute to achieving HCLS' racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative
• We advance HCLS’ educational mission, effectively communicating our curriculum, which comprises Three Pillars (Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, Instructive & Enlightening Experiences)

Do you have what it takes:

• Four-year college degree
• People skills – ability to work effectively with staff and customers of various races and ethnicities and enjoy it
• Exemplifies extraordinary customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to be positive, adaptable, and forward-thinking
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and exercise diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships
• Demonstrated passion for working with the public
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Teaching or presentation talents and experience
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve problems, to develop new processes and procedures in response to changing customer expectations and system-wide goals
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Knowledge of the community and current events
• You are tech-savvy – and have the ability to use and teach an array of current technology
• Current valid driver’s license

Your job at the library will be active:

• You need to stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, reach, and push/pull carts
• In addition, activity is required, such as carrying bags or boxes of books or arranging rooms for classes and events.

Additional Information

• Position currently located at the Savage Branch
• Works under the supervision of the Assistant Branch Manager
• Part-time: 20 hours per week, Monday – Saturday, including two nights per week, alternating Fridays and Saturdays, and a maximum of three Sundays per month; evenings and weekends required for HCLS signature events
• May be required to participate in LATI (Library Associate Training Institute)
• Grade 8; Salary range $23.15 - $40.59/hour
• Position closes Friday, January 23, 2026, at 4 PM

EEO STATEMENT

Howard County’s diversity is its greatest asset. Howard County Library System embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. All communities, including communities of color and immigrant communities, are fundamental to our spirit of service, workforce and long-term success. Equity and empowerment are top priorities. We believe all Howard County residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. Among our goals is for our workforce to reflect the community it serves. We are actively working to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Howard County Library System takes pride in providing equal employment opportunities.