Teen Community Engagement Intern

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Teen Community Engagement Intern

10 HOURS PER WEEK

Waukesha Public Library champions the power of reading and learning to enrich, empower, and engage all in our community. The Waukesha Public Library, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is pleased to offer a limited term, part-time, mentored Teen Engagement Internship this summer. The internship is open to area youth who are 16-19 years old and have not started college. This position is an opportunity to gain insight into the field of librarianship and library work, as well as explore how to use your individual talents and perspectives to make an impact. The intern will work closely with a librarian mentor team to develop a connected learning project that advances the Library's mission and benefits the Waukesha community. The Library is looking for a candidate who works well with all kinds of people and understands the transformative value that a library brings to its community. The Library's Service Values guide our work and our commitment to serve everyone.

Previous recipients of this grant in other communities have created an intergenerational LGBTQ+ roundtable, produced a music video to promote the library, generated a library resource booklet for at-risk youth, digitized local history materials, implemented a Latinx teen book club, and led salsa dance lessons for elementary-aged summer reading participants.

The intern will work for 60-120 hours, which can begin as early as Monday, June 2, 2025, and must conclude by Friday, August 29, 2025. The intern will be expected to work an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, with the possibility of evening and weekend hours, and to collaborate with their mentor team to establish their schedule.

Essential Duties

1. Work closely with library team members to learn about various positions in the library and how they work together and support each other.
2. Craft a meaningful connected learning project based on their interests under the guidance of their mentor team, which will be completed through the course of the internship.
3. Work collaboratively with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds.
4. Provide customer service to patrons in person and over the phone.
5. Assist staff at outreach events and library programs.
6. Write about the internship and connected learning project experience.
7. Participate in surveys conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
8. Meet with at least one member of their mentor team weekly.
9. Establish and maintain good employee work habits, including regular punctual and predictable attendance, casual business attire, professional communication style, etc.
10. Understand that this list is not exhaustive, and other duties may be assigned as needed

Education/License/Certification Requirements

1. Area youth who are 16-19 years old and have not started college.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including oral, written, and listening skills.
2. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
3. Ability to ask for and accept help or guidance when needed.
4. Ability to work approximately 10-15 hours per week, between 60 and 120 hours total
5. Basic digital literacy and technology skills, including working knowledge of computers, Internet, Windows operating systems, and Microsoft Office.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise patience and attentiveness, and show empathy toward others.
7. Ability to maintain and foster cooperative and courteous working relationships.
8. Willingness to try new skills, to accept new challenges and to adapt to change.
9. Transportation to and from the library, as well as other locations in Waukesha, preferred
10. Experience with a second language is beneficial but not required.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

1. Typical public library duties include using computers, sitting, standing, walking, climbing (especially stairs), stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching (up, across, and down).
2. Employees are generally expected to sit and stand for long periods of time.
3. Employees are generally asked to lift and/or move heavy items and push and pull wheeled carts.
4. The library is a public space. As such, applicants for this position should be comfortable working in person with a diverse range of individuals.
5. The Library and outreach events can occasionally be loud and full of people.
6. Travel to library and non-library locations within the City may be required for outreach and programming opportunities as well as other job duties.
7. Library programming and outreach events may take place indoors or outdoors at local sites other than the library.

Equipment Used

1. Standard office equipment, including, but not limited to computers, printers, photocopiers, multi-line telephone, etc.
2. Presentation projectors, microphones, etc.
3. Book carts, step stools, and other common library and accessibility equipment as needed.

Please attach your resume and a

letter of interest to the online application.