Employment Opportunities

At the Highwood Public Library, our staff paves the way for engaging programming, innovative services, and transformative collections. We are a small but mighty library serving a diverse and dynamic community!

We welcome candidates who are committed to excellent customer service, creative collaboration, and dynamic problem-solving.

Keep reading to learn more!

About our Library

 

Title: Marketing Manager

Founded in 1977, Highwood Library & Community Center (HLCC) is an innovative anchor that enriches, empowers, educates, and embraces the community it serves. HLCC offers free bilingual programs and services, including storytimes, homework help, teen STE(A)M, adult literacy, digital navigation, and counseling and case management. The vision of the Highwood Library & Community Center is to uplift, inform, and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming, and engagement strategies.  

Job Summary: The Marketing Manager leads HLCC’s promotion and public communications in English and Spanish. This position carries out promotional strategies; creates content from flyers to email campaigns and reports; manages social media; and supports a range of administrative tasks related to communications, marketing, and engagement. Working closely with program staff and the Director of Development & Communications, the Marketing Manager helps every family in Highwood know what HLCC offers and how to participate.

Position Status: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt

Hours:  Flexible, including some evenings and weekends

Benefits: Paid vacation, personal days, paid library holidays, and paid sick time as outlined in the Personnel Manual. 401(k) contribution, health insurance contribution, and life insurance.

 

This position reports to the Director of Development & Communications

Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Develop and carry out an annual marketing plan and communication strategy aligned with HLCC’s strategic plan.
  • Develop, execute, maintain, and enforce brand guideline kits for HLCC and the Friends of the Library, including program branding and approved bilingual terminology.
  • Coordinate the design and purchase of branded items for programs and events.
  • Manage the HLCC website, Friends website, and online events calendar.
  • Create and post regular bilingual content on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and WhatsApp
  • Produce the monthly bilingual e-newsletter in Mailchimp.
  • Create print and digital materials (including flyers, posters, signage and presentations) that promote programs, services, and resources to the public.
  • Promote the organization through partner & local government publications and local media.
  • Ensure all public materials are available in English and Spanish, written at an accessible reading level.
  • Manage the translation and review process for consistent, culturally responsive Spanish content.
  • Receive, prioritize, and fulfill marketing requests from staff using a shared request process.
  • Supervise and guide marketing team members or volunteers as assigned.
  • Provide design and production support for donor and development materials.
  • Track and report monthly results (social media engagement, newsletter open and click rates, website traffic, program turnout) and use them to improve campaigns.
  • Maintain current marketing data and photos for grant reports and the annual report.
  • Ensure materials meet ADA and WCAG accessibility standards and Illinois library standards and best practices.
  • Actively participate in Highwood Library’s monthly Technology Committee meetings.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, English, creative writing or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • At least two years of marketing experience with a record of successful campaigns.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish required, with the ability to create, edit, and review public materials in both languages. Finalists will be asked to provide examples of their work.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, with compelling storytelling ability.
  • Ability to understand programs and funding requirements of the organization.
  • Experience managing social media accounts and email marketing platforms (Mailchimp preferred).
  • Skill with design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and website content management systems.
  • Strong organization and time management skills, with the ability to manage several requests at once.
  • A proven ability to be proactive, persistent and resourceful.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to handle confidential matters with utmost integrity.

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience in a library, nonprofit, or community-based organization.
  • Photography or short-form video skills.
  • Knowledge of the Highwood community and Lake County partner organizations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Regularly sit and use a computer for extended periods.
  • Stand, walk, and move throughout the building and at community events.
  • Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (event materials, signage, supplies).
  • Communicate clearly in person, by phone, and in writing.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • Busy library and community center setting with frequent interruptions and moderate noise.
  • Some evening and weekend work for programs and events, including occasional offsite community events.

Hourly Range: $27 -$30/hour

This position is grant funded and will depend on the continued availability of sufficient funding.

To apply, please send a brief cover letter and your resume to dguerrero@highwoodlibrary.org.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Title: Community Market Coordinator

Founded in 1977, Highwood Library & Community Center (HLCC) is an innovative anchor that enriches, empowers, educates, and embraces the community it serves. HLCC offers free bilingual programs and services, including children’s programming, homework help, teen STEM programs, adult literacy, digital navigation, counseling and case management. The vision of the Highwood Library & Community Center is to uplift, inform, and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming, and engagement strategies.  The Friends of Highwood Library & Community Center supports quality library services through advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering to expand literacy-focused library services and resources at the Highwood Library & Community Center.

Job Summary:  The Community Market Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the food distribution and ensuring that community members have consistent, dignified, and welcoming access to food and other essential resources. This position coordinates food distribution, manages inventory and supplies, supports and coordinates volunteers and staff, maintains program records, and helps ensure that food distribution services are organized and responsive to community needs.

Position Status: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt

Hours:  40 hours/week. Schedule is flexible, including evenings and some Saturdays.

Benefits: Paid vacation, personal days, paid library holidays, and paid sick time as outlined in the Personnel Manual. 401(k) contribution, health insurance contribution, and life insurance.

Bilingual (English & Spanish) required

This position reports to the Community Response Manager

Responsibilities include:

  • Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the food distribution program.
  • Prepare for and oversee scheduled food distribution days.
  • Ensure food is organized, stocked, and safely stored according to applicable food safety guidelines.
  • Coordinate weekly food replenishment trips.
  • Monitor inventory and communicate when food or essential supplies need to be replenished.
  • Coordinate volunteers receiving, organizing, sorting, and distributing food donations on and off-site.
  • Ensure market eligibility and distribution procedures are followed consistently.
  • Help create an organized, welcoming, and respectful environment for all clients.
  • Track food distributed using Link2Feed program.
  • Track donations received, and other program-related information.
  • Maintain participant and program records while protecting confidentiality.
  • Maintain positive relationships with food banks, local organizations, schools, businesses, community groups, and other partners.
  • Engage in food rescue efforts by coordinating the collection of surplus food from local grocery stores for community distribution.

Personal qualities and qualifications include:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Experience working at emergency food provider or food distribution site.
  • Knowledge of local community resources and social service systems.
  • Experience working with volunteers.
  • Outstanding customer service, volunteer coordination and stewardship.
  • Previous experience working in a social service, food distribution, or non-profit, with experience in a community-based or customer-service environment preferred.
  • Experience coordinating volunteers and/or staff.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English and Spanish.
  • Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
  • Ability to lift, carry, and move food boxes and supplies as required.
  • Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
  • Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
  • Basic computer and data-entry skills.
  • Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Ability to remain flexible and calm in a busy, community-facing environment.
  • Commitment to providing services in a welcoming, inclusive, and dignified manner.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the food distribution area for extended periods.
  • Ability to regularly lift and carry food boxes, bags, and supplies weighing approximately 30–50 pounds.
  • Ability to safely move and organize food and supplies.

Work Environment

This position works in a community-facing environment and may involve busy distribution days, changing schedules, volunteer coordination, and frequent interaction with community members. The Community Market Coordinator should be comfortable adapting to changing needs while maintaining a positive, respectful, and organized approach.

Hourly Range: $22-25/hour

This position is grant funded and will depend on the continued availability of sufficient funding.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Viridiana Gonzalez at vgonzalez@highwoodlibrary.org

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

POSITION TITLE: Circulation Assistant

Join the 2021 IMLS-award winning Highwood Library & Community Center, a small but mighty library serving a diverse community. The Highwood Library & Community Center is an innovative anchor that enriches, empowers, educates, and embraces the community it serves. Our vision is to uplift, inform and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming and engagement strategies. The Highwood Library & Community Center is seeking a part-time candidate for an open position as a Circulation Assistant. This exciting opportunity will work at the circulation/reference desk, helping patrons navigate the collection and available technology, shelving materials, and making our patrons feel welcome at the library. This position will offer a high level of customer service to patrons in the library needing assistance with library resources.
Part time, non-exempt
Hours: 10 hours/week during afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays.
Benefits include up to 40 hours of paid time off per year.
Pay range: $17.00-$18.00 per hour

Responsibilities include:
• Provides prompt, courteous, and direct assistance to all patrons with basic information regarding use of library materials, equipment, and services.
• Perform various circulation functions including reference, readers’ advisory, technology, referral services to patrons, check-ins, check-outs, renewals, holds, accessing on-line resources, etc. Assists patrons with library computers, copier and scanner.
• Primarily works at the Adult Services’ service desk, may work at service desks in Youth and Teen areas when needed.
• Contributes to the general order and care of facilities and Library materials.
• Registers, renews and updates patron accounts.
• Processing of materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Personal qualities, qualifications, and experience include:

• Library work experience strongly preferred.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish required.
• High School Diploma/GED required, Associate’s Degree or higher preferred.
• Flexibility in dealing with patrons and staff.
• Familiarity with public libraries.
• Availability on weekday afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays (a must).
• Ability to work closely with other staff in a positive team environment.
• Ability to welcome all library users with a friendly and courteous approach.
• Dependability, punctuality, honesty, and trustworthiness.
• A willingness to help out in special situations and cooperate as a team member to achieve efficient library operations.
• Ability to work well with adults, teens and children and collaborate with staff members.
• Typical office skills such as conducting Internet searches, working with computer systems, answering phones.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Constant standing and walking. Lifting up to 30 pounds, bending, reaching, stooping, climbing, pushing and pulling in excess of 75 lbs., reaching, handling, and fine manipulation skills. Ability to communicate by telephone. Ability to handle and shelve books. Ability to use a keyboard. Vision: near and far. Speaking and hearing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The library work environment is usually busy and demanding.

This position reports to the Adult Services Manager.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Alex Brotsos at abrotsos@highwoodlibrary.org.