Position: Library Media Specialist
School Year 2013-14 
Salary: $51,539-$83,199


Our students need your expertise, passion and leadership.

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at the 
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are 
passionate about transforming and improving educational outcomes for our 
students.

In DCPS, 4,000 teachers serve the needs of 46,000 students across 110 
schools.  As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the best urban 
school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best 
paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation whose 
work drives significant achievement gains for DCPS students. 

The Library Media Specialist position is located in all public schools within the 
DCPS system. Situated at the center of national government, the goal of DPCS 
is to provide students with a quality education that prepares them to become 
future leaders, productive citizens, and individuals who are engaged in the life 
of the community. This position reports directly to the principal of the school to 
which the incumbent is assigned.

Responsibilities
•	Assesses learning and information needs of students and staff
•	Plans and works collaboratively with teachers to use appropriate 
resources that address curricular needs and learning goals
•	Instructs students and staff in the effective use of the media center, its 
resources, and the current technologies necessary to access the resources 
and information
•	Incorporates information literacy into day-to-day instruction
•	Advocates and promotes reading and life-long learning through 
motivational activities
•	Adheres to and communicates copyright as well as other laws and 
guidelines pertaining to the distribution and ethical use of all resources
•	Advocates the principles of intellectual freedom
•	Works cooperatively with other libraries and agencies to share resources 
that enhance teaching and learning
•	Works with the principal and school leadership team to provide flexible 
access to school library media center resources to accommodate individuals 
and groups simultaneously
•	Organizes school library media facilities and resources in a manner that 
supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the school and maximizes 
intellectual and physical access to resources
•	Encourages the widest possible use of print and electronic resources and 
services-within the school library media center, throughout the school, and 
through remote access
•	Develops and implements an ongoing collection development and 
evaluation planning process, that focuses on a variety of formats and 
resources to meet diverse learning needs
•	Prepares budget requests, administers library budgets, and maintains 
appropriate records
•	Evaluates and selects resources that build a collection addressing 
curricular needs and learning goals in collaboration with teachers, technology 
staff, and students
•	Evaluates the school library media program on a continual basis according 
to accepted standards of quality
•	Interacts effectively with students, staff, administration, parents, and 
the community to promote and expand the school library media program
•	Prepares and submits accurate reports as required
•	Adheres to established laws, policies, rules, and regulations
 
Qualifications
•	Must meet certification requirements for school library media specialist in 
Washington, DC
•	Approved program requirements must be met to qualify for K-12 School 
Library Media Specialist certification in Washington, DC

Personal Qualities of Top Candidates 
•	Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap 
and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, 
receives an excellent education. 
•	Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite 
obstacles and challenging situations. 
•	Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the mastery of 
instruction based on student performance, and is driven by a desire to produce 
quantifiable student achievement gains. 
•	Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility 
and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes 
initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions. 
•	Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts 
flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic 
transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations. 
•	Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through 
collaboration, constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in 
all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others. 

How to apply: 
To apply, visit our website at www.joindcpublicschools.com, and complete our 
online application. 

Questions
If you have any questions, please email us at [log in to unmask], or call us 
at (202) 299-2145.

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Criminal Background Check
In accordance with the Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of 
Children Act of 2004, this position has been designated and identified as one 
which requires a criminal background check and/or traffic record check.  If you 
are tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check will be 
conducted. A final offer of employment is contingent upon the receipt of a 
satisfactory criminal background check.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 
Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 and the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, District of 
Columbia Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia 
Public Schools (DCPS) does not discriminate (including employment therein and 
admission thereto) on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, 
national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual 
orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, 
matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of 
income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or 
business.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited 
by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected 
categories is prohibited.  Discrimination in violation of the aforementioned laws 
will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Inquiries 
regarding the non-discrimination policies of DCPS will be handled as follows:

Employees with inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies related to 
employment and employees should contact: 
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Office of Labor Management & Employee Relations
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC  20002
(202) 442-5424