ideaLAB Library Program Associate - Denver Public Library

Denver Public Library

Hampden Branch

Application Deadline

Apply By Dec 17th, 2021

Wages

$21.28 to $31.92 per Hour   Calculate

Location

Denver, CO

Hours

40.00

MLS

Not Required

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree

Library Experience

Not Required

Supervisory Experience

Not Required

Type of Library

Public

This job is more than 3 weeks old or the application deadline has passed.

Job Description

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the City & County of Denver. DPL sees more than 4 million visitors every year across its 27 locations, serves Denver’s most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts thousands of programs a year and manages a collection of more than 1.4 million physical and digital materials. We believe a strong library is vital for a strong community. DPL is committed to serving the evolving needs of Denverites through inspired programming, diverse collections, culturally-representative spaces and equitable policies & procedures.

The Hampden Branch is part of a diverse community located in Southeast Denver. We’re a busy, medium-sized branch with a focus on providing a customer experience that reflects DPL’s Values of Welcoming, Curiosity, Connection, Equity and Stewardship. The Hampden Branch is tucked away in the Hampden Heights neighborhood, and we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where we serve customers of all ages and backgrounds, including youth, adults and older adults, immigrants, and refugees. In the ideaLAB, all ages are welcome, but experience working closely with youth is essential. In 2021, more than half of the Hampden ideaLAB’s visitors were children 12 and under. 

DPL is hiring an ideaLAB Library Program Associate (LPA) to create lifelong library customers by implementing services designed for customers of all ages and backgrounds seeking technology and maker instruction and use. In this position, you will oversee operations at the ideaLAB makerspace at the Hampden Branch, and develop and implement maker programming based on the needs and interests of the Denver community. You will welcome our customers to the makerspace, acting as a main point of contact for staff and customers seeking assistance with ideaLAB tools and equipment. You will foster curiosity by providing one-on-one and group training to customers and staff on the use of various types of technology, ranging from using a mouse to basic coding and 3D modeling, as well as handcrafts like sewing. You will strengthen connections by communicating effectively with customers, staff, and administration. 

About half of your time will be spent assisting customers during ideaLAB Open Lab hours, a drop in time for people to work on whatever they like in our low-barrier makerspace. The library is open to everyone, and we work with people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels in our makerspaces. Our ideaLABs are designed to be approachable and open-ended, accessible to everyone, and the LPA is a facilitator and peer, learning alongside our customers. The rest of your time will be dedicated to developing and implementing maker workshops/programs, and various operational and administrative duties.

We are looking for makers who love working with people and teaching. We need lifelong learners who have a passion for promoting equity and social justice.

Our ideal candidate has: 

  • Knowledge of training and programming practices.
  • Skill in training a wide variety of learners. 
  • Skill in designing, preparing and implementing instruction and training materials. 
  • Skill in communicating, collaborating and establishing effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, organizations and the public. 
  • Skill in working with children, teens, and families.
  • Ability to use fabrication tools (laser cutter, 3D printer), audio recording, and/or making and the arts generally is a definite plus.
  • Ability to thrive working in an environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups. 
  • Ability to creatively solve problems, and negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner. 
  • Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility. 
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service. 
  • Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with diverse customers, coworkers, and community.
  • Ability to embrace the challenge of constantly learning new tools, software and technology. 
  • Ability to teach basic coding, website development and/or digital media software is a definite plus. 
  • Ability to pass a background check after the offer to hire has been made. 

We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements will be considered:

  • A Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Two years of customer service experience.
  • One year of experience teaching or presenting information to a variety of audiences.
  • Spanish language fluency (preferred, not required). Fluency in Arabic or Somali will also be considered.

Other things to know:

  • City Employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All persons offered a position will be required to provide valid proof of vaccination prior to starting employment.
  • The schedule will be determined by the needs of the department and will include evening and weekend hours.

Benefits & Additional Compensation Info

The full City and County of Denver benefits package will be offered. And though the full salary range is provided, we anticipate offers will fall between $21.28 and $23.94 per hour.

Additional Info & Requirements

We anticipate this posting will close on Friday, December 17. Please submit an application at your earliest convenience in order to be considered.

Posted Nov 26, 2021