Library Program Assistant - Older Adult Services

Denver Public Library

Denver, CO, United States

Application Deadline

Apply By Mar 4th, 2022

Wages

$21.70 to $24.42 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

DPL’s Older Adult Services (OAS) Department serves people aged 50+ across all aspects of library service in all 27 locations and beyond. It has pioneered a positive aging approach that is research-based and rooted in the most current understanding of geriatric psychology, neurology, neuroplasticity, and the developmental stages of adulthood.

At DPL, we view age as a gift, and we provide older adults with the information, services, and programs they need to have a fulfilling, meaningful, connected, and healthy older adulthood. At the same time, we recognize the real challenges of aging, especially among older adults who are economically disadvantaged, those who are living with a physical or cognitive disability or medical condition, those who are unhoused, and those who are members of a marginalized community.

Our programming and services areas for older adults include but are not limited to: Health and wellness (including mindfulness practices), creative aging and creative engagement, information and technology, financial wellness (including information about Medicare, Medicaid, and government benefits), caregiving, Alzheimer’s/dementia (including memory cafes), community engagement, job search and skill building, anti-ageism, and quality of life.

We have a culturally aware approach to this programming that incorporates the concept of intersectionality into the work, recognizing that the experience of aging is impacted by other identities, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, and ability. We also work intergenerationally, and we seek to support older adults who are raising children and grandchildren. We provide services and programs in a number of different languages, including English and Spanish.

If you are hired as the OAS LPA, you will:

Work toward creating an anti-ageist library and community

Train library staff and others in the community about best practices in serving older adults

Take a culturally-responsive, intersectional approach to your work 

Build and maintain community relationships through outreach to senior living sites, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and organizations that support older adults

Support people who seek to age in place by providing them with enriching experiences and opportunities for lifelong learning, connection, and community

Bring programs and services into the community where older adults live, work, and play – including into Denver Housing Authority residences

Create and facilitate programs that serve older adults with Alzheimer’s/dementia along with their friends, family members, and caregivers

Create and facilitate creative aging programs

Follow our positive aging approach in creating programs and services for older adults throughout Denver that meet the social, emotional, and developmental needs of people as they age

The ideal candidate for this position has:

Only applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications will be considered: 

A Bachelor's degree in a related field of study (for example, gerontology, social work, physical therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, psychology, education, and so on) OR appropriate related experience in place of the education requirement

At least two years of related experience 

Demonstrated knowledge of the needs of older adults

Reliable transportation

The following qualifications are strongly preferred, but not required:

Please provide a resume and cover letter with your application highlighting your relevant skills. Your cover letter should explain with specificity why you are interested in the position.

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

The primary location for this position will be at the Central Library, which does not have free parking options. We do offer a discounted EcoPass and have easy access to public transportation. However, you will be out in the community quite often.

The schedule will be determined by the needs of the department and will include evening and weekend hours.

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.

Applicants who are themselves older adults (that is, age 50+) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Proficiency in a language other than English

Experience programming for older adults and/or people with Alzheimer’s/dementia

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Ability to work remotely and at any of our 27 locations on various days at various time

Ability to facilitate group conversations

Ability to thrive working in an environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups, including people without English language proficiency

Ability to translate demographic and other information in order to understand the surrounding community

Ability to travel all over Denver and present programs and services in geographically diverse locations

Knowledge and experience in developing and presenting programs for older adults and/or programs for the dementia community

Expertise in one or more of the programming areas described above

Commitment to and knowledge of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion concepts and practices

The Community

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the City & County of Denver. Each year, DPL sees more than 4 million visitors across its 27 locations, serves Denver’s most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts thousands of programs, 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. 

Website
https://denverlibrary.org

Human Resources / Job Listings
https://denver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CCD-denver-denvergov-CSC_Jobs-Civil_service_jobs-Police_Jobs-Fire_Jobs

Posted Feb 18, 2022