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.
Work at the Denver Public Library to provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to customers experiencing homelessness, mental health/substance misuse challenges, and under-resourced adults. This position will support 8 - 13 branches system-wide and will strategically work with adult populations experiencing marginalization. This position will also assist other branches to support other team members and locations as needed. The primary focus of this department is supporting adult customers with mental health, substance use, homelessness, and exclusion issues, assessing needs, and helping patrons get connected to external resources in the community. Coordinators work out of the Central Library one day a week. Our team members serve as an intermediary resource and model for library staff to work effectively with customers. You will collaborate with community members and agencies to address systemic issues and needs faced by these at-risk library customers who spend time in and around the Denver Public Libraries. This position may sometimes include evening and weekend hours.
Our ideal candidate has:
Knowledge of systemic oppression
A strong emphasis on equity and inclusion, with either professional or lived experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color and under-resourced communities
Expertise in resources and social services available in the Denver Metro area.
Skill in identifying the needs of people experiencing homelessness, substance misuse/mental health challenges, or under-resourced adults.
Skill in providing strong, dedicated, and compassionate guidance to customers facing difficult life challenges, systemic barriers, stigmas, or challenges accessing resources.
Ability to thrive in a working environment with constant public contact and staff from all backgrounds, varied levels of understanding of systemic oppression, conscious or unconscious bias, and how these factors disproportionately impact disadvantaged customers.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
Ability to exercise reasonable and professional judgment.
Ability to work well with a team and desire to build relationships across the department.
Experience and understanding of working with a diverse urban population.
Excellent and well-honed time management skills.
A sincere desire to improve our community.
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, or Related Field
Valid Driver’s License
Preferred:
Social work experience, including crisis intervention and M1 application, documentation, evaluation, measurement, and accountability practices.
Bilingualism or Multilingualism - Bilingual Spanish/English speakers preferred (Not Required)
Other things to know:
This position may sometimes include evening and weekend hours.
You will be located at Central Library one day a week, which does not provide free parking.
Mileage will be reimbursed for travel to library branches that exceeds your daily commute.
Please submit an application before the 7/21/2023 deadline in order to be considered.
Starting Pay
$59,075 - $68,675
Agency
Denver Public Library
Assessment Requirement
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.