Job Description
About Our Job
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.
For more information, go to denverlibrary.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
DPL’s Youth Services team supports and incorporates the library’s mission, vision, and values in action throughout all programs and services for young people. We are guided by the outcomes and goals laid out in our Youth Services 3-Year Outlook. In collaboration with location staff, we strive to offer a welcoming space for youth and families to receive developmentally appropriate support to create, collaborate, learn, access library materials, and attend workshops and programs.
DPL is seeking a creative, team-oriented and motivated Family Engagement Administrator to join our Youth Services team in support of services for families across Denver communities. In this position, you will prioritize respectful partnerships with families and support library colleagues as they provide information, guidance, and opportunities for families to be active in their children’s learning and development. This will be done in collaboration with the Youth Services team, corresponding departments (especially Older Adult Services and Cultural Inclusivity Services), and library location staff.You will identify best practices and support staff system wide as they work toward equitable, inclusive, and family-informed services.
More specifically, you will:
· Participate in shaping the strategic direction of the Youth Services department.
· Prioritize equitable family access to library resources and services.
· Develop family engagement opportunities with families including babies, toddlers, school-age, and teen youth.
· In partnership with branches and departments, support and enhance year-round offerings for families, including family excursions.
· Oversee the library’s Summer of Adventure program.
· Manage grant programs and partnerships aimed at supporting families, including snack and food box distribution through Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids.
· Build relationships with staff at all DPL locations and departments.
· Cultivate relationships with city and community partners.
· Identify training opportunities for family-serving staff.
Our ideal candidate has a strong interest in working in a public library, experience supporting colleagues who work with youth and families, and a desire to connect families to learning experiences that support their interests.
You also have:
· Knowledge of best practices and strategies for family engagement as outlined in the PLA Ideabook developed in 2017
· Knowledge of the stages of youth development
· 3 or more years of experience delivering programs and services to families
· Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility
· Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups
· Ability to thrive in an environment with constant collaboration with colleagues and community partners.
· Communicate with community members to understand their needs and concerns.
The Family Engagement Administrator’s work will vary day-to-day. Typical tasks include visiting DPL locations, system-level program development, managing a budget, identifying and developing learning supports, and meeting with both internal and external partners. Please note that this position works mostly with DPL staff to enhance programs and services to youth and families, rather than with youth and families directly.
While the Central Library is undergoing renovations, this position will be hybrid, including time at the Central Library, branch libraries, and working from home. The successful candidate should be prepared to pay for parking on days spent at the Central Library, typically ranging from $9-$16 per day.
Please include a cover letter linking your previous experience to the job duties outlined above.