Description

As part of the Suffolk Public Library’s Community Engagement Department, this position integrates social work practices into library services, outreach, and partnerships to advance the library’s mission of equity, access, and intentional partnerships. The Community Resource Liaison works collaboratively with library staff and community partners to address barriers to information, learning, and wellness.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

***This is a GRANT funded position with a duration of 1 year with possible extension approvals up to 3 years total***

Under limited supervision, performs supervisory and administrative work to help provide support services, including information, referrals, and assistance to patrons of all ages.

Serves as the manager of a specific division or area and is responsible for planning, leading, managing, and evaluating community resources. Ensures that all services are in alignment with the library’s strategic goals and are implemented effectively. Responsible for helping identify library patrons who may benefit from referral to community resources such as mental health services, substance abuse services, educational resources, after-school resources, housing services, food and community resources or case management services identified either through patron request, individual patron need assessments or through direct referral by City staff; providing resources and referrals for services and assist patrons with follow-through with obtaining services; monitoring the budget, researching and formulating long range goals, developing policies, and planning and evaluating programs, services, and goals. Reports to the Community Engagement Library Manager.

Job Duties

Essential Job Functions

• Supports library outreach efforts such as pop-up libraries, food and resource pantries, and community events to ensure equitable access to information and basic needs resources.
• Provides consultation and guidance to staff regarding complex patron needs and referrals.
• Promotes collaboration and understanding of library-based social work services across agencies and the public.
• Collaborates with the Community Engagement Manager on data collection, grant reporting, and evaluation of outreach and resource service impact.
• Connects clients and the general public to resource agencies as needs are identified.
• Interprets programs to other agencies and the public.
• Supervises, assigns and reviews daily activities of the divisions’ community resource workers, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures and standards for multiple benefit and employment programs as administered through the City Library Department, instructing and advising, as appropriate, and resolving problems as non-routine situations arise.
• Develops, maintains, and accommodates community agency partnerships.
• Develops resources with and for library staff such as resource sheets and guides, information for our website, and handouts for customers as well as facilitating the upkeep of the Community Resource Guide with program partners and service providers in the area.
• Reviews individual program cases and assists subordinates in difficult or complicated cases; interprets policy and advises subordinates, as necessary; reviews reports of subordinates to ensure timeliness and accuracy.
• Provides information and referral services, directing public education programs, researching information, and marketing related concerns and issues.
• Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties.
• Coordinates programs and services by working with agencies and organizations outside the library to develop programs of mutual interest, working with City departments, and ensuring that services are reaching the community.
• Ensures that subordinates receive orientation and training required for assigned positions, including training as new policies and procedures are adopted and established; provides training in policies and procedures of community resources and partnerships to agency personnel, as necessary.
• Appraises subordinates’ performances; recommends hiring, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, etc.; administers leave time so as to maintain adequate staff to administer programs; arranges assistance by personnel from other divisions, as necessary; conducts staff meetings.
• Facilitates or coordinates training in trauma-informed services to staff to help them provide improved service to all customers and better understand the resources available for customers experiencing complex vulnerabilities.
• Evaluates effectiveness of programs and services offered; recommends changes.
• Develops and maintains collaborative working partnerships between various public, private, and non-profit entities, including facilitating interagency community events and training workshops.
• Prepares reports of division services and accomplishments as required.
• Makes presentations before community and civic groups on topics such as employment training, department programs and services, etc. Represents the division and agency on various committees, work groups, and organizations, attending meetings and participating in activities of such groups as appropriate. Receives and responds to inquiries from staff members and members of the community, providing information regarding Community Resource programs, policies, and procedures.
• Serves as a centralized grants administrator for assigned area including monitoring implementation of grants, maintaining central grant files and researching and distributing information.
• Develops and maintains databases for the preparation and maintenance of operations according to departmental needs and requirements.
• Controls and monitors expenditures of programs; determines need for new programs; determines staffing needs; develops performance standards; develops policies and specifications for new programs including developing local policies and procedures.
• Reviews and recommends software programs to improve the efficiency of the day-to-day operations.
• Examines statistical data to make workflow improvements or schedule changes.
• Acts as a mentor to staff by assisting with their professional development and morale, and providing assistance as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills Required

Minimum of a Master of Social Work with 3 years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience (typically 6-9 years) in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs. Supervisory experience or work experience in a leadership role.

Possession of a Licensed Master’s in Social Worker degree is desirable with 3 to 5 years of experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting clients; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Requires a valid driver’s license.