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.
The Community Technology Center (CTC) is the technology access and training hub for Denver Public Library and is located at the Central Library. The Community Technology Center consists of two technology classrooms, two one-on-one consultation rooms, a digital media lab and makerspace, and a large public access computing area with 100+ computers. The CTC offers a wide variety of group and individual training opportunities on topics ranging from using a mouse to 3D printing and web development. The Central Library is located in downtown Denver and welcomes a wide variety of customers of all ages and backgrounds, and the CTC strives to create an inclusive environment for people to connect with and learn about technology. In a single shift, CTC staff might help someone create their first email address or record their own song. In addition to offering technology programs at the Central Library, CTC staff also offer tech training at other DPL branches and local community organizations.
Our Job
DPL is hiring a Library Programming Associate for the Central Library. In this position, you will create positive experiences for library customers by providing programming and outreach designed to educate and promote library technology usage to a wide variety of audiences. CTC customers include DPL priority populations: BIPOC, vulnerable youth, people who are digitally isolated, unemployed, unhoused, navigating mental and physical health, immigrants, refugees, and older adults. You’ll provide excellent trauma-informed customer service while demonstrating integrity and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and stewardship. Collaborate with CTC Supervisor and colleagues to ensure high-quality customer service including at busy public service desks, programming, community engagement, and outreach. Plan, design, implement, and evaluate programs and events on a regular basis for families and children of all ages. Develop and implement customer and staff technology training, instruction plans and materials.
Act as a main point of contact for staff and customers seeking assistance with computers and technology, including staffing a busy public service desk and a community makerspace. Provide one-on-one and group training to customers and staff on the use of various types of technology, ranging from using a mouse to 3D printing and web development. Travel around the Denver Metro area and other DPL branches in order to build and maintain community partnerships. Communicate effectively about issues and initiatives with customers, staff, and administration. Participate in relevant library committee work by leading meetings or contributing as a member. Work closely with the CTC Supervisor and provide backup and support for programming planned and hosted by the library when needed. Support other library functions as needed.
Our Ideal Candidate will have:
- A resume and a cover letter that connects your experience to this position.
- Spanish language fluency, especially for presenting and developing written content technology topics (preferred, not required)
- Experience in designing handouts for public use using minimal written language
- Experience in creating technology learning curriculum
- Experience with fabrication tools, electronics, handcraft skills, and/or the arts a plus
- Ability to pass a background check after the offer to hire has been made.
- Ability to teach web development/basic coding/programming is a definite plus.
- Ability to use basic workplace technology including email, internet and automated software.
- Ability to embrace the challenge of learning new tools, software and technology constantly.
- Ability to demonstrate positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with diverse customers, coworkers, and community.
- Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.
- Skill in communicating, collaborating and establishing effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, organizations and the public.
- Ability to creatively solve problems, and negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service. Ability to thrive in a working environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
- Skill in working with children and teens.
- Skill in designing, preparing and implementing instruction and training materials. Will regularly travel to different locations across the Denver Metro Area.
- Skill in teaching and training a wide variety of learners.
Minimum Qualifications
- A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education and experience requirements.
- One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of posthigh school education. A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education and experience requirements.
- Bachelor's Degree in Library Science or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- One year of experience teaching or presenting information in a community setting
- Two years of public customer service experience.
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Experience providing customer service in a library setting.
Other Things You Should Know
There is no free parking available at the Central Library. The City & County of Denver provides free RTD Ecopasses to employees. The Central Library does have convenient access to public transportation as well as indoor, secure bicycle parking.
The schedule will be determined by the needs of the department and will include evening and weekend hours. The current schedule is Sunday - Thursday, 9am - 6pm and is expected to move to a Tuesday - Saturday schedule sometime in Summer. The City and County of Denver benefit package will be offered.