Community Resource Specialist

KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY•Kansas City, MO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Under immediate supervision of the Community Resources Manager, this position is responsible for identifying and interpreting user needs and providing specialized assistance to vulnerable populations or individuals struggling with poverty, homelessness, and/or life challenges, as well as providing outreach to the local safety net ecosystem and resource sharing to the public and staff. This is a full-time exempt position with a starting salary of $50,382 plus excellent benefits. Schedule Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm. Note: Occasional evenings & weekends. Location Central Library: 14 West 10th Street, KCMO, 64105.

Requirements

Ability to respectfully engage with patrons, especially vulnerable populations including individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health problems, using a trauma informed approach as well as with awareness of implicit bias.
Ability to exhibit patience, cultural sensitivity, and establish boundaries and mutual respect with patrons.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and positive working relationships with library staff, professionals in other organizations, community groups and community members.
Ability to plan, analyze, carry out projects, consult and offer advice; requires effective communication skills.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of professional social work in a library environment.
Knowledge of social service resources in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, and knowledge of issues and developments in social services and safety net programs and services.
Adaptable and flexible, enjoys work that requires frequent shifts in focus; moderate to high stress tolerance, has self-care plan in place; people-oriented, cooperative, collaborative and supportive; thinks well on feet, innovative and willing to leave comfort zone.
Intermediate computer skills.
Master’s in Social Work or related field.
3 - 5 years' experience working in social services.
The above two requirements can be substituted with a Bachelor's degree in related fields AND 6 - 10 years of experience working with vulnerable populations.
A passion for working with diverse communities; strong interpersonal skills; person-centered approach, ability to adapt in a flexible environment which changes quickly and provides many opportunities for creative input and new ideas. Experience may substitute for education.
Ability to speak and understand English is required, additional consideration will be given to individuals that are proficient in any non-English languages used in Jackson County, MO including Spanish, American Sign Language, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, and Swahili.

Nice To Haves

Established relationships with social work community.
Established proficiency in community referrals.
Strong understanding of social determinants of health and trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

Functions as a Library expert in supporting patrons in crisis and experiencing life challenges, serving as a resource for Library staff to maintain a welcoming environment for all patrons by addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
At the social work micro level, empathetically engage with patrons, assess where they are at, makes referrals to appropriate agencies, assist patrons with applications and offer necessary resources to patrons who are unhoused or in crisis.
Identifies gaps and barriers in the local ecosystem and works in partnership to respond to those service gaps. This includes collaborating to provide culturally responsive technology training to patrons experiencing life challenges.
Plans, implements, evaluates, and collaborates on safety net information and programming.
Attends community meetings, tabling events, fairs and other events relating to social services.
Seeks out, forms, and maintains relationships with the social service community.
Models solution-focused customer service in line with Customer Service Expectations.
Partners with interns and branch managers in offering direct referral services for patrons at Library locations.
Teaches staff and patrons about resources and services related to supporting patrons in crisis.
Consults with and provides recommendations to the Collection Development Department, especially for vulnerable populations.
Develops and maintains technology skills required to provide service.
Other duties and special responsibilities as assigned.