Part Time Social Worker
Overview:
The Mercer County Library System is seeking a part-time social worker tasked with providing access and services to help people of all ages solve and cope with challenges in their everyday lives. The ideal candidate will be motivated, work both independently and collaboratively with local organizations and library staff to create and implement plans to address the needs of existing patrons and potential patrons who face barriers to library and other services. The candidate should be an innovative self-starter, eager to develop programs and services aimed at improving the emotional and mental health of the community.
Hours/Schedule:
This is a part-time 25 hour per week position. The days/hours will be negotiated to attain the highest patron benefit and will likely include at least one evening each week and rotational weekend hours per month. The role is a system-wide one and the candidate will be expected to establish public hours at initially the Lawrence Headquarters and Hightstown branches.
Salary Range: $21.62 - $35.09 per hour
Responsibilities:
- Meets individually with library patrons to identify needs and issues, in order to provide resource. referral services, advocacy or address issues in ways that are consistent with the mission of MCLS.
- Works to build relationships with members of vulnerable populations respectfully and without judgement.
- Assists patrons in completing applications and understanding information from social service and health organizations. Provides follow-up as necessary to ensure that patrons have achieved their personal goals.
- Develops partnerships with surrounding social service agencies, community organizations and stakeholders in order to provide services within the library or make referrals to off-site services available to library patrons.
- Participates in community engagement and outreach, and assists in community-based initiatives.
- Provides expert information as part of library planning processes, leads projects that intersect with services to vulnerable or at-risk populations, identifies and advocates for vulnerable populations, and helps guide efforts to evaluate and assess service delivery to at-risk customers.
- Coaches and trains library colleagues on staff in best practices related to working
with vulnerable populations and customers.
- Recommends strategies regarding policy creation and interpretation related to customer or community engagement in order to foster diversity and inclusion in the library environment.
- Tracks trends among library-based social workers and other relevant service providers, exchanges knowledge with peer libraries and agencies, and implements promising new practices.
- Creates and implements programs, such as training and information presentations, designed to improve the overall well-being of the community, communicating with the Library’s programming and outreach staff as needed.
- Leads or participates in funding initiatives related to public library-based social work.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Participates in MCLS outreach, social media opportunities and the Library’s blog.
Requirements:
- Social Worker licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey.
- At least 1-2 years of direct service experience in social work, public health, mental health, behavioral health, health information/education or related field work.
- Demonstrated experience developing relationships with community partners.
- Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
- Excellent verbal, written, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills; provides friendly, high quality service.
- Demonstrated ability in focusing on details while prioritizing and handling multiple projects.
- Possess well-organized systems for handling workload.
- Devotion to customer service.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
- Nonprofit or public sector experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Bilingual Spanish preferred; conversational or better Spanish desired.
- Computer proficiency, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Maintain accurate records and respect confidentiality.
- Work a flexible schedule with potential evening and weekend hours.
- Provides friendly, high quality service to all patrons and staff.
- Travel independently to attend meetings/events outside of the library or to branches.
- Analyze data to gain an understanding of the local communities.
- Follows research and trends in the field.
- Works independently, but also collaborates with library administration and branch managers to determine the best and most appropriate process to meet patron needs.
To Apply:
Candidate subject to all New Jersey Civil Service requirements. Mercer County residency required within one (1) year of employment. Send application, cover letter and resume to Mercer County Library System via email at: director [at] mcl.org (director[at]mcl[dot]org).
Salary Range: $21.62 - $35.09 per hour