Jobs - Highwood Library

Employment Opportunities

At the Highwood Public Library, our staff paves the way for engaging programming, innovative services, and transformative collections. We are a small but mighty library serving a diverse and dynamic community!

We welcome candidates who are committed to excellent customer service, creative collaboration, and dynamic problem-solving.

The library currently has four positions open. Keep reading to learn more!

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POSITION TITLE: Case Management Contractor

Position Status: Contractual position at 10 hours/week
Hours: Flexible, including some evenings and Saturdays
Compensation: $20-$25/hour
Bilingual (Spanish) required

This contractual position reports to the Lead Case Manager

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Create a low barrier entry for individuals to receive social work services.
Identify and engage with individuals who may benefit from social service support through outreach, direct observation, or referral.
Conduct comprehensive initial interviews and assessments to identify needs.
Provide short-term case management focusing on the social determinants of health.
Provide culturally responsive advocacy with a focus on client empowerment and evidence-based practices in providing treatment.
Provide referrals both internally and externally.
Connect and build collaborative relationships with community organizations.
Maintain current knowledge of resources available in the community to support a continuum of effective services for the clients.
Maintain accurate records and documentation of client interactions.
Co-facilitate Health Equity programs.
Complete Mandated Reporter training within the first 90 days of employment.
Work collaboratively with team members.

Personal qualities and qualifications include:

Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and interruptions.
Self-Starter with strong problem-solving skills
Adhere to a no-wrong door policy when individuals approach the Library for assistance.
Demonstrated ability to respond quickly and appropriately in times of crisis.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with co-workers and other community agencies.
Must have the ability to interpret available data and complete reporting for funding sources.
Must be familiar with local services and supports and able to establish a relationship with community partners.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from a variety of ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds, respecting privacy, dignity and right to self-determination.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Teams.
Strong verbal and written communications skills in both English and Spanish.
Understanding of principles of racial equity and social justice.
Demonstrated time- management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Viridiana Gonzalez at vgonzalez@highwoodlibrary.org

POSITION TITLE: Operations Support Contractor

Position Status: Contractual position at 10 hours/week
Hours: Flexible, in person
Compensation: $18-$20/hour
Bilingual (Spanish) required

This position is a dual reporting role, reporting to the Communications and Development Manager (Marketing, Grant Tracking, Donor Stewardship, Data) and the Executive Director (operations).

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Marketing:

Ensure all marketing material is in line with the library brand.
Provide support with the library’s social media accounts.
Update program information on the library’s flyers and website on a monthly basis.
Translate library materials into Spanish.
Provide content strategy on new ways to engage community members.
Ensure continuity in messaging across various communication platforms.
Check on QR codes and links to ensure they work.
Ensure all program events on the Library website are listed as events on Facebook.

Grant Tracking and Donor Stewardship:

Organize grant award documentation, ensuring continuity in paper and digital records.
Create, send and save acknowledgements letters that highlight the importance of each donor’s support.
Develop new ways to increase contact with donors to let them know the impact of their gift.
Track donations in database and in shared library folders.

Data Tracking:

Assist with the collection of programmatic and outcome data.
Maintain quarterly dashboard to demonstrate the library programs’ impact on the community.

Operational Support:

Provide support with the coding of expenditures, scanning documents to business manager, and filing documents.

Requirements:

Minimum Associate’s degree required (with preference in areas of communications or marketing).
Bachelor’s Degree preferred (Communications or marketing concentration).
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and interruptions.
Self-Starter with strong problem-solving skills
Adhere to a no-wrong door policy when individuals approach the Library for assistance.
Demonstrated ability to respond quickly and appropriately in times of crisis.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with co-workers and other community agencies.
Must have the ability to interpret available data and complete reporting for funding sources.
Must be familiar with local services and supports and able to establish a relationship with community partners.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from a variety of ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds, respecting privacy, dignity and right to self-determination.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Teams. Strong verbal and written communications skills in both English and Spanish.
Understanding of principles of racial equity and social justice.
Excellent boundaries and ethics.
Demonstrated compassion and commitment to social justice and systems of oppression.
Demonstrated time- management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.

This position is grant-funded and depends on the continued availability of grant funds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The library work environment is usually busy and demanding. This position requires intensive interaction with the public. Employee must be able to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings and/or Saturdays.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Diana Guerrero at dguerrero@highwoodlibrary.org.

POSITION TITLE: Youth Services Assistant (Children)

Join the 2021 IMLS-award winning Highwood Library & Community Center, a small but mighty library serving a diverse community. The Highwood Library & Community Center is an innovative anchor that enriches, empowers, educates, and embraces the community it serves. Our vision is to uplift, inform and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming and engagement strategies. The Highwood Library & Community Center is seeking a part-time candidate for an open position as a Circulation Assistant. This exciting opportunity will work at the circulation/reference desk, helping patrons navigate the collection and available technology, shelving materials, and making our patrons feel welcome at the library. This position will offer a high level of customer service to patrons in circulation and assistance with library resources.

Part time, non-exempt position
Hours: 18 hours/week, including some evenings and Saturdays
Range: $17.00 – $18.00/hour
Benefits: Up to 40 hours per year of paid leave (which includes 3 personal days)

This position reports to the Children Services Coordinator.

Responsibilities include:

Provides prompt, courteous, and direct assistance to all patrons with basic information regarding use of library materials, equipment, and services.
Leads library programs and activities.
Collaborates in library wide programs/events.
Performs various circulation functions including reference, readers’ advisory, book displays, technology, referral services to patrons, check-ins, check-outs, renewals, holds, accessing on-line resources, etc. Assists patrons with library computers, copier and scanner.
Contributes to the general order and care of facilities and Library materials.
Registers, renews and updates patron accounts.
Process of materials.
Conducts library tours for any interested groups and/or school groups.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Personal qualities and qualifications include:

Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred.
Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED required.
Previous Customer Service experience preferred.
Flexibility in dealing with patrons and staff.
Familiarity with a variety of types of materials.
Quick thinker, problem solver, organized and detail oriented.
Availability on Saturdays and evenings (a must).
Ability to work closely with other staff in a positive team environment.
Ability to welcome all library users with a friendly and courteous approach.
Dependability, punctuality, honesty, and trustworthiness.
A willingness to help out in special situations and cooperate as a team member to achieve efficient library operations.
Ability to work well with adults, teens and children and collaborate with staff members.

Experience:

Experience working with the public desirable, preferably in a library environment.
Typical office skills such as conducting Internet searches, working with computer systems, answering phones.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Constant standing and walking. Lifting up to 30 pounds, bending, reaching, stooping, climbing, pushing and pulling in excess of 75 lbs., reaching, handling, and fine manipulation skills. Ability to communicate by telephone. Ability to handle and shelve books. Ability to use a keyboard. Vision: near and far. Speaking and hearing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The library work environment is usually busy and demanding. Children’s programs are often noisy and crowded.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Diana Wence at dwence@highwoodlibrary.org.

POSITION TITLE: Youth Services Assistant – Teens

Join the 2021 IMLS-award winning Highwood Library & Community Center, a small but mighty library serving a diverse community. The Highwood Library & Community Center is an innovative anchor that enriches, empowers, educates, and embraces the community it serves. Our vision is to uplift, inform and grow the community through the library’s collections, programming and engagement strategies. This opportunity will help provide welcoming, supportive, relevant and engaging services and cultivate a love of learning and exploration in our teens. This exciting opportunity will work at the YA and Children’s reference desks, helping patrons navigate the collection and available technology, shelving materials, and making our patrons feel welcome at the library. This position will offer a high level of customer service to patrons in circulation, assistance with library resources, and support programming in the YA Makerspace.

Part-time, non-exempt position
Hours: 18 hours/week, including some evenings and Saturdays
Compensation: $17.00-$18.00/hour depending on qualifications
Benefits: Up to 40 hours per year of paid leave (which includes 3 personal days)
Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred

This position reports to the Teen Services Coordinator.

Responsibilities include:

Collaborate with the Teen Services Librarian to develop and provide programs that engage teens in creative and innovative ways.
Support the Teen Services Librarian in presenting both structured and explorative programming.
Provide assistance and advice to teen patrons using the wide variety of technology available in the makerspace.
Support the Teen Services Librarian with executing routine maintenance and upkeep of materials and resources.
Process materials and create inventories.
Perform various circulation functions including reference, readers’ advisory, technology, referral services to patrons, check-ins, check-outs, renewals, holds, accessing on-line resources, etc. Assists patrons with library computers, copier and scanner.
Operate and maintain makerspace equipment.
Supervise and aid teens to promote a collaborative, safe, and fun work environment.
Assist with cultivation and stewardship of relationships with schools, organizations and networks that expand the library’s outreach to the community. Help to bridge gaps in access to resources and opportunities.
Other duties as assigned.

Personal qualities and qualifications include:

Bilingual (Spanish) strongly preferred.
A professional, friendly, helpful, positive attitude.
Quick thinker, problem solver, organized, and detail oriented.
Ability to work well with children, teens and adults and collaborate with staff members.
Dependability, punctuality, honesty, and trustworthiness.
Willingness to explore, learn, and accept change gracefully.
Availability on Saturdays and evenings (a must).
High school diploma/GED required.
Leadership, library, or classroom management experience preferred.
Experience working directly with tweens and/or teens strongly preferred.
Experience with sewing machines or media recording/editing preferred.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Laura Ramirez at director@highwoodlibrary.org.

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