ABOUT THE LIBRARY: At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives, and democracy thrives. Since 1889, the Cambridge Public Library has been a place of learning and community where all are welcome to expand their horizons. Through the Main Library and six neighborhood branches — Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente — the Library operates as a unified system to offer free library services and programs to residents.

ABOUT THE ROLE: The Cambridge Public Library with its seven locations and mission of service to all is an important pathway for delivery of social services to the public. In partnership with Library and City staff, the Library Social Worker will foster equity and access to behavioral health, substance misuse, housing, employment, education, and other resources by engaging vulnerable populations at the Library and in the community. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Libraries.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

Resource provision and navigation:

• Meet with patrons one on one by Zoom, phone, or in person
• Perform a range of direct assistance to patrons such as referrals to area agencies, assistance completing applications, resource navigation, mental health or substance misuse linkage, and coordinating resources for personal care.
• Based on clinical experience, provide important components of care to the community that may include the following: clinical intake assessment of needs for services, advocacy, consultation, direct social work services, mediation, referrals to resources and collaboration with partners.
• Provide direct and indirect services to vulnerable populations including homeless adults, elder populations, immigrants, youth and families, and victims in dealing with a variety of issues such as those related to mental health, domestic violence, crime and/or trauma.
• Conduct assessments to determine and develop needs and resources in both family and community support and assist with case referrals. Assist with case management and periodic reviews and use appropriate software and databases for required reports and statistical analysis.
• Provide crisis intervention services to individuals or groups as required during a traumatic incident or upon request by Library Administration.
• Convey information and explain actions to patrons with varying expectations, needs, cultures and languages and determine the best means to communicate with patrons
• Participate in outreach efforts such as the City’s Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team.

Training and Education:

• Assist with planning and implementation of Library policy through a lens of clinical experience
• Seek opportunities to promote programs or resources that meet the needs of groups such as at-risk youth, community groups and other partners that work with the Library.
• Develop and maintain relationships with library colleagues, community resources, city and state departments, and community leaders, including the Department of Human Service Programs and Police Department.
• Provide and facilitate trainings for library staff including topics such as conflict resolution, de-escalation, homelessness services, mental illness, substance misuse, and stress management.
• Communicate and consult regularly with library staff including after difficult patron incidents.
• Participate in professional conferences, trainings, and meetings to keep up to date with best practices.
• Collaborate with library staff on projects such as community services guides for social services and special populations.
• Act as a human services resource and use clinical judgment and knowledge to provide information.
• May recruit, train, and supervise Social Work graduate student interns.

General Responsibilities:

• Maintain awareness of community resources including treatment and supportive programming.
• Report monthly data and anecdotes about outcomes of social work efforts in the library.
• Promote library services by presenting programs and updates to community groups.
• Manage special projects.
• Other duties as required for the good of the Library.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience: A Master’s degree in Social Work required. Current and valid licensure in Social Work by the Massachusetts Board of Registration is required. Four years full time experience or equivalent part-time professional experience as a licensed social worker working with high-risk populations such as people experiencing homelessness, at risk youth and victims of trauma. In exceptional instances, specialized education, training and/or experience may be substituted for the years of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of the Library's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Commitment to doing all work through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Exceptional customer service skills and commitment to public service.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse community and with individuals who may be experiencing hardships that impact their behavior.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills; flexibility and adaptability in stressful situations and times of change.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational and project management skills, with the ability to set priorities, attend to many details and meet deadlines.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster teamwork and work collaboratively with peers and diverse groups of people from different departments and organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as being highly self-directed.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written and working knowledge of computer software including but not limited to Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and sensitively across cultural, racial, age, abilities and other range of backgrounds.
• Knowledge of research in the field of social sciences and best practices offering related services at public libraries.
• Ability to develop and sustain partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience developing programs and services in a public library or service delivery organization, including working with community partners such as schools, nonprofits, and other government agencies. Experience in or familiarity with public policy, public health, the City of Cambridge and community relations. Fluency in a language in addition to English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including office equipment such as computers, scanners, AV equipment, and mobile devices; pay close attention to details and concentrate on work; communicate effectively and exchange accurate information with coworkers and members of the public; read and organize written material.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Works in assigned area, including office areas, training rooms, library and city locations including outside venues as necessary. Normal office exposure to noise and interruptions.

SCHEDULE: 37.5 hours per week. Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. A flexible schedule is required, including working evenings or weekends in support of programs and events.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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