Description

Summary

This is one of thirteen Temporary Summer Assistants for which we are currently hiring. Should you choose to apply, you will have the opportunity to indicate which (or all) of the other positions interest you.

The temporary summer assistant role is a 10-week, 20-hours per week temporary position. Under immediate supervision of the Community Resources Specialist, 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. The compensation for this position is 16.44 per hour. This position will be from May 20 – July 26 with the following weekly schedule:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am-1pm
• Wednesday: 1pm-5pm

Orientation will take place from 10 am – 2 pm on the first three days of employment at the Central Library (14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105). 

Job Duties (Essential Functions)

• Assist Community Resources members in meeting the needs of Central Library patrons struggling with life challenges.
• Answer telephone calls and follow up on daily voicemails from patrons.
• Enter data into the stats tracker in Microsoft Excel and maintain accurate records. 
• Support the Community Resources team in updating resources and executing programming events.
• Identifies gaps and barriers in the local ecosystem and works in partnership to respond to those service gaps.
• Plan, implement, evaluate, and collaborate on safety net information and programming.
• Attend community meetings, tabling events, fairs and other events relating to social services.
• Develop and maintain technology skills required to provide service.
• Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Community Resources Specialist.
• Perform other duties specific to community resources, including, but not limited to, assisting with outreach visits, special events, or programs. 
• Assist with the Library’s annual patron demographic survey by staffing a table at a branch and engaging patrons on May 29th.

Requirements

• Ability to respectfully engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health problems using a trauma informed approach.
• Ability to engage in a culturally responsive way when interacting with vulnerable populations, with awareness and respect to 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.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn the principles and practices of professional social work in a library environment. 
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn 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 
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to speak and understand English is required. Additional consideration may be given to individuals that are fluent in any non-English languages spoken in the Kansas City area including Somali, Swahili, Spanish, Arabic, French, Dari, Pashto, and Vietnamese. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Community outreach and engagement skills
• Established relationships with social work community
• Established proficiency in community referrals
• Strong understanding of social determinants of health and trauma-informed care

How to Apply

Please apply for this position through our web application system at https://kclibrary.org/jobs. Kansas City Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.