Social Work Specialist

Are you someone who can walk into a public space and meet people exactly where they are—whether they’re in crisis, overwhelmed, or just trying to get through the day—and respond with calm, clarity, and respect? This role requires more than empathy; it calls for follow-through, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex needs into meaningful support, referrals, and programs.

You’ll build relationships with community partners, work both independently and alongside staff, and serve as a steady, reliable resource in challenging situations. If you combine emotional intelligence with accountability and can stay grounded while doing high-impact, people-centered work, this may be the right fit for you.

Job Title: Community Resource Specialist  (Social Work Specialist)                                                Pay Grade: L

Department: Administration                                                                                                               FLSA: Exempt

Reports To:  Community Resource Manager (Social Work Manager)                                              Updated: 01/2026

*This is a Bargaining Unit position.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Social Work Manager, the Social Work Specialist is responsible for identifying and interpreting the needs of and providing specialized assistance to vulnerable populations or individuals struggling with poverty, homelessness and/or life challenges. This includes completing needs assessment and evaluation, service referral and resource navigation, collaborating with community-based organizations and behavioral health providers, and supporting staff to effectively work with individuals in need. They are responsible for providing high-quality, trauma-informed referrals, services, and programs to patrons, staff and community members.

The Social Work Specialist is community-minded and exemplifies the characteristics of collaborative, innovative, and person-focused solutions. They have a passion for working with diverse communities and strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to take initiative and work independently.

The following Core Competencies are essential and apply to all DBRL employees:

Customer Service - customer service is of primary importance in the library. Interactions with 
others require trust, respect and focus on the needs of the individual. Quality customer service is 
delivered to co-workers, as well as virtual users and users within the building.
Communication - clear and effective communication is the basis for success in relations with 
co-workers, managers, users and all stakeholders. Communication competency is integral to customer 
service.
Learning and Personal Growth - embracing lifelong learning and continual improvement will 
demonstrate commitment to the job and enrich one’s life and professional path.
Ethics and Values - the library plays a crucial role in society and the community. All employees 
practice the ethics and values carefully formulated by the library to fulfill its commitment to the 
community.

The following competencies apply to this position based on designated responsibilities:

Confidentiality - This position has exposure to employee information and confidential documents, 
and must exercise a broad and substantial degree of initiative, tact and judgment in the 
performance of the job duties.
Interpersonal - Managerial effectiveness is enhanced by clear communication, strong 
relationships, ethical behavior and the flexibility to be a leader, team player and lifelong 
learner.
Accountability - Successful leadership is measured by taking ownership for work, including 
following up on commitments and possessing a strong ability to stay focused on individual, 
department and library results.
Technical proficiency - Proficiency with modern software such as MS Office products, Google 
tools and other function-specific tools facilitates communication, information sharing and document 
retention, which leads to a more efficient workforce.

What you'll do:

• Provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to vulnerable populations. This includes patrons experiencing life challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, unstable housing, poverty, or exclusion issues, etc.
• Advocates for the needs of patrons experiencing life challenges so that library procedures, policies, practices and collection materials provide the best experience possible.
• Cultivate relationships with social service organizations to leverage resources, provide an avenue for sharing information, develop programs and services, and provide direct referrals between agencies.
• Serve as the Library’s expert on a trauma-informed approach, social services and community resources, keeping abreast of relevant research, current trends, and best practices.
• Provide crisis intervention, in collaboration with the Safety and Security Department, using de-escalation and trauma-informed techniques to decrease patron incidents and reduce behaviors that lead to barriers to services across the library system.
• Keep abreast of relevant research for current trends and best practices in service to at-risk populations to advocate for and assess the needs of vulnerable populations in the library.
• Promote and market library services to a diverse array of communities and individuals.
• Conduct library outreach to service providers and vulnerable populations.
• Travel to library branches for site visits.
• Work on additional projects or committees as assigned.

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted or changed at 
any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. 
Scheduling and shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by 
business necessity.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• This is an active position that requires extensive interactions with library patrons that may require walking and standing for extended periods of time, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting up to 15 pounds.
• Work will be required on evenings and weekends.
• All library employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, one year related professional experience, demonstrated knowledge of the local community.

Cover letter, resume, and references required.

Salary : $59,467 - $86,611