The Denver Public Library (DPL) isn't just a place to borrow books; it's a vibrant, essential hub for our diverse city. As a growing urban library system with 28 locations and over 4 million annual visitors, we're deeply woven into the fabric of Denver.
Join a team where your values align with your work. At the Denver Public Library, we're not just serving our community; we're building a culture guided by values that empower both our staff and the public.
Welcoming: We make our resources, services, and expertise accessible for all, recognize the inherent dignity in each person, and provide safe places where everyone can be themselves.
Curiosity: We foster a culture of exploration, innovation, and forward thinking by creating environments that support learning and growth.
Connection: We are neighbors. We foster relationships, listen and act to build and strengthen our community. We bring people together to share information, ideas, and experiences.
Equity: We work to change inequitable practices, structures and policies, and attitudes that drive them, to provide opportunities for every person in our community to thrive. As we do so, we actively examine our roles in perpetuating oppressive systems.
Stewardship: We are accountable to our community, using our resources responsibly. We lead with honesty and integrity, protect privacy and preserve and share the full history of our Denver community.
If you're passionate about service, community engagement, and creating positive change, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us. Come join a team that believes in the power of knowledge, connection, and equity.
The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:
Four (4) Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance
Pension Plan for Life (employee contributes 8.45%, employer matches at 17.95%) and 457 (b) Retirement Plan
PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year), 4 paid wellness days, and 12 paid holidays
CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
Enhanced Work/Life Balance: Employee Assistance Program (6 counseling sessions per year, legal assistance, financial counseling, discounted recreation center passes), Employee Volunteer Program
Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources
EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)
For more information please visit our website.
The Community Resource team at Denver Public Library is a non-clinical, externally facing program that supports customers experiencing homelessness, mental health, or substance misuse challenges, and individuals seeking resources. Our staff members are considered the intermediate resource; their main goal is to assist customers and connect them to community-based or city-based resources. Customers work with us voluntarily; there are no requirements to be able to work with our team, and our services are confidential.
DPL is currently hiring for one Peer Resource Navigator/Program Support position, who will provide direct customer service and assist with program facilitation and behind-the-scenes administrative and organizational tasks. This role is a mix of directly supporting customers (approximately 18 hours per week) and performing behind-the-scenes work (approximately 22 hours per week). These hours are approximate, and this role may be required to fill additional frontline hours to cover staff vacations or call-outs as needed. This position is perfect for an experienced Peer or Resource Navigator who is interested in, or experienced in, implementing programming and facilitating events/operations to support vulnerable populations.
As a Peer Resource Navigator, you will provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to customers experiencing homelessness, mental health or substance use challenges, and other under-resourced adults. Your responsibilities will include managing the resource center desk and supplies, providing peer support, guiding resource navigation, roaming the library and conducting check-ins, running programs, and regularly de-escalating incidents and managing crises in the public library setting. You will be responsible for tracking all customer interactions, inputting data, developing and leading training, writing documents, and meeting deadlines, all while providing outstanding internal and external customer service, embodying our value of welcoming, and setting clear boundaries with both staff and customers.
A high level of self-confidence is essential, as you will be introducing yourself to customers and engaging with them proactively on a daily basis.
As Program Support, you will implement programming identified by department leadership in collaboration with the Community Resource team. Your role will involve essential behind-the-scenes tasks for the smooth operation of programming that supports vulnerable customers. This includes organizing and managing supplies, coordinating schedules of resource providers in the Community Resource Center, and handling communications. You may also track attendance, prepare materials, and ensure all logistical aspects are in place for successful program delivery externally and internally (staff training). Overall, you will play a vital support role in facilitating effective, engaging programming for people experiencing homelessness and other life challenges.
No matter which role you are performing, our team members serve as an intermediary resource and role model for library staff, helping them work effectively with customers facing complex challenges. You will collaborate with community members and partner agencies to address systemic issues affecting at-risk customers who frequent Denver Public Library locations.
Our ideal candidate:
Resiliency related to adverse life experiences in any of these areas: homelessness and/or housing instability, mental health, substance use, etc. (Peer navigators are people with a personal experience of recovery from mental health, substance use, experience of homelessness, and other adverse life experiences who receive specialized training and supervision to guide and support others who are experiencing similar challenges toward increased wellness.)
Knowledge of resources and social services available in the Denver area
Ability to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, mental health or substance misuse challenges, and other vulnerable populations
Ability to provide strong, dedicated, and compassionate service in a fast-paced environment
Ability to thrive in a working environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
Ability to take initiative and work independently
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with customers, library staff, community, City agencies, and the public
Ability to model a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers, and the community
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing
Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
Ability to exercise reasonable and professional judgment.
Ability to use extensive workplace technology including email, internet, databases, and other software
Experience and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care
Willingness to be trained in administering Naloxone (Narcan)
Experience and understanding of working with a diverse, urban population
A sincere desire to support customers from all walks of life and improve our community
A high level of organization.
A desire to work directly with the public and complete behind-the-scenes tasks.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Possession of a high school diploma, or GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate
Two (2) years of formal or informal experience in performing intake or collecting information. Including understanding client strengths and community needs and/or providing referrals for assistance
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirement.
Fluent in a second language strongly preferred (Spanish)
Strong computer skills
Don't let a "checklist" hold you back! Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups often self-select out if they don't meet every qualification. If you're reading this and feel a true passion for making an impact, we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply, as an equal combination of education and experience will be considered for all applicants. Your excitement for this work matters just as much as your resume.
The Denver Public Library's branches are the arms to the community—each a unique reflection of the dynamic, diverse communities we serve. At DPL, we pride ourselves on showing up and providing support whenever there is a need. While you may be hired for a specific location, please know that we are hiring with the expectation that at any time, you may be required to work at any one of our branches based on operational needs. This allows our staff to experience the full breadth of Denver's communities and ensures we consistently deliver the highest level of service across our branches.
DPL employees may be redeployed to work in other locations or capacities to support core functions of the library system during branch closures or other emergencies.
This is a full-time, in-person position working on site at the Central Library, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours (note: free parking is not provided).
Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Job postings will close at 12AM on the posted ending date. If interested in this opportunity, please apply as soon as possible.
Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history and employment verification
All Denver Public Library employees must apply through their internal profile.
Ready to learn more and see how you can contribute? Visit us at denverlibrary.org and connect with our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Job Profile
LS3094 Outreach Case Coordinator ITo view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
UnlimitedLibrary Hiring Range
$23.89 - $29.86Target Pay
Agency
Denver Public LibraryRedeployment during Citywide Emergencies
City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.
Assessment Requirement
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.
Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.