Outreach Services Program Assistant - LB Services, Programs & Outreach (temporary)

Outreach Services Program Assistant

The Andrew Heiskell Library is a branch of the New York Public Library, as well as a member of the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). It serves as the Regional NLS Library for the five boroughs of New York City and Long Island. With over 16,000 individual borrowers and 600 enrolled institutions, the Library provides access to talking books, magazines, and braille materials for people who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise physically unable to read standard print.

The Library is seeking an enthusiastic candidate with Spanish-language skills to fill the role of Outreach Services Program Assistant as part of the ongoing Translating Access Program (TAP). The Outreach Services Program Assistant must be prepared to travel across New York City and Long Island to build awareness of and enroll qualified patrons in Andrew Heiskell Library's programs and services. This is a hands-on, active role that requires in-person communication and engagement at a wide range of indoor and outdoor environments, including housing facilities, community events, festivals, street fairs, and public spaces such as parks, community gardens, and markets.

The Outreach Services Program Assistant will conduct targeted outreach promoting the critical services and programs of the Heiskell Library among community organizations and neighborhoods, including outreach to educators, with a focus on underserved, immigrant, and Spanish-speaking communities. The incumbent will work with peers at Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and libraries across Long Island to expand language access further and collaborate on outreach to print-disabled New Yorkers in their neighborhoods. In addition to increasing awareness and use of accessible library materials, programming, and services—especially technology training—the Outreach Services Program Assistant will facilitate new community partnerships in the target neighborhoods and populations.

The Outreach Services Program Assistant will collaborate with Heiskell Library's Reader Advisor, Assistive Technology, and Collections Processing teams to collect and share data related to the evaluation of outreach activities and outcomes of patron engagement with the Library's services and resources. The incumbent will have the opportunity to conduct research into where the greatest inroads can be made, and to provide outreach training for Heiskell Library staff.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Managing Librarian, the Outreach Services Program Assistant will:

• Develop, schedule, attend, and carry out a range of outreach activities at a wide range of year-round community events and festivals throughout New York City and Long Island.
• Undertake a range of outreach activities at NYPL library locations, community organizations, and in public settings (both indoors and outdoors) such as service provider locations, public housing, city shelters, parks, shopping malls, and recreation centers, with a particular emphasis on reaching print-disabled New Yorkers in Spanish-speaking communities.
• Provide clear information about Heiskell Library's services, collections, programs, and resources in in-person and online settings.
• Provide administrative support for Heiskell community outreach initiatives; collect data and assist with preparing impact reports on key events and activities related to the Translating Access Program.
• Maintain up-to-date stakeholder contact information and help identify new opportunities for community outreach.
• Collaborate with partners across NYPL including the central programming and outreach teams, branch staff, and central services teams, including Branch Programs and Services, BookOps, Communication, and Facilities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

Required Experience & Skills:

• 1-2 years of work experience in customer service and/or community outreach.
• Conversational fluency in Spanish.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and the ability to work well with a diverse patronage that includes people of all abilities.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to work patiently, thoroughly, and accurately with patrons who may need extended assistance.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team atmosphere, and independently under minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel to locations throughout New York City and Long Island.

Core Values:

• All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment:

• Public service library.
• Outdoor and public settings will often be required.
• Large-scale public events, including community festivals and street fairs.

Physical Duties:

• Lifting up to 15 lbs.
• Frequent travel throughout New York City and Long Island.
• Daily use of a computer.

Schedule: 35 hours per week, typically scheduled between 10am and 6pm, with availability for some evenings and Saturday hours as required by outreach opportunities.