Saint Paul Public Libraries is hiring a Community Specialist to focus on serving the Somali community. This is an exciting opportunity to provide services to patrons of the libraries and build connections with community members.
Ideal candidates should have general background in community engagement, understanding of the immigrant and refugee experience or paths to citizenship, and ability to work with culturally diverse communities. The flexible and mobile nature of this role may include working at and traveling to multiple library locations and community partner locations, such as local schools. This position also requires working a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours.
We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.
Responsibilities
Here is what you can expect to do:
Performs intermediate level technical work promoting library services to targeted communities of color including immigrant communities.
Facilitates and delivers library services with a focus on programs that contribute to children's advocacy development and school readiness as well as programs for adults such as job searching and digital literacy.
Provides direct services in English and Somali such as leading English language learning, providing translation and interpretation services, and providing cultural competency training to Saint Paul Public Library Staff and the public.
Improves the effectiveness of Library communication with communities of color by developing and maintaining key contacts within the Communities.
Hosts in person Somali story times, facilitates digital literacy classes, and provides library information and resources to the community.
In collaboration with programming leads and other Library Community Specialists, coordinates multiple programs and fosters effective partnerships within the team.
Serves as an internal consultant regarding specific communities of color to Saint Paul Library staff.
For more information and essential functions, see our job description Cultural Liaison on the City of Saint Paul website.
Information Specific to this Position: Candidates for this full time vacancy should be able to communicate fluently in Somali and demonstrate cultural competency with the Somali community represented in St. Paul.
Qualifications
Position Requirements Must meet one of the following, as designated in the job announcement:
- A bachelor's degree.
- Two years of college (60 semester credits) and two years of reference and referral library services experience.
- A Certificate in Urban Library Services or equivalent certification and one year of library services experience.
- Four years of experience in a social service agency providing direct client service and one year of library services experience.
- Four years of experience in a social service agency providing direct client service plus 12 college semester credits.
- If applying for a position delivering services in a language other than English, must read and write fluently in the respective language.
Possessing a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license is preferred.
City of Saint Paul
200 City Hall Annex
Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota 55101
US
