Language Services Program Manager

Title: Language Services Program Manager

Location: Denver , CO, United States

Full time

job requisition id: R0073940

Job Description:

About Our Job

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the City & County of Denver. DPL sees more than 4 million visitors every year across its 27 locations, serves Denver's most vulnerable communities through outreach and mobile services, hosts thousands of programs a year, and manages a collection of more than 1.4 million physical and digital materials. We believe a strong library is vital for a strong community. DPL is committed to serving the evolving needs of Denverites through inspired programming, diverse collections, culturally-representative spaces and equitable policies & procedures.

About Our Department

The Cultural Inclusivity Services Department, a part of the Public Services Division, collaborates with Denver's multicultural community to create equitable opportunities where everyone thrives. We focus on fostering an inclusive environment within the library's locations through programs and services. We work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to design services to serve the community. We are active in the community participating in outreach events and meeting with community members and organizations. Plaza, one of the department's main programs, has been an important element of Denver Public Library's programming for fifteen years, and takes place at ten library branches and online. Plaza creates inclusive spaces for people from all over the world to connect with resources and meet new people by offering low-barrier spaces for language practice, citizenship exam preparation, legal help, technical assistance, resource navigation, and more. Cultural Inclusivity's dedicated Arabic, Spanish, and Vietnamese Services Administrators create opportunities for those communities to engage with the library. All programs are free, family-friendly, and open to all. Learn more at denverlibrary.org/ci.

About Our Job

As DPL's Language Services Program Manager, your job will be to support the planning, coordination, and evaluation of in-library language services and programs throughout the DPL system. This is a new role at the Denver Public Library and the team of language services administrators is currently building up language services. Your primary work location will be the Central Library, however, you will also spend time at other DPL locations and some of your work may be done remotely. Some evenings and weekends might be required.

Under the direction of the Cultural Inclusivity Service Manager, you will work closely with the Plaza Program Manager, Language Services Administrators, and other DPL staff throughout the system to ensure that DPL's language services meet the needs of customers and staff and are focused on supporting positive experiences for our customers.

Specific Duties Include:

• Supervise a team of Program Administrators.

• Oversee the planning, coordination, and evaluation of in-branch language services and programs and analyze trends.

• Assess the impact and effectiveness of the library's language services and programs and continuously refine and improve them.

• Develop, document, and share best practices and guidelines for Language Services at DPL.

• Help develop the Language Services budget and strategic goals.

• Collect and maintain useful and accurate data about DPL's in-branch language services and programs.

• Identify potential partners and program participants, and plan strategies for reaching target audiences.

• Work closely with other library departments and branch libraries to build relationships that support and expand language services offerings at library locations.

• Resolve problems and mediate conflicts encountered during daily operations, determining the appropriate solutions and promoting teamwork.

• May occasionally support library outreach efforts.

About You:

Our ideal candidate has supervisory experience in a public library, experience supporting colleagues who work with underserved communities, and a desire to provide innovative and responsive language programs and services for our customers.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Supervisory experience in a public library.

• Enthusiasm for language services and learning new things.

• Great communication skills.

• Experience coordinating programs and services across multiple locations for diverse audiences.

• Skill in managing projects and experience in managing multiple projects at once.

• Skill in providing strong, dedicated and compassionate leadership.

• Ability to apply an inclusive and trauma-informed lens to supervision, services, and programs.

• Skill in making data-informed decisions and program evaluation.

• Skill in communicating, collaborating, and establishing effective working relationships with employees and colleagues.

• Ability to facilitate, lead, coach, mentor and encourage accountability with staff who do and do not report to you.

• Ability to solve problems creatively, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.

• Ability to model positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers, and the community.

• Ability to train and lead others in new processes.

• Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.

• Ability to travel to various locations within the City of Denver regularly.

• 3 or more years of experience overseeing programs and services to underserved communities.

• Second language fluency is strongly preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Management, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, or a related field.

• Three (3) years of full performance professional level experience developing, implementing, and administering programs

• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education for all classifications

The Language Services Program Manager's work will vary day-to-day. Typical tasks include visiting DPL locations, check-ins with staff, supporting the development of learning opportunities, writing department updates to share with the organization, and meeting with both internal and external partners. Please note that this position works mostly with DPL staff to enhance programs and services to underserved communities, rather than working directly with our customers.

This position will be based out of the Central Library, with some days spent at branch libraries and working from home. The successful candidate should be prepared to pay for parking on days spent at the Central Library, typically ranging from $9-$16 per day.

Please include a cover letter that explains your interest in this role, and why you believe you would be a good candidate. We value colleagues from all communities and identities.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

LA2962 Program Manager

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Library Hiring Range

$72,534.00 - $96,108.00

Starting Pay

Agency

Denver Public Library

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.