About Our Job

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a growing urban library system that serves the residents of 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.

For more information, go to denverlibrary.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

 As a Peer Resource Navigator, you will work to provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to customers experiencing homelessness, mental health/substance misuse challenges, and under-resourced adults. This position will work at the Central Library three days a week (which does not provide free parking) and support customers in branch locations 2 days a week. The primary focus of this department is supporting adult customers inside the library by building relationships, assessing needs, navigating resources, and assisting customers in connecting to external resources in the community. Our team members serve as an intermediary resource and model for library staff to work effectively with customers. You will collaborate with community members and agencies to address systemic issues and needs faced by these at-risk library customers who spend time in and around the Denver Public Libraries. This position is for in-person work Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; it may sometimes include evening and weekend hours.

About Our Department

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.

About You

Our ideal candidate:

• Knowledge of resources and social services available in the Denver area

• Skill in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, mental health or substance misuse challenges; and other vulnerable populations 

• Skill in providing 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 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

• 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.)

• A sincere desire to improve our community