Baltimore County Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer (minorities/females/disabled/veterans). To learn more about this, view the EEO is the Law poster and this EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

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Social Worker
Job Code:2024-614
Branch/Department:Multiple Locations
FT/PT Status:Regular Full Time
Salary range:$61,999-Starting Salary
  
At BCPL, staff members have the opportunity to enrich individual lives and build strong communities by delivering exceptional customer experiences, establishing meaningful partnerships, and creating innovative learning spaces. We seek enthusiastic, open-minded, self-motivated individuals who can work well independently and with others. BCPL circulates over 10 million items and provides library services through its 19 branches, 4 mobile library vehicles, and an extensive outreach network. If you are forward thinking and passionate about public service, consider joining BCPL in this position.

Schedule:
This is a full time position working 40 hours a week. All library administrative staff may be required to work evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year as part of the normal work schedule.

Location: East side of Baltimore County and West side of Baltimore County

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Social Work Supervisor, the Social Worker is responsible for supporting services to customers at Baltimore County Public Library, especially those experiencing homelessness and behavioral health issues, and supporting library staff in the development of trauma-informed practice. This position will provide trauma-informed assistance, information, referrals, outreach and public programs and services to customers of all ages from all socioeconomic backgrounds who frequent our 19 library branches and our mobile vehicles. This role will also provide support as appropriate for behavioral health crises when they emerge at branches when the social worker is present and support training development for staff in how to navigate similar situations at their branches. This position will support partnerships with community agencies and programs through referrals, attending community meetings, and exploring collaborations. This position will primarily provide in-person services from two libraries in the same geographic region and on-call virtual (and limited in-person) services for customers at other library branches. This position would involve direct service approximately 50% of regularly scheduled hours. 
  • Provides one-on-one assistance to customers of all ages in branches or library vehicles, virtually or by phone. Proactively engages in outreach with customers, including those with significant behavioral health-related behaviors, and with local community providers and events
  • Provide direct intervention using clinical skills during a customer's behavioral health crisis. Assist library staff in appropriate navigation and lead post-crisis debriefing
  • Supports developing and established partnerships with organizations and Baltimore County agencies that provide services to vulnerable customers to ensure seamless coordination and maximize service delivery. Provides referrals to service agencies to support identified needs, including housing, employment, education, income, food insecurity, health care, etc.
  • Develops collaborative methods to connect these populations with Library resources and provides access and instruction
  • Develops services and programs for the public that foster the spirit of inclusion and equity within BCPL, such as coffee circles, resource fairs, and specialized programming targeting the needs of vulnerable customers
  • Provides education to library staff on issues affecting our most vulnerable community members, including domestic violence, child abuse and adult abuse. Develops resources with and for library staff such as resource sheets and guides, information for our website, and handouts for customers
  • Facilitates training in trauma-informed services to staff to help them provide improved service to all customers and better understand the resources available for customers experiencing complex social needs
  • Completes community needs assessments to inform the Library's capital projects and strategic plans
  • In collaboration with appropriate staff, develop and maintain measurable program outcomes and reporting methods to ensure program effectiveness, including performance measures and preferred outcomes
  • Must be able to meet scheduling requirements by arriving at work on time and staying until the end of one's shift
  • Must be able to work evenings and weekends (as needed and as approved of) and be flexible with one's work schedule to meet daily operational requirement
  • Must have access to transportation, as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, including meetings, events and activities at other branch locations or offsite
  • Other duties as assigned
Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible

Job Requirements:
  • Master's degree in social work from an accredited institution
  • Current LCSW-C licensure, active and in good standing with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. For applicants with an out-of-state license, an application to the Maryland Board of Social Workers must be marked as "pending" and a Maryland license would need to be obtained within six months
  • Minimum of three years of post-graduate experience providing direct clinical services. Previous experience in crisis de-escalation, providing training, and systems navigation preferred
  • Experience in group facilitation or workshops preferred
  • Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
  • Willingness and ability to acquire knowledge of library computer systems and applications and awareness of library services
  • Excellent communication skills, public speaking experience
  • Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. and push/pull a wheeled cart weighing up to 100 lbs.
  • Must be able to bend, kneel, crouch and stretch for extended periods of time
  • Must be able to stand and/or walk for up to two hours at a time
  • Must be able to sit for extended periods of time
  • Must be able to use computer for extended periods of time
  • Must be able to read small print
**For Best Consideration: apply by November 21, 2024**

*Applicants for this position will remain in consideration for any Social Worker position openings within the next six months and do not need to reapply.*

We have a 14 step pay scale. Internal applicants starting pay varies based on their current step on the salary scale. We also offer, as appropriate, overtime pay, comp. time, and differential pay.

We offer an excellent benefits package that includes pay holidays, 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, and 7 personal days per year, as well as health, dental, vision, life, VLTD, pension, deferred compensation, EAP, flex spending, and Commuter Choice Parking and Transit Accounts.