• Job Description

  Req#: R0063302

  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.

  The mission of the Digital Inclusion Department (DI) is to leverage the resources of DPL and community partners to connect everyone in Denver with the technology access and training they need to thrive. We oversee and coordinate access to public computers, circulating technology like Chromebooks and hotspots, digital literacy training, and our six ideaLAB makerspaces.

  ideaLABs are free community makerspaces located in Denver Public Libraries. They are open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. There are tools and software available in the labs to do a wide variety of things: produce videos, make music, create textiles, learn about electronics and more. Each branch lab has dedicated staff to oversee 22 hours of open lab access, 5 days per week. Hours and equipment vary by location to reflect different community needs. We currently have ideaLABs located in these 6 libraries:

  • Hadley Library

  • Hampden Library

  • Montbello Library

  • Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Library

  • Sam Gary Library

  • Central Library

  What You’d Do

  DPL is hiring a full-time ideaLAB Program Coordinator to support our makerspaces system-wide, with an emphasis on all-ages maker programming. This is a newly created position to help support the existing programming that is happening in ideaLAB branches and expand our capacity to deliver maker programming in other library locations and at community partner sites. This position will report directly to, and work very closely with, the ideaLAB Program Administrator.

  On a day-to-day basis, you will be collaborating with staff at all of the ideaLAB branches to coordinate and co-create new learning materials, including workshop plans, documentation for self-directed activities, and multilingual handouts for all ages. You will help improve existing maker programming curriculum, and coordinate how materials are organized and shared publicly. You will assist in purchasing materials and tracking expenditures for all 6 makerspaces.

  Currently we have a number of items that are designed to be maker program-in-a-box activities shared between all DPL locations. You will be responsible for maintaining the existing maker program kits, reviewing and reporting on usage data, and developing new kits to meet the changing needs of our communities. This position will purchase materials or replacement items for maker kits and work with the ideaLAB Program Administrator to track and develop a budget.

  As needed, you will assist in training newly hired ideaLAB staff on best practices for program development, and will provide information and advice to staff who may have done some library programming, but are new to making. You will guide ideaLAB staff through the process of planning their regular programs for each quarter and in planning annual larger scale programs like our 5-day summer maker camps for kids. You will also develop and maintain relationships with community partners for outreach connections.

  Occasionally you may be asked to substitute or supplement for ideaLAB staff at any of our 6 ideaLAB locations, and attend outreach events, which could potentially include some evenings and weekends.

  This position will be expected to travel between multiple locations regularly, including library branches and community partner sites. They will join the Digital Inclusion team in a shared workspace at the Central Library.

  About You

  The ideal candidate for this position will have:

  • A sincere desire to improve our community and promote social justice, and an understanding of making and learning as tools in that work.

  • Knowledge of maker education principles and makerspace best practices.

  • Knowledge of digital fabrication tools, fabric arts, hand tools, digital design, music production, and/or craft techniques preferred.

  • Skill in managing projects.

  • Skill in training a wide variety of learners.

  • Skill in program planning, including continuous improvement and rapid prototyping of services.

  • Skill in communicating, collaborating and establishing effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, organizations and the public.

  • Ability to work collaboratively with team members to accomplish shared goals.

  • Ability to creatively solve problems, 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 community.

  • Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.

  • Ability to frequently adopt and teach new tools, software and technology.

  • Ability to use workplace technology, including email, internet, collaborative tools, and other software effectively.

  • Ability to work and make decisions both collaboratively and independently.

  • Ability to travel to all 6 ideaLAB locations regularly.

  • Experience working with children and teens is a plus.

  • Ability to pass a background check after the offer to hire has been made.

  Minimum Requirements

  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.

  One year of experience teaching or presenting information.

  One year of experience in a makerspace.

  A resume that lists your work experience and a cover letter that connects your experience to this position.

  Other Things You Should Know:

  Although the full salary range for this position is provided, the initial wage will be between $25.57 - 31.96 an hour. The City and County of Denver benefit package will be offered.

  The schedule will be determined by the needs of the department, which currently includes onsite Monday - Friday daytime hours. We anticipate the position will be mainly onsite and include travel between branches as well as occasional evening and weekend hours.

  We expect this position to close on 2/22/2024, please submit a resume and cover letter at your earliest convenience.

  About Everything Else

  Job Profile

  LA2430 Program Coordinator

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

  Position Type

  Unlimited

  Library Hiring Range

  $25.57 - $31.96

  Starting Pay

  25.57-38.36

  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.

  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.

  For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

• About the company

  Denver, officially the City and County of Denver, is the capital and most populous municipality of the US state of Colorado.

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