Community Resource Liaison

Community Resource Liaison

This position is a GRANT funded role lasting 1 year, with possible extensions up to 3 years total.*

Under limited supervision, the liaison performs supervisory and administrative work to help provide support services, including information, referrals, and assistance to patrons of all ages. As part of the Suffolk Public Library's Community Engagement Department, this role integrates social work practices into library services, outreach, and partnerships to advance the library's mission of equity, access, and intentional partnerships. The Community Resource Liaison works collaboratively with library staff and community partners to address barriers to information, learning, and wellness.

Serves as the manager of a specific division or area and is responsible for planning, leading, managing, and evaluating community resources. Ensures all services align with the library's strategic goals and are implemented effectively. Responsible for identifying library patrons who may benefit from referral to community resources such as mental health services, substance abuse services, educational resources, after‑school resources, housing services, food and community resources, or case management services identified either through patron request, individual patron need assessments, or direct referral by City staff;

providing resources and referrals for services and assisting patrons with follow‑through; monitoring the budget, researching and formulating long‑range goals, developing policies, and planning and evaluating programs, services, and goals. Reports to the Community Engagement Library Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this job description but which may be reasonably considered incidental.

• Supports library outreach efforts such as pop‑up libraries, food and resource pantries, and community events to ensure equitable access to information and basic needs resources.
• Provides consultation and guidance to staff regarding complex patron needs and referrals.
• Promotes collaboration and understanding of library‑based social work services across agencies and the public.
• Collaborates with the Community Engagement Manager on data collection, grant reporting, and evaluation of outreach and resource service impact.
• Connects clients and the general public to resource agencies as needs are identified.
• Interprets programs to other agencies and the public.
• Supervises, assigns and reviews daily activities of the division's community resource workers, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures and standards for multiple benefit and employment programs as administered through the City Library Department, instructing and advising, as appropriate, and resolving problems as non‑routine situations arise.
• Develops, maintains, and accommodates community agency partnerships.
• Develops resources with and for library staff such as resource sheets and guides, information for our website, and handouts for customers as well as facilitating the upkeep of the Community Resource Guide with program partners and service providers in the area.
• Reviews individual program cases and assists subordinates in difficult or complicated cases; interprets policy and advises subordinates, as necessary; reviews reports of subordinates to ensure timeliness and accuracy.
• Provides information and referral services, directing public education programs, researching information, and marketing related concerns and issues.
• Maintains knowledge of current public assistance and employment policies and applies, explains and interprets complex federal, state, and local policies to clients, service providers, attorneys, the public, and other interested parties.
• Coordinates programs and services by working with agencies and organizations outside the library to develop programs of mutual interest, working with City departments, and…