Literacy Zone Case Manager (New Lots) - Brooklyn Public Library

Overview

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st-century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. BPL provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book. 

The Brooklyn Public Library Adult Learning Program provides student-centered adult literacy services throughout Brooklyn communities. We are seeking a full-time Case Manager to support the needs of WIOA HSE participants within the Literacy Zone Welcome Center at the New Lots Library. The LZ case manager will help ensure that program participants are knowledgeable of free programs/ resources that will help alleviate any barriers to completing their educational goals. They will work collaboratively with the WIOA HSE admin team and instructors to ensure participants’ needs are being met. This role will work closely and under the guidance of the Literacy Zone coordinator onsite.

Responsibilities

• Conducts a comprehensive and educational/vocational assessment to develop a plan of service to meet participants’ needs (approximately 100 clients per year). Provide intensive one-on-one and/or small group services to participants and their families including counseling and advising participants on their career, academic, and social service needs. The goal is to link them with resources that would move them out of poverty.
• Able to plan events and coordinate community events based on the Literacy Zone target (goal is to meet and/or exceed program targets)
• Identifies post-secondary transition programs and assists foreign-born participants to become familiar with the American workforce, post-secondary youth and adults to earn their high school diploma, improve their English skills, and improve their reading and writing skills and succeed in post-secondary education, apprenticeship programs, or training.
• Assist with program outreach, recruitment, information sessions, assessments, orientations, and goal setting.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate with key staff and instructors to ascertain barriers that specific participants may be experiencing that prevent them from meeting their educational needs.
• Collaborates with and refers participants to various community partners for wrap-around services including health literacy, financial literacy, and more.
• Researches and assists participants in acquiring related supportive services such as computer literacy, transportation, public assistance, and childcare.
• Facilitates and/or coordinates various workshops/information sessions.
• Attend community partner meetings and attend bi-monthly case management team meetings.
• Maintains case notes by documenting client’s goals, outcomes, and goals using the ASISTS database.
• Monitors participants’ progress and follows up frequently.
• Performs other tasks deemed necessary to assist in achieving service and programmatic goals.

Qualifications

• Some college required and/or preferred Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field; relevant experience in adult education (ESOL or HSE)
• Strong awareness of the barriers facing adult learners looking to integrate workforce, technology, and academic environment.
• Relevant experience in counseling individuals and/or facilitating informational sessions
• Must have a good knowledge of the available educational, training, and employment resources.
• Good knowledge of labor market trends and requirements and the skill, abilities and experiences required in a wide variety of occupations.
• Initiative and resourcefulness; tact and courtesy; Good judgement and problem solving ability
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Google Drive, Outlook, Social Media
• Able to travel to various program sites throughout the week and work alternate Saturdays, evenings, and day shifts

Schedule:

Mon./Wed./Fri. 9:45-5:30

Tues./Thurs 12:45-8:00 

two Saturdays a month 10-4

Must be willing to travel and work from various library branches within the Literacy Zone target area.

*Complete 14 hours of professional development per year.

This is a grant-funded opportunity through June 30, 2025, with the possibility of renewal based on work performance.  Contracts are renewed annually based on performance.  The work week is 35 hours per week at $45,000 per year salary.