Affordable Connectivity Program Assistant, Part Time #2307-1191-01
Digital Equity Advocacy: Bridging the Digital Divide
- Date Opened
- Tuesday, July 04, 2023 12:01 AM
- Close Date
- Friday, July 21, 2023 11:59 PM
- Section
- Public Library
- Salary
- $20.00- $20.50 per hour
- Employment Type
- Part-Time
Introduction
Now and tomorrow, the New Haven Free Public Library will transform lives and contribute to creating a strong, resilient, and informed community where everyone can thrive.
The New Haven Free Public Library fosters lifelong learning, inspires curiosity, and builds community through shared access to resources, experiences, and opportunities for all. Learn more about the New Haven Free Public Library HERE and HERE!
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
Join our Library team to:
- Provide individualized or small group assistance to community members who need affordable home internet service, affordable internet-capable devices, and/or coaching in introductory digital skills in order to become effective home internet users. This assistance is provided primarily by in-person instruction within the library system’s 5 facilities, but may also include telephone, email, text, video chat, and other communication methods that work for the learner.
- Coordinate planning and services for systemwide ACP signup services, including marketing and outreach.
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
- Provides individualized or small group assistance to community members who need affordable home internet service, affordable internet-capable devices, and/or coaching in introductory digital skills in order to become effective home internet users. This assistance is provided primarily by in-person instruction within the library system’s 5 facilities, but may also include telephone, email, text, video chat, and other communication methods that work for the learner.
- Coordinates planning and services for systemwide ACP signup services, including marketing and outreach.
Part time assignment, 19.5 hours per week. Hours of work may vary to support program goals.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with Concepts for Adaptive Learning (CfAL) and other community partner organizations to plan, organize, and facilitate ACP events throughout the NHFPL system, including our 4 neighborhood branches.
- Work with Concepts for Adaptive Learning (CfAL) and other community partner organizations to plan, organize, and facilitate ACP outreach events offsite within the local communities of New Haven.
- Create and/or publish graphics, image descriptions, and written copy for library social media related the ACP initiatives.
- Gather, organize, disseminate, and share qualitative and quantitative data related to ACP initiatives with NHFPL administrators, IT staff, and other grant stakeholders.
- Provide regular progress reports on ACP initiatives to NHFPL administrators, staff, and grant stakeholders.
- Receive, return, or initiate telephone contact with clients seeking ACP assistance or identified by NHFPL or partner organizations’ staff for assistance.
- Discuss with each client their home internet access or need for home internet access, technology experiences, and their devices.
- Assess the client’s access to technology & current digital skill level pertaining to what they need to accomplish the plan, connectivity needs, and internet use priorities.
- Advise clients about the Affordable Connectivity Program and related free or affordable home internet service options for which they may qualify, assist clients to apply for services they choose, and support their efforts to secure service.
- If necessary, advise clients about sources of affordable computers or other internet connected devices for which they may qualify, and support their efforts to acquire appropriate devices and where they can get help for repair.
- Coach clients as necessary to use their home internet services in order to meet their internet use priorities. This may include both in person, phone, and online interactions, as well as referral to sources of additional digital literacy skill training.
- Track each client’s progress and types of requests, keep accurate and timely records, and report outcomes as required.
- Plan and manage assistance to each client with the goal of fulfilling the agreed goals.
- Other tasks as necessary
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Graduation from a high school, which may be supplemented by college level courses relevant to the job duties performed by this position. Minimum 1 year of customer service experience, and at least 2 years of administrative work experience such as described in the duties of this position is desirable. Previous experience in providing technology instruction, and digital literacy training, is ideal, as is prior experience in working with internet services, home internet technologies, and internet-capable devices.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of basic technological concepts, computer skills, and common online services and applications.
- Experience with social media platforms and graphic design software for creating promotional content is a plus.
- Ability to embrace the challenge of learning and teaching basic technological concepts related to internet services, computer and device characteristics, and common online services and applications.
- Excellent self-organization, language capacity, and cultural competency.
- Excellent telephone and online communication skills, including the ability to establish trust with clients of varied educational and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to demonstrate positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor in working with diverse customers, coworkers, and community.
- Ability to creatively solve problems on the fly, and negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service, establish appropriate boundaries with clients, and to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.
- Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable. Bilingual or multilingual candidates with proficiency in other languages spoken by the community are encouraged to apply.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of Connecticut driver’s license. This role includes travel to various library and community locations throughout the City, sometimes several times during a workday.
SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
This is a "Special Fund," non-tested position.
This grant term is expected to last 2 years.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
Selection Plan
Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources and the hiring department after the closing date.
It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to determine if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process.
Conclusion
To apply for this opportunity:
- Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.
- You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.
- MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!
- Review or modify your application for that position
- Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation
- Click "Send to City of New Haven"
- You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"
- You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission
- If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov
Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.