The Digital Navigation Program at Loveland Public Library aligns with our vision and mission of creating a more digital equitable and inclusive community in Larimer County. AmeriCorps members serving as Digital Navigators assist community members with accessing affordable internet service and devices and providing digital skills training. During the 2023-24 service term, members will be placed with one of 7 host-sites in Larimer County, including: Loveland, Estes Valley, Red Feather Lakes, Berthoud, Wellington, and Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus in Fort Collins. To learn more about Loveland Public Library and the Digital Navigators of Larimer County Libraries programming, visit www.lovlib.org/americorps.
PLEASE UPLOAD A RESUME, COVER LETTER. & 2 SUPERVISOR LEVEL REFERENCES WITH APPLICATION
SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES: Member positions at all host sites will work one on one with community members primarily in person, with some assistance occurring by email or remote video conference depending on the needs and abilities of each community member. When community members’ needs and goals align, Digital Navigators may also offer small group training. First, AmeriCorps members will assess community members’ access to internet service at home and to equipment. Next community members’ ability to utilize technology to meet their needs and achieve their goals will be assessed. Digital navigators will serve people who are members of historically marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, older adults, members of ethnic and racial minorities, people living at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, people with limited literacy and/or English language proficiency and people who reside primarily in rural areas. In addition, AmeriCorps members will conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about digital inclusion and digital equity in their community and spread the word about the availability of this service in their community. Digital navigators will also collect and report data on the types of requests received, services provided, and the outcomes of the services provided. AmeriCorps members are required to meet with program managers a minimum of once per month and the program coordinator and host site supervisors a minimum of once per week to ensure success within their site.
Access to affordable internet services: The cost of internet service is a barrier for some Coloradans. Primary responsibilities of AmeriCorps members in this area will be to assist the community member with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) application, which provides eligible community members with a discount for internet service and a discount on devices. Members will become versed in helping community members apply for the discounted internet service through ACP to service with a local participating internet service provider (ISP). This assistance could include assisting the community members in talking on the telephone with a customer service representative at local ISPs.
Access to affordable electronic devices: Members will assist community members with obtaining devices they need to achieve their digital inclusion goals. AmeriCorps members will connect community members with providers of affordable devices and/or repair services.
Digital skills training: Once community members have internet service in their homes and a device to use it, they may have online tasks or activities they need to complete. Digital Navigators will teach community members how to complete these tasks, including online safety and security topics. Members will help with identifying the digital skills training needed for the community members to achieve their digital inclusion goals. The AmeriCorps member will provide this training and/or refer the community member to an organization in the community that provides the training. Digital skills training can include a wide variety of activities. Examples include helping community members access and use social media, communicate using video with friends and family, assistance with online applications, enroll in and/or participate in online training, using email, navigating the internet, using telehealth or video meeting applications, using software like Microsoft Office and/or Google applications, comfortability using and navigating a mobile device, and more.
TERM OF SERVICE: - Start Date: October 30, 2023
- End Date: October 29, 2024
- Average hours per week: 19-20 hours
- Total Expected Hours: 900 hours of service
BENEFITS: - Up to a $916.66 monthly maximum living allowance, paid bi-weekly.
- Segal Education Award of $3,447.50 upon successful completion of the term.
- Laptop to keep after service term.
- Internet/mobile hotspot for use during term.
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to host site(s).
- Attendance ticket for local or virtual digital literacy or professional development conference such as National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) in 2024.
- Access to AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program.
- Remote service opportunity for up to 20% of service time.
- Multiple opportunities for professional development. Topics include digital inclusion and equity, communicating with diverse populations, fundamentals of adult learning, and other relevant topics.
Minimum qualifications and requirements: - US Citizen, US National, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
- At least 17 years of age at the commencement of service
- Received a high school diploma or equivalent or, if current high school student, agreement to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent.
- A federal, state criminal history, sex offender National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) background check will be obtained pre-eligibility for service.
- Reliable vehicle, car insurance & driver’s license. A driving record will be obtained.
- Able to lift, transfer, and move light duty technology equipment such as laptops, tablets, and rolling carts of up to 20lbs.
Professional responsibilities: - Ability to act as a positive role model.
- Commitment to ethics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Willingness to learn and adapt and accept feedback from staff.
- Ability to work well within a team setting.
- Participate in professional development training required by Loveland Public Library, City of Loveland, and applicable host site (Berthoud Community Library District, Estes Valley Library, Red Feather Lakes Community Library, Wellington Public Library, Front Range Community College Harmony Library).
- Professionally represent AmeriCorps, Loveland Public Library, and host site Libraries when serving with students, community members and partners.
Committed to developing the skills below (if the applicant does not already have these skills) - Embrace the challenge of learning and teaching basic technological concepts related to internet services, computer and device characteristics, online security practices, and common online services and applications.
- Take initiative, be organized, and effectively manage time.
- Provide excellent customer service in person, via email/chat, video conference, and on the phone.
- Establish appropriate professional boundaries with clients.
- Establish trust with clients of varied ages and socioeconomic, educational, language and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, a positive attitude, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor in working with diverse populations.
- Creatively solve problems and negotiate and handle stressful situations while maintaining professionalism.
- Create and update digital inclusion plan with needs assessment, goals and outcomes for each community member served.
- Create short form written, image-based, or video instructions and guides to aid community members with basic technological concepts.
HOST-SITE PLACEMENT: Determined by Program Manager and Program Coordinator after interview process: dependent on proximity to host site, member’s personality, and work style. If interested in a specific host site, please state location in your application. Possible host sites include:
- Loveland Public Library & community partners within Loveland, CO city limit
- Berthoud Community Library: Berthoud, CO
- Estes Valley Library: Estes Park, CO
- Wellington Town Library: Wellington, CO
- Front Range Community College Larimer Campus: Fort Collins, CO
- Red Feather Lakes Library: Red Feather Lakes, CO
DISCLAIMERS: AmeriCorps: In accordance with AmeriCorps Regulation 45 CFR 2540.100, this position does not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in workforce, or an employee who is on leave. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is committed to achieving a diverse, high-performing workforce. No persons involved with this program will discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability, marital/parental status, or military service. We strive to provide a service and work environment free of sexual, racial, ethnic, religious or other harassment.
City of Loveland:The City of Loveland provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential position functions.
A criminal history and NHCSC check will be obtained pre-service.
