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Digital Equity Manager

City of Cambridge, MA
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ABOUT THE CITY:  The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that people of different ethnic, racial, religious, national, and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our city's diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve. The city is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. We seek to hire, develop, and advance individuals who value antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and are committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.  

ABOUT THE LIBRARY:  At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives, and democracy thrives. Since 1889, the Cambridge Public Library has been a place of learning and community where all are welcome to expand their horizons. Through the Main Library and six neighborhood branches — Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente — the Library operates as a unified system to offer free library services and programs to residents. 

ABOUT THE ROLE: The Cambridge Public Library with its seven locations will become a public hub for digital equity learning in the City of Cambridge. In partnership with other City Departments, the Library will continue to foster equity and access by engaging the public in quality digital equity learning experiences. The Library’s Digital Equity Manager will collaborate with City staff to drive the Library’s digital equity agenda, spearhead new initiatives around digital equity learning, and create high quality digital equity curriculum. This position will report to the Library’s Manager of Innovation & Technology, with a dotted line to the Manager of Adult Services. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following: 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Planning:  

  • Creates a clear, compelling and achievable vision for digital equity at the Library, including the Main Library and all branches  
  • Communicates, coordinates, and works with staff to generate an understanding of digital equity learning and the Library’s mission, services, and role in this area, both internally and externally 
  • Works with Library and City staff to drive strategic, appropriate, and innovative digital equity programs, services, collections, and spaces 
  • In collaboration with City Digital Equity staff, initiates, develops, coordinates, schedules, implements and evaluates digital equity programs for all ages (children through seniors) and skill levels (beginners through advanced) 
  • Builds out a digital equity roadmap and strategic framework with both tactical and strategic goals for the short and long term
  • Advances the Library as the destination in the City to discover, learn and experience new technologies and digital equity opportunities 
  • Attends and participates in various programs as requested to enhance skills associated with the position
     

Digital Equity & Operations: 

  • Supports digital equity programming in all library locations and travels to branches to assist with programs and staff training 
  • May recruit and coordinate volunteers who will provide digital equity programming within the library
  • May research and coordinate external instructors for digital equity programming, where applicable
  • Creates an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate for a range of learning activities 
  • Communicates and apply library policies, providing leadership in addressing and resolving any issues
  • Provides basic computer and technology maintenance, including troubleshooting and providing technical support during hands-on work with learners 

Programming and Training:

  • Delivers high quality digital equity programming to the public
  • Instructs patrons in the use of digital equity related library resources, tools, and technology; Engages library users in working with technology
  • Trains staff on new digital equity related technology and software and effective pedagogy; develops and implements technology training, instruction plans, and materials
  • Oversees and guides delivery of digital equity programming and training by others: external instructors, CPL staff, volunteers
  • Implements and builds upon stepped-learning curriculum plans to expand digital equity offerings over time 

 Community Engagement: 

  • Reaches out to the community to invite and engage a diverse group of people to participate in digital equity programs, especially residents who are under-resourced and/or underrepresented 
  • Develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with other City staff, businesses, community groups, schools, etc. to foster collaborative programs and services around Digital Equity in the community 
  • Attends continuing education and professional development opportunities 
  • Develops measuring tools and creates reports to communicate digital equity outcomes and impacts
  • May be responsible for maintaining timely content on a portion of the Library website 
  • Communicates the Library’s digital equity programs, philosophies, goals, and results to stakeholders 
  • Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned for the good of the department and library 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  A Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in science, technology, education or related field and 3-5 years of experience in education, curriculum development and instruction, libraries, and/or related program management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

  • Technical sophistication: experience with end-user computer applications; ability to independently adopt new technical skills as needed
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups; Ability to thrive in a working environment with constant public contact with people from all backgrounds and age groups  
  • Ability to identify and analyze a strategic direction and to develop and implement programs and activities to address areas of community interest and need 
  • Outstanding project management skills; Demonstrated experience facilitating meetings and convening and leading committees and workgroups
  • Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in an environment of a new initiative with a lot of change; Ability to train and lead others in new processes  
  • Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner 
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate and establish effective working relationships 
  • Experience working in large complex organizations and in the public sector strongly preferred Willingness to seek and develop an understanding of the role, mission and function of a large urban public library system
  • Able to anticipate needs, organize work, set priorities, use time effectively, work independently, and meet deadlines; Ability to multi-task, prioritize multiple competing demands; Exceptionally self-motivated and self-directed
  • Exceptional customer service orientation. Ability to work with non-technically oriented end users. Appreciation of and sincere desire to work in a diverse, urban setting
  • Experienced in external outreach with potential vendors and collaborative partners
  • Excellent judgment, tact, empathy, patience, maturity, sense of humor    

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physically able to operate a variety of technical equipment such as computers, scanners, printers, and mobile devices; Ability to sit and use computer workstation, including keyboard and visual display terminal, for extended periods of time; Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work;  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:   Works in assigned area, including office areas, training rooms, library and city locations including outside venues as necessary; Normal office exposure to noise and interruptions. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.