Manager, Social Health Programs

The New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A major public library system in New York is seeking a Manager for Social Health Programs. This role involves managing community programs focused on health and wellness and overseeing the Social Work Intern program. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and at least 5 years of experience in relevant environments. Strong project management, communication skills, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships are essential. This includes supporting student interns and enhancing community service delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in an urban public library or social work provider environment.
• Established professional network within the social services sector.
• Strong project planning and evaluation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage program placing social work student interns in library branches.
• Ensure effective communication for community health programs.
• Develop relationships with external stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Cultural sensitivity

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Job description

Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 / year

Department: Public Programs
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Overview

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is looking for a professional and highly organized person to manage the development and implementation of community programs and services in neighborhood branches across NYPL’s service areas in The Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. This new position will manage the library’s growing portfolio of community health and wellness programs for adults and includes a key focus on managing the library’s Social Work Student Intern program. NYPL’s Social Work student Intern program is a partnership with various universities and colleges that places Masters of Social Work (MSW) students in branches across the city to provide patrons with referrals to connect them with essential social services and support. The Manager, Social Health Programs will become an essential member of the Adult Education Services team, and will work directly with central support teams, branch staff, student social work interns, universities, and other community partner organizations to deliver quality services to library patrons.

What we’re looking for

Own

• The development and implementation of community programs and services in neighborhood branches across NYPL’s service areas.
• Day-to-day operational needs and logistics of the Social Work Student Intern Program, including coordinating student placements and onboarding.
• The management of relationships with key external stakeholders, including establishing and maintaining affiliation agreements with educational institutions and community partners.

Teach

• Student interns and school course/field advisors on appropriate learning objectives and activities in the public library environment.
• Interns, branch staff, and other adult service departments through regular cohort meetings and training.
• Interns and branch staff NYPL goals/objectives and key programs like ESOL, TechConnect, and Career Services.

Learn

• NYPL’s vision and goals, its role in the community, and the wide range of services and programs available.
• Trauma-informed approaches to supporting patrons within a library context and in relation to community health and wellness.
• The wide range of social services and supports available in NYC to assist people with mental health, housing support, and other social needs.

Improve

• The process for regular program metrics monitoring, review, evaluation, and assessment.
• The development of a robust, evidence-based Social Health Programs Plan that includes planning for programmatic growth and new opportunities for program development.
• Internal relationships, traveling to branches to provide program support and learn about the impact and needs of existing programs within specific communities.

Timeline Expectations

1 month

• Have a well-developed understanding of the NYPL’s vision and goals, its role in the community and the wide range of services and programs available.
• Have developed a stakeholder management and support plan for the Student Social Work Program.

3 months

• Confidently manage the day-to-day operational needs of the Social Work Intern Program and other programming responsibilities.
• Have developed key internal and external stakeholder relationships.

6 months and beyond

• Have developed a robust, evidence-based Social Health Programs Plan that includes planning for programmatic growth and new opportunities for program development in key outreach communities.

Responsibilities

• Manage an annual program placing social work student interns in library branches to connect patrons to vital resources (housing, health, social benefits, community resources).
• Support, vet, and ensure effective communication for key initiatives, programs, and partnerships related to community health and wellness.
• Coordinate student placements, onboarding, and provide support to NYPL branch managers, including outreach and event tabling.
• Manage external relationships, establishing and maintaining necessary agreements (affiliation agreements with educational institutions, community organizations, service providers, and government agencies).
• Develop strong internal relationships with library staff, traveling to branches to provide program information, support, and learn about community needs.
• Advise student interns and school field advisors on appropriate learning objectives and activities within the public library context, ensuring awareness of NYPL goals/objectives and key programs (e.g., ESOL, TechConnect, Career Services).
• Provide collaboration and learning opportunities for interns, branch staff, and other adult service departments through regular cohort meetings and training led by internal and external experts (e.g., de‑scalation skills, Understanding Homelessness and Resources).
• Ensure organizational goals are met by introducing and overseeing a process for regular program metrics monitoring, review, evaluation, and assessment.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required

Required Experience

• 5+ years of experience in an urban public library or social work provider environment that includes successful project and stakeholder management experience
• Established professional network within the social services sector

Required Skills

• Demonstrated respect and sensitivity toward diverse cultures, and experience working with people across a range of cultural backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrated knowledge of the wide range of social services and supports available in NYC to support people with mental health, housing support, and other social needs
• Ability to manage complex relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent project management skills that includes strong project planning and evaluation skills

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• The position supports social work interns in student placements at the library. Student placements are part of required coursework (unpaid), and the interns receive coursework and field supervision from partnering colleges.

More

Core Values

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting
• Branch and research libraries
• Neighborhood organizations

Physical Duties

• Limited physical effort is required
• Frequent travel within NYC required

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

• No

Union/Non Union

• Non-Union

FLSA Status

• Exempt

Schedule

• 35 hours per week
• Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm, with occasional evening or weekend hours as needed.

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

©2026 The New York Public Library. The Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and to make a decision consistent with its policies. All positions are subject to background screening and employment verification.