Join the Words Alive Team

Employment Opportunities - Detailed Description

POSITION: Interim Read Aloud Program Manager

REPORTS TO: Program Director

STATUS: Temporary, Part-Time, Non-Exempt

HOURS: 20-24 hours a week, nights and weekends as needed.

DURATION: The role will begin January 2, 2023 and will last through the incumbent Program Manager’s parental leave. Current expectation is that that will be early April, but that will be updated as needed.

LOCATION: Office (based in San Diego); eligible for remote work as determined in coordination with supervisor

PAY: $24/hour. Consult the employee handbook about eligibility for benefits. Because it is a temporary position, benefits are limited.

SUPERVISES: Highly skilled volunteers and contractors, as appropriate.

WHO WE ARE: Words Alive connects children, teens, and families to the power of reading.  We serve at-risk students of all ages and their families throughout San Diego County. During the 2021-2022 academic year, we served 5,000 children, teens, and families facing extraordinary circumstances such as homelessness, poverty, foster care, abuse, juvenile justice system impact, and teen pregnancy.

WHO YOU ARE: Our ideal candidate:

  • Has program management experience in a nonprofit;

  • Is a whiz at organizing data, details, people, and information using spreadsheets, tracking tools, and does it all with a delightful personality;

  • Is seeking a temporary position at a mission-driven workplace that values efficiency, impact, flexibility, and growth;

  • Is willing to roll-up their sleeves to do the hard work, including a willingness to explore new opportunities and learn new skills;

  • Approaches their actions, words, and work with a focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility;

  • Is deeply motivated by the power of reading!

POSITION OVERVIEW: The temporary, Interim Read Aloud Program Manager will coordinate and support Words Alive’s work with 3,000+ students (preschool through 3rd) centered on mobilizing volunteers to cultivate curiosity and reading development in communities across the region. The Manager will work to ensure engaging programming, meaningful events, and valuable resources, while also providing exceptional support to volunteers and achieving measurable change (through a rigorous commitment to improvement, process, documentation, and reporting).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Delivery, Management, & Evaluation (50%)

  • Manage direct program delivery (in-person), trainings (virtual), and online resources.

  • Maintain updated program schedules and resource availability, including coordinating volunteer support for highest quality program delivery.

  • Coordinate program materials (e.g., books, journals, supplies), including preparing, bundling, delivering, and troubleshooting.

  • As needed, facilitate site visits to meet with teachers, volunteers, principals, and staff, as well as deliver materials.

  • Coordinate events, special visits, and activities to deepen students’ connection to text.

  • Administer regular program evaluations, collect data, compile, and distribute surveys to students, teachers, and volunteers.

  • Maintain data integrity, including data tracking and reporting

Volunteer Management (40%)

  • Ongoing and exceptional management of a large network of volunteers (90+), including team management, clear lines of ongoing communication and time tracking.

  • Support training of a robust and diverse cohort of volunteers.

  • Mitigate issues and address concerns from or related to volunteers.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

  • Support with organizational events, volunteer service events, and other partnership activities.

  • Coordinating and working with the intern(s), as appropriate.

EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

  • Experience (3+ years) working with youth in school-based or out-of-school settings; elementary education and/or administration; and/or experience in teacher or educator training.

  • Track record of supporting successful, engaging, and accessible child-centered programs and/or events.

  • Experience collaborating with community agencies, nonprofit partners, schools, and educational institutions.

  • Highly organized; proven project and people management skills.

  • Creative and inventive, with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a diverse variety of individuals and students. It is especially important that this candidate is a model of inclusion – sensitive to the needs and situations of children, volunteers, and families.

  • Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation, etc.); including authenticity in communication around our mission.

  • Self-starter who takes ownership of projects, with exceptional time management skills and ease in moving quickly through many priorities simultaneously.

  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate and build positive, strong relationships.

  • Comfort with numbers and data; willing to learn.

  • Optimistic, positive, welcoming, thoughtful, gratitude-driven, and professional demeanor.

  • Ability to respect and uphold confidentiality as required.

  • Unwavering commitment to the mission and population served.

Educational and Technical Expectations

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience.

  • Excellent computer skills and ability to use virtual platforms with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), remote working platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom, AirTable), online applications, and search engines.  

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proven success managing staff or volunteers serving various roles within an organization

  • Prior experience volunteering with or working for a literacy, education, or nonprofit organization

  • Lived experiences aligned with the organization’s mission, e.g., participation in Words Alive’s programming.

This position requires:

  • Ability to work on a computer and phone for at least 50% of the day.

  • Role includes in-office work. The office is on the second floor of a building with no elevator.  Reasonable accommodations will be made.

  • Ability to drive to and from meetings, activities, and events mostly in the metro San Diego area, but occasionally throughout Words Alive’s service area. Overnight travel is a rare possibility.

  • Available early mornings, evenings, and weekends to engage with key stakeholders as required. 

  • Able to lift 30 pounds regularly to transport books and program materials, including to/from our office. All staff support in receiving and delivering program supplies. Reasonable accommodations will be made, as necessary.

Words Alive Values & Culture
At Words Alive, our programs and impact made in the community are driven by our core values, which represent the motivation, dedication, and focus of our Words Alive staff and volunteers. Our values include:

  • Commitment: by pledging to make reading matter for everyone

  • Equitability: by working to level the playing field

  • Empowerment: by investing in lifelong learners

  • Responsiveness: by listening to community needs and developing innovative solutions

  • Collaboration: by partnering with the community

  • Connectedness: by creating a familial environment that includes all Words Alive participants and supporters

To Apply

Carefully review this job posting, expectations, compensation, and criteria to ensure it is a good fit.

Submit via email (only) to [email protected]:

1) a letter or introductory video sharing why you’d like to work with Words Alive and specifically what draws you to this role, and

2) a resume or summary of experiences qualifying you for this position.

Posting Date: November 15, 2022. Start Date: January 2, 2023