Books for Kids Coordinator

Position Overview:

Under the general supervision of Volunteer and Community Relations Manager, the Books for Kids Coordinator works collaboratively within the Development Department to ensure children and families are connected with literacy resources and develop a love of reading. This position will work collaboratively with the Books for Kids team, volunteers supporting Books for Kids, facilitate the collection and distribution of donated books and drives at Next Door. This person will maintain and build positive relationships with corporate organizations, schools, churches and other community partners for donor solicitation and volunteer coordination. The Books for Kids Coordinator will also support the Next Door Child Care Partnerships program, Home Based program, and teaching staff by coordinating the development and implementation of the Read with Me, literacy initiatives and special reading events.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

• Assist in the development and execution of the Next Door strategic plan.
• Collaboratively set program goals to expand and implement Books for Kids at all Next Door locations and partners. This includes, but is not limited to: Read with Me, Home Base Socializations, Community Library and Mobile Library.
• Assist Development Team with annual Read for Children event.
• Collaborate with program directors, managers and coordinators to create schedules for programming.
• Create and maintains the volunteer sign up application for Books for Kids programs.
• Train and supervise volunteers that are assigned to volunteer in the Books for Kids program in the areas of repairing, counting, sorting, shelving books, literacy events, and reading to young children.
• Communicate volunteer duties to those supervised and send thank you notes to the volunteers weekly.
• Coordinate the policy for accepting donations, assigning in kind value, and reporting to program managers, Fiscal and Development on a monthly basis.
• Promote and maintain book drive efforts and Amazon wishlists.
• With the support of the Literacy Program Specialist, coordinate the distribution of books with teachers, parent educators, parents, and community partners through the Community Library at 29th Street, the Mobile Library visits, packed orders and other Next Door sites.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community and represent Next Door in community meetings, professional organizations and various recruitment sources regarding Books for Kids and Read with Me programs.
• Participates in recruitment efforts and retention strategies as necessary to provide an adequate flow of volunteer candidates.
• Presents to organizations, corporations and community groups as needed.
• Run direct programming of Read with Me at the 29th st location, Thursday Community Library, quarterly literacy events, mobile library events and more.
• Compiles statistical data and assists in maintaining Books for Kids database records; develop monthly reports on programs and reports to stakeholders.
• As funds allow, purchase quality children's literature for Next Door students.
• Assist the Volunteer and Community Relations Manager with promotion, processing and distributing materials from other Next Door Drives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Accountability and Performance Requirement:

All staff members are accountable for knowing and performing the responsibilities associated with their individual position in an efficient and effective manner, understanding that each of us plays an integral role in the success of our mission. All staff will support the agency mission, vision, standards of conduct/code of ethics and strategic directions and support administrative decisions. This must demonstrated by maintaining a positive work environment, and by behaving and communicating in an appropriate manner with children, families, coworkers, supervisors and the public while achieving performance expectations.

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, Early Literacy, or related field preferred.
• Expertise in selecting quality children's literature.
• A knowledge of volunteer program management is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse groups and low-income families.
• Must be willing to have a Tuberculosis Skin Test at the time of hire.
• The incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance with liability limits of $300,000 (bodily injury) and $25,000 (property damage for each occurrence).
• Ability to effectively communicate with Next Door staff to assess literacy support needs.
• Strong desire to serve young children and families from diverse cultures, economic and social situations.
• Self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills and database management.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member.
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment with both internal and external partners.
• Ability to efficiently coordinate, track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively internally and externally, with peer and executive levels, and with community partners and volunteers.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends for events.