Description

Book Harvest—an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to providing books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community—is seeking a Spanish-English bilingual professional to maintain excellent relationships with our community of parents.

Job Type: Part-time; non-exempt; office and community-based in Durham, NC. Some administrative tasks may be completed either in the office or from home.

Compensation: $20 per hour 

To Apply: Apply online, or fill out a paper application: print from this link or pick up a copy at the Book Harvest Family Space. Solicitud de empleo en español disponible en este enlace, o en nuestro Family Space.

Priority Deadline: We are prioritizing applications from individuals associated with Book Harvest programs, with a priority deadline of Sunday, April 7. Regular application period will go until Sunday, April 21. Applications received after this date are not guaranteed review.

Position Overview

Our Parent Ambassador is a critical force for building community and family partnerships in Durham County, and a highly visible member of the Book Harvest team. They engage primarily with parents and caregivers in community spaces, helping us build a strong and supportive family network. The Parent Ambassador hosts formal and informal gatherings with other parents, supports programming in our Family Space, and assists with program evaluation. 

This is a permanent position, which requires 20 hours per week. The Parent Ambassador reports to the Family Engagement Manager and also works closely with other members of the School and Family Engagement team. The schedule of weekly hours is flexible and may be determined in collaboration with the Family Engagement Manager, and will include some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

The Parent Ambassador’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

Nurture the Parent-to-Parent Network (50%):

• Build relationships with the existing parent network, coordinate parent volunteers, and attend Family Advisory Board Meetings 
• Grow the Parent-to-Parent Network by engaging new parents. Delivering workshops and presentations, and pursuing new partnership opportunities with other family-serving entities
• Coordinate and host events at identified host sites, including 2-3 book provision events per week, transporting materials, set up and break down, and restocking
• Represent Book Harvest at PTA meetings and other Durham public school events
• Contribute to strategy for engaging with parents and caregivers in Durham and beyond

Family Space (25%):

• Cover shifts our public Family Space, providing excellent customer service in Spanish and English, assisting families in selecting books, and maintaining a clean and tidy environment
• Plan and deliver bilingual Storytime sessions for families
• Share our mission and vision in an enthusiastic, consistent, and knowledgeable way

Evaluation and Other Responsibilities (25%):

• Gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of the Parent-to-Parent Network
• Update tracking databases regularly, providing information for monthly reporting
• Generate reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Regularly update supervisor, attend weekly roundup meeting, and other organizational meetings as needed

Requirements

Qualifications

• U.S. work authorization;
• Bilingual in Spanish and English, both oral and written, with the ability to provide translation services;
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail;
• Clear written and spoken communication skills;
• Experience with Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms, or Microsoft equivalents;
• Lived experience of literacy injustice (direct experience with Book Harvest programs is a plus!);
• Experience with various parent networks within Durham communities;
• Highly collaborative; talented in forging relationships with diverse individuals;
• Adaptability, creative problem-solving, and eagerness for personal growth;
• Dedication to the mission and culture of Book Harvest;
• Cultural competence and understanding of the systemic nature of inequity; 
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to provide own transportation to fulfill job responsibilities (mileage reimbursements will be provided);
• Able to transport and unload full boxes of books (up to 65 lbs.) and remain stationary for extended periods;
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots up to date (this is a requirement subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Book Harvest is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity, certified Living Wage, and certified Family Forward employer.

Book Harvest complies with federal and state disability laws, including all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Book Harvest will not discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant with regard to any terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s disability or perceived disability. Book Harvest will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, or another medical condition who has made Book Harvest aware of their limitation, provided that such accommodation does not constitute an undue hardship for Book Harvest. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@bookharvest.org.

Book Harvest is committed to protecting children through its child safeguarding policies. All offers of employment at Book Harvest are contingent upon acceptable results of a thorough background check. Staff are held to high standards of child protection. 

To protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate, we follow CDC, federal, and local guidance to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Book Harvest requires that all employees be fully vaccinated and bivalent boosted against COVID-19, except as required by law. Any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are fully vaccinated from COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law.