Program Coordinator - Reading Buddy Program

Key Objectives for success:

• Volunteer Training & Coordination
  • Recruit, train, and engage volunteers and ensure organizational standards of excellence for the volunteer experience are upheld within the Reading Buddy Program.
• Community Partnership Engagement
  • Support collaboration with external organizations and promote the program’s visibility and impact in the community.
• Program Operations Support
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Reading Buddy Program, ensuring it runs efficiently and within budget, while meeting organizational priorities and intended outcomes.

Essential Functions:

• Volunteer Training & Coordination
  
  • Collaborate with the Program Director and Advancement team to develop a recruitment plan for new volunteers
  • Actively recruit volunteers by presenting to community groups and church groups
  • Develop handouts that are clear and concise to recruit volunteers
  • Collaborate with the Volunteer Engagement Team to onboard volunteers through orientation and guide volunteers through the background check process at each school district
  • Plan and execute high-quality annual trainings for both new and returning Reading Buddy volunteers
  • Present professionally and respectfully to experienced adults, making clear and attractive handouts and presentations
  • Place all Reading Buddy volunteers with teachers in a timely fashion, taking volunteer preference and availability into consideration
  • Plan and execute monthly volunteer continuing education meetings, social events, and biannual book fairs
  • Schedule subject area experts for volunteer training and continuing education
  • Plan formal and ongoing recognition of volunteers, organizations, and individuals who have contributed to the support of the Reading Buddy Program
  • Send out monthly email updates to keep volunteers engaged and informed
• Resource Management
  • Research educational best practices and evaluate Reading Buddy resources considering current research
  • Curate volunteer materials and resources that align with state and local literacy standards
  • Oversee inventory of Reading Buddy supplies and assembly of resource binders and bags
  • Assist Program Director in purchasing curriculum supplies
  • Manage Reading Buddy library of books and games
• Community and Partnership Engagement
  • Assist the Program Director in developing and maintaining partnerships with local schools and organizations that offer program support
  • Engage volunteers in storytelling and communicate the CCO Reading Buddy story internally and externally
  • Ensure that the program and volunteers meet requirements of each school district’s Memorandum of Understanding
• Program Operations Support
  • Ensure that volunteer hours are complete and accurate each month
  • Collect and compile internal and external data and provide documentation for necessary reports and program evaluation
  • Assist the Math & Reading Buddy Director in creating program and volunteer surveys
  • Assist Program Director in developing impact report for each Reading Buddy school
  • Compile survey data and present in visual format
  • Assist with grant writing and reporting as needed
  
  

Physical context and work environment:

Other Duties:

The statements herein describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of essential functions and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Work Hours:

CCO offers flexible scheduling options for staff, allowing them to choose between a typical Monday through Friday schedule with five eight-hour days or a modified schedule with four nine-hour days and a half-day on Fridays. Occasionally, program needs may require different schedules, including evening or weekend hours. Supervisors will regularly discuss schedules to ensure coverage of program needs, and employees must always obtain prior approval from their supervisor to change their schedule.

Mission:

Staff members are expected to positively reflect the mission of Crosslines Community Outreach—to improve the quality of life in our region through compassionate service and outreach to our most vulnerable neighbors, by doing together what can best be done together in the name of Jesus Christ.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, a degree in education or a related field is preferred.

• Experience in education is preferred.

• Experience supervising volunteers is preferred.

• At all times, this individual must strive for improvement and growth—personally, professionally, and for the services they manage.

• Applicants should have exceptional multi-tasking skills and be highly organized.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service, be an enthusiastic professional, and be able to build relationships with CCO staff, community partners, donors, and volunteers

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, proof reading, and public speaking.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, working with a variety of staff and volunteers.

• Ability to direct others, have excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone, always displaying a high level of professionalism.

• Ability to accomplish projects with little supervision and on a deadline.

• High proficiency using computers, including Windows operating systems and the Microsoft Office software suite.

Applicant must successfully complete drug screening, background investigation, and driver record check.

Applicant must become an approved volunteer in Springfield Public Schools and complete background checks required by the school district.

Must ensure that the confidentiality of children served is maintained as required by law.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Crosslines Community Outreach is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability status of qualified individuals.

The Program Coordinator will manage daily operations of the Reading Buddy Program—an outreach of Crosslines Community Outreach (CCO). The Program Coordinator must be able to anticipate program needs, discern work priorities, meet deadlines with little supervision, and work collaboratively with program staff, volunteers, and community partners. To be successful, this individual must be highly organized & detail oriented, a natural problem solver, an exceptional multitasker, derive joy and energy from seeing tasks through to completion, and have excellent communication & interpersonal skills.