Community Assistant - positions available in MI and WI

Position Summary

Working from August to May each year, the GSNWGL Community Assistant will work within their rural communities in our council footprint to provide local Girl Scout support. They will be responsible for leading four key Service Area volunteer meetings per year, hosting local recruitment events for interested families, and increasing visibility within their communities. They will receive a pre-determined stipend for each assigned and completed task and will be eligible for business-related mileage reimbursement.

The Community Assistant position is part-time casual, working an average of 10 hours per month per service area, from August to May each year. The available service areas include:

Upper Peninsula of Michigan:

• Eastern UP
• Manistique
• Pendoga
• Trillium
• Iron Range
• Ke-Bay
• Porcupine Mountains
• Portage
• Delta Bay
• Marquette-Gwinn
• Northern Lights Michigan
• Hiawatha Michigan

Wisconsin:

• Northwoods
• Lakeland
• Northern Lights

Key Responsibilities

• Service Area Leader Meetings
  • The Community Assistant (CA) will attend four local service area leader/service team meetings per year as a council representative, delivering information to area troop leaders and volunteers. Before the meeting, the CA will work with the council's Mission Delivery staff to review the meeting materials. Afterward, they will check in with Mission Delivery staff to share any feedback or questions that were raised. These meetings typically include:
    • an annual kick-off “Idea-fest” event in August,
    • a cookie training-themed meeting in January,
    • a leader appreciation event in April or May,
    • and a planning meeting (often just for service team members) sometime in spring or summer.
• Back-to-School Open Houses
  • The CA will host booths at local elementary schools' back-to-school open house nights to let families know about Girl Scout opportunities, try a simple game or activity, and sign up for information on joining and/or volunteering. The CA will talk with people, share information, and collect interest cards with contact information and enter them into an online system. GSNWGL will provide all handouts, activities, contact cards, and display items.
• Recruitment Events
  • The CA will lead Girl Scout recruitment events, where families can sample Girl Scout activities and learn about joining, volunteering, and forming troops. GSNWGL will provide the outline, supplies, and talking points for the event. The CA will work with the Northeast Community Engagement Manager to set up and market events and request materials and flyers. After the event, the CA will enter participant contact info and pass on follow-up to staff. In most areas, one event is offered at each school in the fall. For larger schools, an additional event is offered in the spring.
• Community Events
  • The CA may represent Girl Scouts at fairs, family festivals, and Trunk-or-Treats in the communities they serve. They host Girl Scout information booths and lead quick, fun sample activities such as games or crafts. Typically, a CA will host 1-4 community events per year.
• Community Visibility
  • The Community Assistant will help increase awareness of Girl Scout opportunities within their local area. This includes posting Girl Scout information about upcoming events, troop opportunities, camp, etc., on local social media groups, and placing posters, yard signs, and brochures at community sites.

Competencies and Areas of Expertise

• Oral and Written Communication - whether in person, verbal, or written, expresses ideas and facts in a clear and understandable manner appropriate for the individual or group; listens to and comprehends what others are saying; prepares organized and structured presentations; demonstrates the ability to work with a wide range of sensitive and confidential issues and communicate effectively with a diverse group of girls, volunteers, and staff.
• Technical computer skills in social networking.
• Judgment and Decision-Making - recognizes when immediate action is required; makes decisions where appropriate or refers decisions to the appropriate organizational level.
• Sales Ambition and Drive – understands sales and management of leads. Recognizes opportunities to “close” and demonstrates the ability to ask for the business/customer transaction. A self-starter who takes initiative and can work independently with minimal oversight.
• Marketing Knowledge – comfort in presenting the value behind solutions in a way that resonates with what is most important to the potential members/customers of the organization.
• Team-Building - collaborates with others to create optimal solutions; fosters a commitment to a team approach to work; promotes partnerships between teams; collaboratively defines boundaries and outcomes of work responsibilities; shares information with others.

Qualifications

• Prior Girl Scout experience as a girl or an adult is a plus.
• Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
• Excellent relationship-building, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational habits and self-motivation.
• Willingness to work in schools, outdoors, and community spaces.
• Flexible schedule with regular evening and weekend commitments.

Expectations

• Commitment to the Girl Scout mission and values.
• Ability to connect and build trust with people from all backgrounds and communities.
• Strong understanding of or willingness to learn the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
• Must be (or become) a registered Girl Scout member.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and stand for long periods during events.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and a willingness to travel regularly throughout their assigned local communities. 

Our Culture

Our employees and members make up the heart and soul of GSNWGL. We are intentional about who we hire.  As a small non-profit, we value innovation and depend on the collaboration of our council. There are numerous ways for one to grow personally and professionally within Girl Scouting.

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from people of any race, gender, age, or religion, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, veterans, and anyone who wishes to make a positive impact on our movement.

* Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Inc. employment requires membership in the Girl Scout movement.