OVERVIEW
Literations envisions a day when all students, regardless of zip code, enter the fifth grade as proficient readers poised for academic success. Our mission is driving educational equity through experienced community volunteers empowering young readers for lifelong learning. We serve communities where opportunity gaps exist to ensure all students have the resources to become literacy proficient. Our experienced community volunteers are matched 1:1 with early elementary students from one of our 15 partners. These pairs meet weekly throughout the school year to accelerate students’ reading growth. Our highly-effective programming annually supports over 500 children to help them succeed in school and beyond. Literations is an affiliate of AARP Foundation Experience Corps, a national leader in engaging older adult volunteer coaches to improve grade 1-4 student literacy.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF POSITION
The Outreach Coordinator, under the supervision of the Deputy Director, is responsible for recruiting new volunteers in Boston to serve as Literacy Coaches. The Outreach Coordinator will build relationships with community partners and influencers, attend community events, conduct information sessions, and promote Literations volunteer opportunities online and in-person, with an immediate emphasis in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. Willingness to work occasional evenings and/or weekends to represent Literations at community events as needed
The Outreach Coordinator is part of the Recruitment and Training Team and will work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and the Training Specialist. They will also interface regularly with Literations’s Operations and Program Teams.
Ideal candidates should have a strong commitment and drive for deep and robust community engagement and feel comfortable exploring and navigating various communities and environments. Successful candidates will feel excited about the opportunity to develop and deepen community relationships and partnerships.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Goal Setting and Planning
- In collaboration with the Deputy Director, Recruitment and Program Departments, set annual goals for number of events, inquiries, attendees at events, and applicants by site that align with overall programmatic needs
- In collaboration with the Deputy Director, develop outreach plan for recruitment methods and timing of outreach within distinct communities in order to reach annual goals
Establish Sources
- Review historic outreach efforts and determine most successful sources for recruiting new volunteers as well as underutilized and/or untapped sources
- Conduct community/neighborhood audits in order to determine locations, organizations, community influencers that can serve as volunteer sources
Relationship Building
- Conduct outreach and establish/grow relationships with community organizations and influencers; and develop strategies for utilizing existing and growing network as sources for prospective volunteers
- Manage relationship with AARP Massachusetts to support ongoing outreach efforts
Outreach
- In partnership with Literations Marketing VISTA, create a schedule of social media outreach and develop engaging promotional materials to use for online and in-person outreach opportunities
- Publicize information sessions and volunteer opportunities online and in communities
- Research and attend community events, schedule and conduct in-community information sessions
- Develop and manage a Volunteer Ambassador program to engage existing volunteers in Literations’s recruitment efforts
- Manage Literations Active-ation Program by creating and executing a social, educational, and recruitment-based calendar of events based on volunteer interests in order to support both volunteer retention and recruitment needs
- Past events include coffee hours, fireside chats with external specialists, technology workshops, yoga sessions, etc.
Customer Service
- Utilize Literations’s Applicant Tracking System (Breezy HR) to monitor, track, and provide top-quality customer service to prospects until they convert to applicants
- Support the Recruitment Team with 2-3 hours of applicant interviews per week, depending upon time of year
Other
- Prepare monthly outreach reports, attend regular recruitment and staff meeting, collaborate with recruitment, operations, and program teams as needed
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong familiarity with Boston neighborhoods and communities (resident preferred)
- Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, and customer service skills
- Current and valid driver's license and regular access to a vehicle is essential for this role
- Experience with community organizing and/or engagement
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and/or weekends to represent Literations at community events as needed
- Ability to work productively with a diverse group of community stakeholders, volunteers, and staff and an appreciation for working with older adults and intergenerational work
- Patience, flexibility, a sense of humor, and creativity and initiative when solving problems
- Strong technology skills, including basic knowledge of email and Zoom and the willingness to learn new systems
- Reliable wifi/internet access
- Bi/multilingual a plus
HOURS AND COMPENSATION
This is a non-exempt, hourly (20-25 hours/week) position, with a starting range of $23-$27/hour. While Literations practices a hybrid work model, this position will be heavily community and in-person focused within Boston and Boston neighborhoods. Benefits include monthly travel allotment, access to a 403b retirement plan (includes an employer match of up to 2%), hybrid work schedule, generous personal time, and a supportive working environment.
You can learn more about Literations by visiting www.literations.org.
Literations is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating and supporting a diverse work environment. Candidates of color, bi-/multilingual, bicultural, and LGBTQIA+ are strongly encouraged to apply.