Instructional Support Program Coordinator (part-time, virtual)
Job Description
Supervisor: Kyesha Lewis, Manager, Program Operations
Start date: February 8
Commitment: February – June 2021, ~25 hours/week
Pay rate: $20 – $23/hour depending on experience
About Read Ahead
Read Ahead connects children from underserved communities with caring, trusted, consistent mentors in a fun, kid-friendly environment. Centered around the foundational experience of reading together, mentors give their mentees the confidence, motivation, and improved skills to succeed in school and in life. Read Ahead matches volunteers from over 30 partner organizations spanning various industries with students in grades 1-5 at partner New York City public elementary schools, facilitating weekly mentoring sessions throughout the school year. Read Ahead is committed to providing support and continued connection during this time of remote learning. During the 2020-2021 school year, Read Ahead will run a virtual program over Zoom.
Read Ahead provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status. We seek to build a diverse staff representative of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Position Overview
As a part of a dynamic and dedicated program team, the Program Coordinator is responsible for the management of Read Ahead at their assigned school. They act as an ambassador of Read Ahead and engage regularly with mentees, parents and caregivers, volunteer mentors, and school staff. The Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the virtual program runs smoothly, that mentors and mentees are supported throughout their mentoring experience, and that program goals are met. The Program Coordinator is responsible for critical administrative tasks, including scheduling, tracking attendance, and database entry.
Program Coordinators work approximately 25 hours per week, between 9:00-4:00, Monday-Friday. Occasional required meetings, training sessions, or other events may also take place outside of regular hours. The Program Coordinator position currently open works three days at P.S 67 in Brooklyn and one day at P.S 33 in Manhattan. Physical presence at school sites is not currently expected; this could change based on official guidance from the Department of Education and in discussion with Read Ahead and school leadership.
The ideal candidate is a flexible, proactive problem-solver with excellent relationship-building (especially with families), organizational, and communication skills. The role is a great fit for an individual who has an understanding of the New York City public school system and the communities we serve. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children, mentoring, reading, and/or volunteerism. Experience with using technology and a comfort and interest in learning new technology is a plus. Completion of a satisfactory criminal background check and DOE fingerprinting is required.
Responsibilities
- Facilitate, coordinate, and monitor 10-15 weekly Read Ahead mentoring sessions on Zoom with up to 25 participants
- Communicate effectively and regularly with key stakeholders, including parents/caregivers, volunteer mentors, and teachers/school staff
- Manage program technology and provide assistance to participants (i.e., Zoom and online reading platforms)
- Manage ~150 volunteer mentors, including ongoing communication
- Support ~100 mentees in grades 1-5 in their mentoring experience
- Provide ongoing support to mentors and mentees, including formal check-ins
- Enter and track program data in Read Ahead’s database in a timely manner with attention to detail
- Actively participate in team meetings, learning initiatives, and professional development
Qualifications
- Passion for Read Ahead’s mission
- Experience working with kids and their parents/caregivers, and a positive, growth-mindset approach to supporting children
- Experience with, or a strong interest in, volunteer management
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage time and deadlines effectively - Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with technology, and an openness to learning and using new tools (e.g.,email, video conferencing, cloud-based file management, and project management tools)
- High level of attention to detail
- Team player and contributor
- Ability to work and adapt in a fast-paced environment
- Interest in remote work with the ability to lead and monitor daily mentoring sessions remotely
