Reading Corps Now Hiring

Minnesota Reading Corps is a program that is working to ensure that all Minnesota children are on track to read by the end of 3^rd grade. We do this by training and placing AmeriCorps members in elementary and preschool settings across Minnesota. Now we are poised to draw greater community involvement into teaching all of Itasca County's young people to read. To harness the power of community we need a volunteer coordinator.

Number of openings: 1

Position name: Volunteer Coordinator

Employment type: Full time

Employment start date: August 9, 2010

Employment end date: June 30, 2011

Location: Grand Rapids

By joining MRC, you’ll not only make a difference in children’s lives, but the training and experience you gain will benefit your own career. This is a chance to do your part in building our communities while gaining real responsibility, learning professional communication and other valuable career skills.

Learn more at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org

Contacts: Kari Gjerde, at kgjerde@theMLC.org

Jaci David, at jdavid@theMLC.org

Application instructions: Apply online at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Interview and selection is a rolling process, and the majority of positions will be filled by early July, 2010.

Description of position

Build your career skills and professional network by being part of a successful program that will help keep 18,000 Minnesota kids from falling behind. Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC) is an AmeriCorps program that is helping improve literacy skills among our youngest generation. Volunteer Coordinators are needed to recruit and manage community volunteers to provide services at local schools Learn more at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org.

As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will host a minimum of six literacy events held either in school or at community sites. The purpose of these events is to promote literacy to kids, get kids excited to read and connect and engage community partners to the literacy efforts of the site.

You will recruit, train and support community volunteers who provide one-to-one tutoring using Minnesota Reading Corps’ research-based reading strategies. Focus will be placed on tutoring children who are on the waiting lists to receive Reading Corps services or children who have exited the program to ensure their skills are sustained.

By serving as a Volunteer Coordinator with Minnesota Reading Corps, you will build skills and a professional network critical to any career, especially in the nonprofit sector. In addition to recruiting and managing literacy volunteers and their schedules, you will establish relationships with school staff and community partners.

Skills needed for the volunteer coordinator role include: interest in education, strong networking and collaboration skills, comfort with public speaking, self-starter, proven ability to lead and take initiative.

Why join? You can be part of a successful organization that is helping children succeed in school, and gain professional experience at the same time. By serving for one year with Minnesota Reading Corps, you will build career skills, real responsibility and network with professionals. You will receive free health care coverage, federal loan deferment, a biweekly stipend of $490 and an education award of $5,350.

Are you up for the challenge? Online application is available on www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Positions for the 2010-11 program year begin in August. Contact Anna with questions at apeters@theMLC.org or 651-251-9075.

Minnesota Reading Corps is committed to the inclusion of all individuals regardless of disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.

Qualifications

Strong interest in education, specifically helping young children learn to read.

Experience working with children and / or volunteers, preferably in a literacy-related capacity.

Dedication to community service.

Computer skills, including the ability to navigate and use online database systems and e-mail.

Responsible, organized, flexible, motivated, professional.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Ability to make a commitment to complete 11 months of service (August ’10 - June 30, 2011).

High school diploma or GED and must be at least 18-years-old.

U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien.

Preferred: College coursework, college degree, or equivalent work experience