SMART Reading

Do you want to work for an organization that makes a difference in the lives of children? 

Can you welcome and support volunteers to be part of a phenomenal statewide effort?

Then we invite you to come help make a difference at SMART Reading! We seek someone to support our Klamath Falls area office. The ideal candidate will have volunteer management and recruitment experience and can help maintain our programs and local office. 

SMART Reading is Oregon’s largest volunteer-based nonprofit literacy organization focused on the state’s youngest children. At SMART Reading, we believe that reading is the gateway to learning and opportunity for Oregon’s kids. For over 32 years, we’ve been mobilizing our statewide community to make a direct impact by connecting kids, books, and volunteers who understand that education creates a brighter future for all. Our model provides two essential ingredients for early literacy and learning success: shared reading time and access to books. Without those supports, it’s almost impossible to become an excited, confident reader, or be prepared for learning and success. By helping thousands of children build confidence, literacy skills, and a love of reading—right in our own neighborhoods—we can reduce the negative ripple effects of illiteracy and help children realize their full potential.

When you join SMART Reading, you join a team that shares your commitment to making this important work happen. Your position as a Program Manager for the Klamath Falls area will focus on leading a caseload of around 27 SMART Reading program sites; recruiting, training, and managing volunteers;  creating strong partnerships with schools;  and ensuring SMART Reading Program Standards are met.  

The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting children’s literacy, a strong commitment to equity, and strong relationship skills to support volunteer management and school community relations as you help build our volunteer base with ambitious goals for service and the number of students served. 

The Program Manager will be based out of our Klamath Falls office, reporting to the South Central Area Director. 

If this is you, please apply:

• Personal character, which guides the ethical practice of your work.
• Experience working in partnership with communities of color
• Well-organized and adaptable to changing conditions; self-starter and able to prioritize and multi-task across a range of activities
• Ability to recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate volunteers and build community partnerships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to represent the program and implement quality improvement and other program changes
• Ability and means to travel to the Klamath Falls office daily and SMART Klamath and Lake County sites routinely. (This service area extends from Chiloquin to Bly, Oregon)
• A sense of service and commitment to helping the children of Oregon learn to read
• Bonus: Bilingual, Spanish Speaking; bachelor’s degree

APPLICATION PROCESS

This is a temporary position, 20 hours a week,  scheduled to continue the program year in June. There is a possibility of a hybrid work schedule option. The position pays $20.00 an hour through an employment agency. There are no benefits.  

Please submit a resume and a cover letter addressing the following:

• Your experience working with volunteers
• Your experience working with schools or educational institutions
• Your ability to write clear instructions and coordinate meetings 

This position will remain open until filled, but to be considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Nov 29, 2024. We would like to have the selected candidate start as soon as possible. 

People of color, people living with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  

SMART’s Commitment to Equity  

As an early literacy program focused on helping children succeed with reading and learning, SMART  can’t ignore that deep racial, cultural, social, and economic inequities in our country and state make it harder for some children to succeed compared to others. SMART’s vision is an Oregon in which every child can read and is empowered to succeed, and we are making equity a top priority. As part of this,  we particularly seek staff members, volunteers, and board members whose personal or professional background gives them a unique perspective to further SMART’s work in serving children of color and children from other marginalized groups.