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 Lane, Linn, and Benton counties. The ideal candidate will have volunteer management and recruitment experience and can help maintain our programs and local Springfield 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.

If that’s you, here’s what we can offer:

• An important mission and purpose that affects the lives of kids throughout Oregon. SMART Reading engages volunteers to strengthen literacy skills and encourage a love of reading with preschool through eighth-grade students by reading one-on-one with students and restoring gently used children's books that will be given to kids
• A team of equally committed, passionate, and dedicated individuals.
• An opportunity to put your creativity and ideas to good use (We’ve got great systems but we’re always interested in improvement)
• A supportive and caring team
• An organizational culture that values team, plays to the strengths of its members, works to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, be an anti-racist force in the community, and is tirelessly devoted to serving “our kids” well
• A great compensation & benefits package with generous time off!

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 Springfield office on a regular basis and South Valley Area SMART sites as needed
• A sense of service and commitment to helping the children of Oregon learn to read
• Bilingual, Spanish Speaking preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required

Summary of Core Responsibilities:

• Manage SMART Reading program sites, including recruitment, training, and support of Volunteer Site Coordinators
• Lead volunteer Reader recruitment, recognition, and retention efforts
• Ensure program quality through training, regular reviews, and data collection
• Maintain strong communication with school personnel
• Manage volunteer records and reporting
• Process volunteer applications and school assignments
• Serve as primary contact for SMART Reading inquiries
• Oversee book ordering and inventory management
• Support Book Bank program implementation
• Maintain positive community relations
• Generate local support and awareness for SMART Reading
• Handle general office duties, including phone/email communication, document management, and supplies
• Maintain records and create reports
• Assist with budget management
• Attend required meetings and participate in organizational committees

Application Process: 

1) Please submit a resume and cover letter that tells us the following:

A. Specifically, state how you meet our description of an ideal candidate based on the requirements outlined above;
B. Your experience with and commitment to equity;
C. The relevant experience you offer 

2) This position will remain open until filled. We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled but will place priority on applications received by the end of the day, April 18, 2025.

3) Selected applicants will be invited to move forward to both virtual and in-person interviews. For our finalists, we will ask for 3 professional references, preferably from previous employers. We will want to verify employment history. 

4) Selected candidates will be required to complete a background check after notifying the applicant of our intent to make a job offer. 

This position requires the selected candidate to work in person in SMART Reading’s Springfield office Monday - Friday. 

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.

Important Note: People of color, people living with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome all applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. Selection for roles will be based on the best qualifications for the position. SMART Reading does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Annual Salary: $42,000 
• Café Benefit: $100 monthly (additional $1,200 annually)
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: $50 monthly (additional $600 annually)
• 401k Retirement: Employer match of up to 3% of your salary
• Paid Time Off/Vacation: Four weeks of paid time off every year. PTO is accumulated biweekly, totaling four weeks annually
• Personal Leave Days: Employees have 5 days a year to take care of personal obligations 
• Office Closures: Two paid weeks off - one in July and the second in December/January for employee rest and rejuvenation time (in addition to regular PTO) 
• Employer-paid Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and LTD premiums are 100% paid by SMART for the employee
• Paid Holidays: Nine paid holidays that can be used on scheduled holidays or as floating days used according to personal beliefs and obligations
• Paid Supplemental Medical Leave: Cumulated biweekly totaling two weeks annually, and carried over to earn up to eight weeks of medical leave

There’s more! A full benefit package outline will be provided if selected to interview.  

To learn more about SMART Reading, please visit www.smartreading.org