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 Rogue Valley (Josephine & Jackson) team. 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 31 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 Rogue Valley Area will focus on leading a caseload of around 26 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 relations.

The Program Manager will be based out of our Medford office, reporting to the Rogue Valley 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 Medford office daily and Rogue Valley Area SMART sites as needed
• A sense of service and commitment to helping the children of Oregon learn to read
• Bonus: Bilingual, Spanish Speaking; Bachelor’s Degree

APPLICATION PROCESS

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
• D. Your ability to work from the Medford office

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 25, 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 also 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 Medford 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: 

• Salary: $42,000 annual base salary
• 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