Duty Statement: Strong Reader Partnership Regional Community Engagement Coordinator

Purpose

Help 2.2 million 0–5 California children become book owners and book lovers as a Regional Community Engagement Coordinator of the Imagination Library of California Strong Reader Partnership nonprofit.

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Regional Community Engagement Coordinator will work closely with partners, volunteers, staff, and supporters in their assigned region, assisting in the development and sustainment of community programs with a focus on enrollment growth and financial stability.

Ensuring California’s youngest children become strong readers is the goal of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of California and the Imagination Library of California Strong Reader Partnership, a first of its kind nonprofit dedicated to getting books in the hands of every California child under 5 at no cost to their families.

This is a remote-centered position with periodic meetings in Sacramento and travel throughout with concentration on one of the four regions within California.

Local Program Partnership Development: 40%

Develops and makes presentations to community civic clubs, corporate supporters, and interested community partners to develop Local Program Partnerships and expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library throughout California. Leverages existing relationships and builds on interest in early literacy to expand enrollment. Researches new donor relationships including corporate support and individual major donors; works to cultivate relationships that can be converted to funding partnerships with local affiliates. Acts as project manager for special engagement projects and celebrations, which may include planning and coordinating multiple presentations-both in-person and virtual, disseminating information, coordinating meetings, and creating written and visual materials.

Partnership Management: 35%

Serves as a central point of contact for California Local Program Partners (affiliates) of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Engages with local affiliates to amplify local program awareness, communication and marketing, generates local outreach best practices, and provides input on marketing tools. Assists local program partners, county volunteers, and boards with developing efficient and innovative strategies around fundraising, program enrollment, and community/local government engagement. Develops strategies to remove barriers and enable local program partners to more easily support enrollment of California children in the Imagination Library, especially facilitating the enrollment of the most vulnerable children. Supports learning event development and programming for local program affiliates. May assist with, write, or edit grant proposals on behalf of affiliates.

Reporting: 15%

Assists the Executive Director with analysis and reporting on the regional enrollment, program costs (including comparisons to budget estimates), enrollment trends, investment performance, and funding of counties receiving matching funds in the region of responsibility. Assists with grant administration and grant reporting requirements. Contributes material for the annual Legislative report. Contributes to or files timely reports with other entities, including state reporting agencies, and maintains records for The Dollywood Foundation accordingly.

Other Duties: 5%

Other related duties may be assigned as directed by the Executive Director.

Skills/Knowledge

  • Demonstrates and uses excellent judgment and decision-making abilities throughout all job duties
  • Exercises creativity and flexibility in problem identification and resolution
  • Skilled in: Networking; Building Relationships; and Negotiation
  • Manages time and resources effectively; meets goals
  • Responds to the Executive Director and local program partner needs
  • Excellent organizational skills are needed; as is tact and good judgment when dealing with others, both locally and statewide
  • Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently; disciplined to meet deadlines
  • Ability to focus on the daily details while managing the overall scope of the job responsibilities
  • Ability to manage and resolve difficult or emotional situations
  • Excellent communicator via telephone, video conferencing and in person
  • Exceptional verbal and written English language skills; patience in responsiveness to repetitive questions. Articulate, speaks, and writes clearly and informatively, proofs work for spelling and grammar. Listens for knowledge and clarification
  • Responds promptly to requests for assistance. Responds well to questions
  • Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills
  • Works a varying schedule that may include nights, holidays, weekends, and occasional travel
  • Observe safety and security functions; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly; request assistance when necessary

Education/Experience

  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree
  • Community engagement experience, including the development of local community interest, interest groups, and the attraction, selection, enrollment and rollout of local programs; business development experience preferred
  • Experience in working with volunteer organizations across the region
  • Experience in working with governmental and public sector entities preferred
  • A demonstrated track record in building successful collaborations and partnerships across sectors is preferred; Client facing customer service experience, problem solving preferred
  • Experience working with multicultural and multilingual communities preferred
  • Demonstrating an understanding of early literacy is required
  • Must have strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Proven ability in project management; Highly organized with attention to detail
  • Proven work experience in developing and negotiating successful partnerships
  • Technologically and socially informed and connected. Considerable knowledge and expertise in working with G Suite, Microsoft Word, Video Conferencing, PowerPoint, and Excel; Comfort working with internet applications including social media
  • Dependable and suitable transportation with a license to drive automotive equipment. Must present a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance
  • Ability to work and manage out of the home office or on the road; Must be able to travel extensively within California

To Apply

Email: minquiries@merrimacintl.com