AmeriCorps Community Literacy Coordinator

INTERESTED APPLICANTS APPLY HERE: https://forms.office.com/r/xUUWRrRLGq

The Rural Iowa AmeriCorps Program (https://www.iowaeda.com/rural-iowa-americorps-program/), in partnership with Iowa Economic Development Authority's Center for Rural Revitalization, recognizes the needs of rural Iowa are community specific. Each community finds unique solutions to enhance the quality of life for their residents and visitors. AmeriCorps members will support quality programming and spaces that encourage people to live, work, play, and engage in vibrant rural places.

This position is a 30-week commitment, starting April 7, 2025, ending October 31, 2025. The individual will complete a minimum of 450 hours of service, serving an average of 15 hours per week. Member will serve between the hours of 9:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Member’s schedule will increase in intensity per week during the school year. Schedule adjustments may be made to include other days and times to accommodate host site needs and events.

The member will receive a living allowance totaling $6,075. In addition, successful completion earns an education award of $1,956 to apply to qualified student loans or education-related expenses. The member will have free and confidential access to a Member Assistance Program and will receive professional development opportunities throughout the service term.

The member will develop and implement literacy initiatives within the community, focusing on developing programs and events and cultivating partnerships with other organizations, and overseeing the delivery of literacy programs to adults and children in need, in partnership with local organizations like the library, schools, and community centers.

Community-Wide Literacy Program Development

• Research best practices and successful models of community literacy programs.
• Collaborate with host site staff and other organizations to set benchmarks for improvement and reporting of literacy rates, program/event participation, resource utilization will be shared with library staff and community partners over the duration of the project.
• Collaborate with library staff to design a comprehensive literacy program tailored to the needs of the Clarinda community.
• Plan and organize at least three community events and one workshop per to promote literacy. Details of possible events noted under Community Engagement & Outreach, below.
• Develop a budget needed to support literacy initiatives. (This does not involve fundraising activities.)

Resource Library

• Develop and maintain a resource library of literacy materials, including books, digital resources, and educational tools.
• Create and distribute promotional materials to raise awareness about literacy programs.
• Measure success by the usage rates of these resources and feedback from the community.

Partnership Building

• Establish and maintain partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community groups.
• Schedule regular in-person or virtual 1:1 meetings with key stakeholders to discuss collaboration opportunities and align on goals.
• Initiate contact through emails and follow-up phone calls to introduce the literacy program and explore potential partnerships.
• Provide partners with regular updates on program progress and outcomes through newsletters, social media or reports to maintain engagement
• Coordinate joint initiatives and events to enhance the reach and impact of literacy programs. Partner with local public or private schools to host at least one community reading event(s), such as Read Across Clarinda Day.
• Partner with schools and family organizations to host at least one literacy workshop for parents and children, focusing on reading strategies and resources in the home.
• Develop a method to gather feedback from those attending the events. Review, consolidate and report feedback to stakeholders.
• Represent the library and literacy program at community meetings and events.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Conduct outreach activities to engage community members and encourage participation in literacy programs. Present at local organizations and community groups about the Community Literacy Program (2-3 programs). Visit/Present at Public/Private Schools to staff and/or students about the program (2-4 programs). Present about the program at the School Boards, City, and Local Governments (2-3 programs). Provide Information on the program to social media and local media (2-3 articles).
• Develop and implement strategies to reach underserved populations and address barriers to literacy.
• Track event attendance and participant engagement to measure success.
• Develop a method to gather and review feedback from community members to improve and adapt literacy initiatives continuously.

Program Delivery & Oversight

• Coordinate with local schools, libraries, and community centers to schedule literacy programs. Measure success by the responsiveness and satisfaction of these groups, the number of partnerships formed, and the volume of materials distributed.
• Monitor the implementation of literacy programs and ensure they meet the set objectives. Aim for a measurable improvement in literacy rates over time.
• Collect and analyze data on program outcomes to measure success and identify areas for improvement.

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older by start date
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be in process of completion
• Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Must pass mandatory pre-service background checks

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $810.00 per month

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Clarinda, IA 51632 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Clarinda, IA 51632: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $810