AmeriCorps Program Manager - Oakland - Reading Partners

Description

Reading Partners is changing the education landscape. We are a leader in working to solve the literacy crisis in our country by leveraging community volunteers in under-resourced schools. Our diverse and expansive volunteer base provides one-on-one tutoring to students twice weekly, and our program is proven to help children master the reading fundamentals they need to unlock their potential as successful, happy, and confident readers in school and in life. Our people are our heartbeat and our greatest resource; we are all passionately rallied around our mission to help children become lifelong learners by empowering communities to provide individualized instruction that truly works. Join our stellar, committed team leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our service. Watch this video to learn more about the mission and core tutoring work of Reading Partners.

The high level:

Reading Partners' AmeriCorps Program Manager (ACPM) serves as a key member of the national AmeriCorps team, which works collaboratively to empower our members and staff in support of Reading Partners' mission. Each year, our AmeriCorps program recruits and supports more than 200 members who commit to a transformative year of service.

The AmeriCorps Program Manager is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven, proactive professional who is passionate about National Service and eager to deepen their expertise in AmeriCorps grant management, policy guidance, and program development. In this role, the ACPM:

• Provides ongoing guidance on AmeriCorps and Reading Partners policies to a designated portfolio of regions and members, ensuring consistent, compliant, and positive member experiences nationwide.
• Serves as the primary program contact for an assigned AmeriCorps grant, supporting all aspects of grant implementation, compliance, and relationship management.
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of Reading Partners' AmeriCorps program, helping to refine systems, strengthen training, and enhance member support.

Reporting to the Senior AmeriCorps Program Manager, Member Experience, the ACPM will collaborate closely with a high-impact, highly supportive national AmeriCorps team, working alongside internal and external partners to sustain and grow a strong, thriving service program.

This position is remote, and hires (upon start date) should reside within states where Reading Partners operates, which include: California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Washington State, and Virginia.

What you'll do:

AmeriCorps Grant Management

• Partner with Reading Partners regions to ensure high quality grants management.
• Manage all programmatic aspects of AmeriCorps grant funding for designated portfolios, including all contracting requirements, creation and submission of accurate and timely progress reports, site visits and/or audits, and provide support for financial reporting as needed. Some support for non-portfolio grants may be required.
• Maintain member files for designated portfolio in compliance with AmeriCorps & state commission regulations
• Manage relationships with all funders in designated portfolios, relaying pertinent information to all parties including regions, the national AmeriCorps department, Accounting, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Assess overall grants management practices on a regular basis and provide suggestions for improvement.

Member Support

• Supports managers in member performance management, including goal setting and reviews, while collaborating with national teams to align processes and enhance team engagement.
• Support regions with National Days of Service & develop national strategy for National Days of Service
• Develop & facilitate AmeriCorps training for staff related to effective compliant management of the AmeriCorps program.
• Provide coaching and support to both AmeriCorps members and staff by mediating conflict resolution meetings between members and managers as needed.
• Work with the National Program & Community Engagement teams to develop recruitment, on-boarding, training and orientation processes for AmeriCorps members.
• Support the development and implementation around all member communications such as monthly calls, newsletter content, blog posts etc.
• Provide resources and answers regarding all AmeriCorps related questions throughout the year.
• Manage content for organizational databases and communication platforms to ensure it is up to date and relevant.
• Supporting and improving of the AmeriCorps member experience at Reading Partners.

Partner with AmeriCorps team colleagues and other business partners

• Support regions and national AmeriCorps team with national service advocacy goals.
• Build relationships across the national service sector with AmeriCorps affiliates and groups who will yield opportunities for Reading Partners and our AmeriCorps members.
• Represent the AmeriCorps department on national and regional check-in calls as needed.
• Coordinate with the national AmeriCorps team to determine attendance at (or coordinate regional representation for) required AmeriCorps state and federal meetings including all relevant commission events (calls, events, conferences etc.).
• As needed, provide administrative support to the AmeriCorps team with member recruitment, admissions, on-boarding, and off-boarding.
• On an annual basis, collaborate with the AmeriCorps team to review and draft new organizational policies and publish updated handbooks/manuals.
• Participate in AmeriCorps department weekly meetings, scheduled retreats, and team building activities. Some facilitation may be required.

Adapt to and Implement Initiatives in response to organizational and federal changes

• Act as the first line of support and lead on member grievance resolution for the organization
• Supports additional team functions as needed, including the identification and execution of special projects related to departmental priorities and goals.

How you'll do it:

Drive for Results:

• Demonstrated aptitude for creating and completing projects quickly and accurately inline with all stated deadlines. Strong ability to prioritize, streamline, and design scalable systems. High degree of comfort and hunger in seeking out continual improvement for all systems, processes, and approach. Personal leadership and accountability - able to hold yourself accountable first and foremost.

Relationship Development:

• Ability to cultivate and leverage strong relationships both locally and remotely. Proven track record in providing great client service experiences, solving problems, and communicating effectively with all internal and external stakeholders. Develop close partnerships with Payroll department, all members of the AmeriCorps team, the Talent team, benefits partners, and regional stakeholders to provide top tier service for Reading Partners staff and AmeriCorps/Vista Members.

Project Management:

• Strong skill set in effectively leading an initiative with many stakeholders to fruition in a timely manner. Ability to motivate people with competing priorities toward a goal. Ability to take personal initiative and execute on key priorities.

Organization:

• A passion for details, collaboration, and working with others and independently to problem solve. Ability to execute details quickly and to communicate effectively to a wide group of stakeholders. Professional organization and prioritization skills - can take a list of tasks and get them done.

Communication:

• Strong aptitude for effective communication remotely and in-person with internal and external partnerships. Ability to set up successful systems for communication and messaging, tailor communication to audiences, and break down complex topics for a variety of audiences. High competency with written communication.

Approach:

• Maintains a strong sense of calm during peak periods. Ability to rally others to achieve organizational goals. Strong ability to assess and address sensitive situations. A sense of humor. A desire to achieve constant improvement in all you do. A strong leader in cultivating a team environment.

What We Offer:

Reading Partners' compensation and benefits programs are designed to attract, motivate, engage, and retain top talent to propel our mission forward.

Compensation: This is a full-time, exempt, and salaried position. The pay range for this position is $71,353 - $83,945 per year. We aim to set salaries based on objective, external, high-quality market data. Our salaries are adjusted for candidates in different geographic regions. We do our very best to ensure that we're bringing our best offer - therefore we do not engage in salary negotiations.

Our benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits program intentionally crafted to support employees and their families with physical, mental, and financial health:

• Health & Insurance Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with substantial employer contributions toward both employee and family premiums; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Pre-Tax Medical Support: Significant pre-tax employer funding to help offset employees' out-of-pocket medical expenses, including providing first dollar coverage for some plan options.
• Mental Health Support: Spring Health for easy access to therapy, coaching, and wellness resources, including six sessions provided at no cost to employees.
• Inclusive Health Support: Carrot for guidance and support related to hormonal health, fertility, family-building, and gender-affirming services.
• Retirement Benefits: 403(b) retirement plan with immediate eligibility to participate and to receive employer matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Flexible Paid Time Off (Unlimited PTO) and Paid Parental Leave for up to 8 weeks for birth and non-birth parents.
• Holidays & Office Closures: 14 paid holidays annually, plus one week of office closure in early July and two weeks in late December
• Culture & Growth: A dynamic, mission-driven culture with a strong commitment to employee development and career growth.

The other stuff you need to know:

• Travel: This position is geo-flexible, but may require some travel to Reading Partners' National Headquarters in Oakland, CA or other locations for AmeriCorps required trainings or events.

If you're interested in joining our Reading Partners team, please submit the following application materials to our online job posting:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Reading Partners and how your past experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume

At Reading Partners we respect and honor the diversity in our workforce, and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About You

You'll be successful in this role if you:

• Have 2-4 years of experience in grant management
• Have a strong commitment to service and support of all teammates and stakeholders
• Have a proven ability to provide strategic coaching and support to develop skills within others from various backgrounds and experiences.
• Are adept at learning new technology platforms quickly and efficiently.
• Are adept at handling data and analyzing data to suggest process improvements.
• Take initiative - both independently and in a team setting.
• Are flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Are interested in working at an organization amidst great growth and change.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree or 4 years of equivalent work experience
• Display a deep belief in our mission and root your work in our core values.
• Ability to prove eligibility to work legally in the U.S. and that you are at least 18 years of age.

Bonus points if you:

• Experience with SalesForce, eGrants, OnCorps, and other ESS tools
• Have previous experience with AmeriCorps programs or administering an AmeriCorps program
• Are an AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni