Check out this opportunity with our colleagues SELCO/SELS! Located in the Rochester, MN area and serving all types of libraries, this system is a great place to get some good library experience.
Read through their ad, and pass this one to anyone you think would be a good candidate:
Play a vital role in the development of an initiative to support and improve early literacy efforts in the 11 counties of southeast MN and work closely with our amazing public and school libraries!
Position title: AmeriCorps VISTA Literacy Leader
Join SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating) and SELS (Southeast Library System) as we work to build a stronger early literacy infrastructure in our region! You will be able to build skills in conducting in-person interviews, investigating current practices, evaluating efficacy and assessing impacts while getting to work with others passionate about early literacy. You’ll be supported and encouraged by SELCO staff members working with public and school libraries.
This is a year-long Americorps VISTA service position, hosted through Literacy Minnesota. Serving as a Literacy Leader allows you to gain valuable experiences and skills while designing and carrying out early literacy initiatives. This position is hosted out of the regional headquarters located in Rochester, Minnesota.
SELCO and SELS are welcoming and collaborative organizations that provide services and support to public, school, academic, and special libraries in an 11-county region of southeastern Minnesota. One of the strategic goals of both organizations is that SELCO and SELS assist its library members to be equipped to elevate the lives of Minnesotans in the region. Through this project, the organizations hope to focus specifically on the lives of the state’s youngest residents.
The goal of “Building an Early Literacy Ecosystem” is to strengthen early literacy initiatives in the region served by SELCO and SELS by developing strategies for reaching families with children ages 0-5 who are not currently using the library, increasing families’ exposure to the library, and strengthening the connection between the public and school library in hopes of creating a seamless transition for families with children entering preschool and kindergarten.
Because this is the first year for this project, the Americorps Literacy Leader will have the opportunity to put their mark on this initiative by conducting a needs assessment, developing a logic model, and creating processes to increase collaboration between public and school libraries.
Duties include:
- Creating a survey for schools to establish average student readiness at the beginning of kindergarten.
- Observing early literacy activities at public libraries.
- Identifying other literacy providers in the region.
- Synthesizing data gathered and assessing existing literacy activities for effectiveness.
- Defining measurable outcome objectives and output targets.
Requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Ability to serve full-time for one year starting in August.
- A U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, asylee, refugee or DACA recipient
- A college degree is preferred but not required.
- Volunteer experience (or other type of community involvement) is strongly preferred.
- Relevant education, work, internship, volunteer or national service experience of at least 1 year is preferred, especially experience in libraries and/or early childhood settings.
- Access to a vehicle and possession of a valid Minnesota driver’s license and insurance
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Basic technology skills
- Self-motivated and self-directed
- Committed to equity, justice and community service
Literacy Leaders Receive:
- Living allowance ($575 bi-weekly)
- $6,345 education award or $1,803 stipend at end of service
- $7900 healthcare allowance
- Federal student loan forbearance
- Relocation allowance (if moving 50+ miles for service)
- Childcare assistance (if eligible)
- Public benefits received prior to service are not affected by service
Additional Benefits
- $750 per year in housing assistance funds (to be paid to landlord, mortgage company, leasing agent, or utility company)
- Free, locally grown produce box subscription from local Community Supported Agriculture partners during fall and summer harvest seasons or grocery cards
- $150 per year in professional development funds to pursue your own professional development goals
- AmeriCorps VISTA member-led affinity group opportunities
- Monthly professional development trainings
- Mentorship from seasoned professionals
- Develop your skill-set and network for a career in the education or nonprofit field
Send a resume and cover letter to Pam O’Hara at pohara@selco.info.
Questions? Contact Pam O’Hara at pohara@selco.info or 507-288-5513.
CLOSING DATE: February 28, 2023
If selected to interview, you will also be required to fill out the Americorps application.