The Literacy Program Specialist is a key part of the Books for Kids team at Next Door. The position assists the Books for Kids Program Manager in overall operations of the Books for Kids program, and collaboratively develops and implements literacy programming for Next DoorÂ’s center-based, home-based and partnership sites, as well as events throughout the Milwaukee community.

The Literacy Program Specialist is a self-motivated, enthusiastic, organized and team-oriented individual who has a strong interest in providing literacy programming to young children and families.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks:

• Mission: Positively represents and communicates Next Door's mission, vision and programs to families, staff, partners, volunteers and others in the community.

• Books for Kids: Provides quality customer service to participants of the Books for Kids program. Promotes the program and assists with all aspects of the book donation program. Accepts book donations and arranges for transportation between multiple locations, which includes moving and lifting heavy boxes. Coordinates packing and monthly distribution of book orders for community pick-up, partnership sites and other sites via the Mobile Library. Assists with donation counting, sorting, and record keeping of the donations to Books for Kids. Participates in bi-weekly Books for Kids team meeting.
• Libraries: Assists with the maintenance of library resources, sorting areas, and book distribution at 29^th Street and Capitol Drive. Maintains Capitol Drive or 29^th Street library.
• Read with Me: Creates and implements the Read with Me schedule for Capitol Drive classrooms, distributes, and sends out reminders to classrooms. Coordinates with Capitol Drive staff to ensure smooth program delivery.
• Mobile Library: Collaboratively creates and implements the Mobile Library schedule and literacy programming in support of Child Care Partnerships with sites and other community events. Independently prepares for Mobile Library events, travels to and from locations, implements programming, activates volunteers and engages site staff, children in families in programming. Drives Mobile Library to multiple locations throughout the community. Works with Books for Kids Program Manager and Operations Supervisor to ensure all vehicle safety and maintenance standards are maintained and verified through accurate and updated recordkeeping.
• Literacy Programming: Collaboratively develops and implements Books for Kids, Family Engagement, and other Next Door event programming. Establishes and maintains relationships with program staff to understand the needs of the families served. Understands program details and funding needs that facilitate healthy, nurturing, and interactive engagement of donors and prospects.
• Volunteers: Assists in relationship building and supervision of BFK volunteers participating in Read with Me at Capitol Drive, the book room at 29^th Street, and the Mobile Library. Ensures proper recording of volunteer hours for the Books for Kids program, inputs data into ChildPlus, and submits in-kind documentation to fiscal.
• Support: Support the Books for Kids Program Manager with program planning and recordkeeping. Attends and actively participates in Next Door staff meetings, team meetings, and site functions. Performs other duties as assigned.