Job Description

*ANTICIPATED START DATE SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

SPREAD THE WORD NEVADA OVERVIEW Spread the Word Nevada was formed in February 2001 by Co-Founders, Laurie Hartig and Lisa Habighorst.

Spread the Word Nevada is dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the homes of children within Nevada’s at-risk, low-income communities. Through community collaboration, mentorship and family partnership programs, Spread the Word Nevada fosters reading and language development opportunities ultimately leading to brighter academic and economic futures for these children. We are dedicated to changing the lives of at-risk children, one book at a time.

Spread the Word Nevada has various programs that they support, coordinate, and facilitate to advance childhood literacy. Currently, the Organization’s programs are being implemented, supported, and utilized throughout a continuously growing number of elementary schools throughout the Greater Las Vegas Valley and Washoe County, Nevada.

This position will work with the Books & Buddies Mentor Centers. The Books and Buddies program is a multi-generational reading program developed to improve the literacy skills of at-risk children by partnering them with mentors serving as reading companions. Mentors are recruited from the community to work with students to improve the student’s reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension and provide the much-needed individualized attention that is not readily available within the classroom and/or absent from the child’s home environment.

WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO EQUITY & DIVERSITY Spread the Word Nevada strives to recruit a diverse team of leaders. We believe there is a transformative academic and social benefit for children when their Program Directors, Managers, Facilitators, Coordinators and Volunteers reflect a diversity of backgrounds. Our employees agree that the organization provides a welcoming environment given their background and identity.

POSITION SUMMARY The Program Reading Assistant’s primary role is to work 1:1 with students referred to a Books and Buddies mentor center – 16 hours per week. Additionally, this position supports the day-to-day workflow. This position is contingent upon availability of grant funding and pays $14.00 per hour.

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS AND BUDDIES CENTERS ARE AVAILABLE:

• Will Beckley ES
• Ollie Detwiler ES
• Berths Ronzone ES
• Reynaldo Martinez ES
• C.C. Ronnow ES
• Red Rock ES
• Myrle Tate ES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work 1:1 with students
• Substitute for absent volunteers
• Provide a customer service centric and welcoming attitude to students, teachers, administration, volunteers and STWN staff
• Assist with taking children to and from their classrooms
• Serve as the room lead when facilitator steps out of the center
• Assist Program Facilitator with the cleanliness, organization, display and utilization of all literacy materials and books at center site
• Follow all site policies and procedures
• Assist in administration of pre- and post-assessments
• Other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the Program Facilitator, Assistant Program Manager, or Program Management team that are related to the fundamental aspects of the Program Reading Assistant position.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma required

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to meet attendance schedule; dependability and consistency is a must
• Use of reliable personal vehicle or have reliable transportation
• Experience with children preferred
• Possess a positive attitude and an approachable demeanor
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Nevada State Drivers’ License, proof of current automobile insurance and automobile registration

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Below are some of the qualities a Program Reading Assistant will exhibit:

• Passion for the mission and program
• Outgoing, positive, and energetic
• Ability to work with a variety of personalities
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Team player
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand frequently; walk frequently; sit; use hands and fingers to point, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to excessive heat, wet and/or humid outside conditions. Due to working in the office, warehouse and/or school setting, the noise level in the environment is moderate to high, at times.

COMPENSATION This position is contingent upon availability of grant funding and pays $14.00 per hour.

NOTE This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. Scheduled hours may change based on business need. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. WE MAINTAIN “AT WILL” EMPLOYMENT.

• A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.