Be A Reader (BeAR) Program Coordinator

Be A Reader (BeAR) Program Coordinator

Part-time position supporting the Be A Reader (BeAR) literacy initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

Position Title: BeAR Program Coordinator

Classification: Part-time, non-exempt, 20 hours per week

Reports To: Jewish Community Relations Council Director

Department: Programs / Jewish Community Relations Council

Salary: Starting at $17/hour

Position Summary

The BeAR Program Coordinator manages the day-to-day coordination, volunteer support, school partnerships, materials, records, and communications for the Be A Reader Literacy Project. BeAR pairs trained volunteer mentors with second-grade students for weekly one-on-one literacy support that builds reading skills, confidence, and meaningful relationships.

The coordinator represents BeAR, UJFT, JCRC, and the Jewish community through dependable follow-through, warm relationship-building, and careful attention to the details that keep the program strong.

About BeAR

Created in 1999, BeAR supports students in Title I elementary schools in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The program provides weekly mentoring, books for students’ home libraries, school supplies, and a consistent caring relationship throughout the school year.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily BeAR operations, including school and volunteer communication, scheduling, records, materials, supplies, and administrative follow-through.
• Recruit, welcome, support, and retain volunteer mentors, school captains, assistant captains, and other volunteer leaders in partnership with the BeAR Chair and lay leadership.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school administrators, reading specialists, teachers, parent liaisons, educational leaders, and other school-based partners.
• Conduct school visits and attend education partner meetings as needed, including observing BeAR sessions and occasionally filling in as a mentor when necessary.
• Coordinate mentor training, kickoff gatherings, appreciation efforts, end-of-year events, and other touchpoints that support volunteers and program continuity.
• Maintain program data, mentor lists, school assignments, student participation information, book orders, supply needs, and other records needed for planning, evaluation, grants, and stewardship.
• Develop, adapt, and organize age-appropriate literacy worksheets, educational materials, books, school supplies, and other resources that support student learning and mentor engagement.
• Partner with UJFT staff, the BeAR Chair, Development, Marketing, and lay leaders to support grants, sponsorships, donor engagement, storytelling, outreach, and program visibility.
• Collaborate with colleagues, volunteers, schools, and community partners on related projects that strengthen BeAR’s impact.
• Attend occasional evening or weekend meetings or events, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of BeAR, JCRC, and UJFT.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of administrative, nonprofit, education, civic engagement, community relations, volunteer coordination, or related experience.
• Passion for working with elementary school-age children and supporting literacy, confidence-building, and student success.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and proofreading skills, with the ability to communicate warmly and professionally with volunteers, schools, colleagues, lay leaders, donors, and community partners.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, initiative, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with diverse volunteers, families, schools, faith communities, and community partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience with Canva or a willingness to learn Canva for the creation of literacy worksheets, educational materials, volunteer resources, and program communications.
• Ability to represent UJFT, JCRC, and BeAR with professionalism, warmth, discretion, and good judgment.
• Reliable transportation for school visits, meetings with educational leaders, program observations, supply needs, and occasional mentor coverage.
• Background check required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related experience in education, nonprofit administration, community engagement, literacy, child development, volunteer management, or a related field.
• Experience supporting volunteers, school partnerships, educational programs, grants, sponsorships, donor stewardship, program reporting, or outcome tracking.

Ideal Candidate

• Is dependable, organized, and able to take ownership of details from beginning to end.
• Builds authentic relationships and helps volunteers, school partners, students, and lay leaders feel valued and supported.
• Embraces BeAR's mission as both a literacy and mentoring program that reflects the Jewish community's commitment to education, service, and meaningful community partnership.
• Balances warmth and professionalism while keeping the program responsive, organized, and mission-focused.