AmeriCorps Program Manager - Compliance Specialist (Location Flexible)

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 works. Join our stellar team leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our service. Watch this video to learn more about Reading Partners.

The High Level

The Reading Partners AmeriCorps Program Manager (ACPM) - Compliance Specialist is responsible for managing a portfolio of AmeriCorps regions on the East Coast and grants at Reading Partners and supporting the AmeriCorps department in all aspects of AmeriCorps programming, operations, regional support, and member experience.  The  ACPM also directly manages and supports the AmeriCorps Program Associate (ACPA). The ACPM role is an integral member of the national AmeriCorps team (ACT) and reports to the Director of National Service.

What you’ll do:

Lead and support programmatic aspects of Reading Partners’ national service program

  • Supervise the AmeriCorps Program Associate and conduct weekly check-ins
  • Work closely with ACT members, specifically fellow ACPMs, ACPA, and Senior Admissions Manager to ensure compliant onboarding and offboarding procedures are executed
  • Work as a team with the ACPMs and ACPA to ensure year-round compliance, including: member file review, Middle and End of year review processes, offboarding, member performance documentation, and annual auditing processes
  • Coach the ACPA  in their professional development, particularly as it relates to grant compliance 

AmeriCorps Grants Management & Compliance

  • Maintain a portfolio of grants 
  • Partner with direct report and Reading Partners regions to ensure high quality grants management.
  • Manage programmatic aspects of AmeriCorps grant funding for designated East Coast portfolio, 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.
  • Build and maintain relationships with funders in designated portfolio, relaying pertinent information to all parties including regions, the national AmeriCorps department, Accounting, and other internal stakeholders as needed.
  • Assess overall grants management practices on a regular basis and provide suggestions for improvement.
  • Provide year-round internal review of National Direct awarded regions and support regional leadership in creating systems to improve compliance to AmeriCorps grants

Member Support

  • Collaborate with the national HR Operations/Talent and Equity teams to support managers with aspects of member performance management related to AmeriCorps compliance including documentation and file compliance.
  • Each year support regions with 3 National Days of Service: 9/11 Service Day, MLK Jr. Day and AmeriCorps Week.
  • Develop and facilitate AmeriCorps trainings for regional staff related to the effective compliant management of AmeriCorps programs.
  • 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 and AmeriCorps teams to develop recruitment, on-boarding, training and orientation processes for AmeriCorps members. 
  • Support the development and implementation around all member communications such as quarterly 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.

Partner with AmeriCorps team colleagues and other business partners

  • Support regions and Director of National Service 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.
  • Assist the Director of National Service 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.

Other duties as assigned

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, process 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 all members of AC team, Talent team, external partners/funders, and regional stakeholders to provide top tier service for Reading Partners staff and AC/V Members.

Project Management: 

  • Strong skill set in effectively leading projects with varied stakeholders to fruition in a timely manner as well as superior stakeholder/relationships management skills. Ability to motivate people with competing priorities toward a goal. Ability to take personal initiative and execute on key priorities. Skilled in being able to both plan and execute for the future. Are able to work efficiently and quickly to meet deadlines despite interruptions

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 and verbal communication. 

Approach: 

  • Maintains a 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.

About you!

Along with exhibiting the competencies above, you’ll be successful in this role if you:

  • Have at least 2 years experience managing grants and/or AmeriCorps compliance 
  • Have 1+ years experience working with or administering an AmeriCorps program
  • Have experience in developing and facilitating trainings
  • Are adept at handling data and analyzing data to suggest process improvements
  • Have a working knowledge of Google Drive and its suite of applications, Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google drive, eGrants, and Salesforce
  • Are flexible and able to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
  • Are highly adept at handling a large volume and broad variety of written communication, including large volumes of daily emails from teammates and stakeholders
  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience 
  • Model Reading Partners’ values at all times
  • Boast a deep belief in our mission
  • Can prove eligibility to work in the US legally
  • COVID-19 vaccination is required unless a medical or religious accommodation is requested and approved. Please review our Vaccination Policy.

Bonus Points if you:

  • Have experience navigating Federal regulations: CFRs and/or OMB circulars
  • Are an AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or other national service alum/alumna
  • Have experience working in launch or growth phases of organizations

What we offer:

Reading Partners offers the full package – great benefits, a great place to work and the opportunity to have a glowing and growing career.

  • We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, starting at $62,400 annually. This is a full time, exempt  position.
  • We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, generous paid time off, commuter benefits, 403(b) option and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • We offer an exciting and dynamic culture and we commit to investing in and supporting our amazing people to grow their careers with us. 

The other stuff you need to know:

  • Travel: This position is remote and must be able to significantly overlap with east coast working hours. Occasional trips to offices, school sites, CNCS or state commission-sponsored meetings and trainings, and National Days of Service events in other states may be required, including overnight stays.
  • Typical Physical & Mental Demands: Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other office equipment.  Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with AmeriCorps Members and staff. Also requires moderate to intense concentration due to complexity and/or need to meet deadlines, and flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.

What’s Next?

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.
View Company Information

To see other positions, click here.