Program Assistant & Alumni Coordinator Position (National Student Poets Program)

About the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards have an impressive legacy dating back to 1923 and a noteworthy roster of past winners including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, Jose Parla, Amanda Gorman, Tracy Reese, and Andy Warhol. Teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) apply in 28 categories of art and writing to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. To learn more, please visit artandwriting.org.

The National Student Poets Program (NSPP)

The Program Assistant & Alumni Coordinator will be joining the National Student Poets Program (NSPP) team. The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partner to present the National Student Poets Program, the country's highest honor for youth poets presenting original work. Five outstanding high school poets whose work exhibits exceptional creativity, dedication to craft, and promise are selected annually for a year of service as national poetry ambassadors. The Program believes in the power of youth voices to create and sustain meaningful change and supports them in being heard.

The Program Assistant is responsible for supporting day-to-day Program activity and Alumni outreach and opportunities, as well as occasional Alliance-wide staff projects and events.

Why Join Us

• Impactful Role: Empower the next generation of young artists and writers.
• Meaningful Mission: Support a core group of teen poets as they learn to navigate local and national literary ambassadorship work all over the country.
• DEI Leadership: Drive real change by infusing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles into our programming and events.
• Enthusiastic Environment: Collaborate with a mission-driven team.
• Deep Connections: Build sustainable long-lasting partnerships with poets and arts organizations across the country.

What You'll Do

Reporting to the National Student Poets Program Manager, the Program Assistant & Alumni Coordinator is a collaborative member of the team. The Program year is cyclical, with staff facilitating the activities of the current Class of National Student Poets while in the process of choosing the next Class. National Student Poets are celebrated at in-person events in New York City and in Washington, D.C., during the year. The Program Assistant and Alumni Coordinator role includes:

• Administrative Support: Assist with outreach and support for all NSPP events, including occasional travel bookings and group restaurant reservations. Manage payment requests and procedures for poets, mentors, and other NSPP partners. Support the current class of NSPP Student Poets. Provide feedback on programmatic materials such as the yearly chapbook and update relevant documentation on an as-needed basis with the Program Manager.
• Communication: Assist with outreach, mailings, and communications follow-ups with Poets, Program Alumni, and other NSPP partners. Participate in internal Alliance meetings to maintain awareness of regional and local programming and where National Student Poets or Alumni might be activated to participate. Participate in Alliance staff meetings and in virtual meetings with internal and external stakeholders in the lead-up to yearly NSPP events and trips.
• Alumni Mentorship and Outreach: Oversee the Alumni Mentorship Initiative, which each year partners an alum with a current National Student Poet for support throughout their year of service; circulate internal and external opportunities for continued Alumni engagement with the Program; maintain NSPP Alumni Database. Provide support for new Alumni programming, including a summer writing residency. Oversee selection process for Alumni opportunities such as microgrants, scholarships for writing residencies, and mentorships.
• Judging Support: Create documentation to assist in the judging process for new NSPP Classes based on pulling information from proprietary systems. Participate in internal judging of semi-finalists in advance of finalist selection.
• Virtual Support: Attend virtual events that may take place outside work hours to support the Poets and Alumni.
• Data Management: Update contact databases and other tracking databases in Notion, assist with administrative projects, and organize crucial program information.
• Be a Team Player: Provide additional support as needed for special projects, events, and operational needs.
• DEI Integration: Embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles into your role and empower our partners to create inclusive environments.

Preferred Skills

• Autonomy and Accountability: Fast learner comfortable working closely as part of a small team. Ability to research independently and take charge of special projects. Proficiency in keeping organized and motivated during slow periods.
• Superior Communication Skills: Interpersonal, written, and verbal. Ability to navigate Microsoft Teams and communicate with team regularly.
• Tech Proficiency: Ability to quickly learn a proprietary database. Proficiency with Gsuite tools and Microsoft Office Online a must. Ability to navigate email marketing websites, photo management systems, and task management systems such as Campaign Monitor, SmugMug, and Notion.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Ability to Adapt: Creative thinker with experience troubleshooting challenges.
• DEI Advocate: Dedication to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals and best practices.
• Creativity: Artists, writers, and Scholastic Awards alumni are encouraged to apply.
• Experience: Previous arts administration work and experience working with teens and/or young adults. This is a particularly exciting opportunity for those with a background in contemporary poetry.
• Work Ethic: An independent, reliable, meticulous, and highly organized people-person is sought for this role.

Schedule

The Program Assistant & Alumni Coordinator will work part-time, between 10 and 20 hours a week. Standard office hours are 9:30 am-5:30 pm ET, Monday-Friday. Weekend and evening hours are sometimes required, with the opportunity for overtime.

Location

This is a hybrid position. Our team is currently working remotely with semi-regular on-site meetings in New York City. The Alliance's NYC office space is housed within Scholastic Inc., headquarters which requires COVID-19 vaccination status documentation to access the offices.

Compensation

The hourly rate begins at commensurate with experience. This is a temporary, non-exempt position.

Apply Now

Join us in shaping the future of young creatives! To apply, please upload your cover letter and resume to https://artandwriting.bamboohr.com/jobs/.

All candidates will be screened and a select few will be invited to schedule a phone interview with the National Student Poets Program Manager. Following the first interview, selected candidates will be asked to schedule a virtual interview and complete a timed performance task to verify administrative proficiency. Candidates will also be asked to provide a list of verifiable references. Candidates who move on to the third round of interviews will meet with the Executive Director.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, or status as a veteran.