Our Vision

A community in which literacy is highly valued and achievable for all.

Our Mission

To increase comprehensive literacy and English language skills through
one-on-one and small group instruction by trained volunteers and access to literacy resources.

The Organization

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County is seeking an experienced and passionate candidate to lead the organization as executive director and add to its exceptional 30+ year history.

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County teaches individuals of all ages basic reading, writing, and English language skills through specialized instruction provided by trained volunteer tutors. Students gain self-confidence and develop self-sufficiency to transform their lives as individuals, parents, workers, and citizens. 

The Literacy Council, a non-profit organization accredited by ProLiteracy and serving the community since 1987, provides highly individualized tutoring to fit the needs of over 300 students annually through the skilled instruction of over 250 volunteer tutors. The Literacy Council is governed by a 17-member board of directors and staffed by five highly skilled professionals and one AmeriCorps member. The organization has an annual budget of $355,000. The organizational culture is collaborative, hardworking, mission-driven, and service-oriented. 

The Region

The Asheville area’s prime location in the spectacular mountains of Western North Carolina and the high quality of life enjoyed in the region makes it attractive as a place where lifestyle complements business opportunity. The area’s consistent and steady growth is the result of the collaborative vision of economic development and strong community partnerships. Health services are known to be the best in the region. In addition to being Western North Carolina’s business hub, the Asheville area is world-renowned as a bustling tourist destination, named one of “15 Coolest Places to Go” in the world by Forbes Magazine. Western North Carolina offers an eclectic arts and music scene and a wide variety of year-round outdoor activities.

The Position

The Literacy Council is poised to move to the next level of growth effectiveness with the inspired leadership of the right individual. The incoming ED, in partnership with Board and staff leadership, will be focused on long-range planning, strengthening and diversifying fundraising efforts, and growing the capacity of the organization. The ED is also the public face of the organization and is instrumental in recruiting new volunteers, tutors, donors, board members, and community partners.

The new ED must have proven, significant, and successful organizational development, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership experience, the ability to oversee day-to-day operations, and the skill to work collaboratively with the board to guide the organization. The ED must also possess the talent to communicate effectively and build relationships with multiple constituencies, including the board, staff, donors, government officials and community leaders.

Organizational Priorities

The Board of Directors of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County has identified the following as the highest priorities for the new executive, the board, and the staff over the next 12 to 18 months:

• Conduct a financial sustainability assessment
• Develop a 3-5 year strategic plan for growth
• Continue to diversify fundraising efforts
• Improve engagement and effectiveness of the board
• Maintain the high level of organizational culture

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Vision, Mission, and Strategies – Work closely with the board and staff to translate the Literacy Council’s mission and vision into clear strategic directions, goals, and initiatives.
• Accomplishment of Management Objectives – Oversee operational and program objectives that support the organization’s strategic goals and lead the staff in their implementation.
• Fund Raising and Resource Development – In partnership with the board and staff, develop and implement appropriate and diversified fund-raising and financial development strategies.
• Fiscal Management – Ensure that solid planning and budgeting systems continue so that income is managed wisely and that the organization’s goals serve as the basis for sound financial planning. Ensure that systems and staff are in place to accurately monitor, assess, and manage the financial health of the organization.
• Human Resources Management – Foster and maintain a strong staff built on teamwork and collaborative decision-making in a positive and empowering environment. Oversee staff development activities that build leadership skills and motivate performance. Ensure adherence to the personnel policies in all hiring and employment practices.
• External Liaison and Public Image – Serve as primary spokesperson and public face for the Literacy Council, representing it locally and regionally. Develop dynamic working relationships with diverse constituencies, including government, education and nonprofit groups that support the work of the Literacy Council.

Required Qualifications

• A history of leadership or management success in the nonprofit sector
• Strong fundraising and relationship building skills with proven experience in foundation, government, corporate and individual giving
• A high degree of financial literacy and management experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal and public speaking skills, and experience with diverse populations and multiple constituencies
• Collaborative leader with an exceptional ability to foster a spirit of cooperation with external partners and among board members and staff
• Demonstrated ability to work with and facilitate strong board development and leadership
• An innovative problem solver, flexible, and capable of adapting to changing priorities
• A visionary leader with strong strategic thinking, organizational development, and planning skills
• Strong organizational skills
• A working knowledge of office technology including Microsoft Office suites, Quick Books, Gmail suite, and other technology-based systems
• A demonstrated commitment to a strong culture of teamwork and staff development
• A selfless and inclusive leader with a bias for action

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in human services, childhood or adult literacy, or nonprofit organization leadership
• Leadership and coordination of a volunteer, service-based workforce
• Program evaluation experience
• Marketing and PR experience
• Experience in working with diverse communities and cultures
• Bilingual skills
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Compensation

The salary for this full-time position is $55,000.  The Literacy Council offers a flexible work environment and a generous time-off package.

Application Process

To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume, and salary history via email only to: edsearch@litcouncil.com. Please, no phone calls.

Submissions have now closed.  August 18, 2019

Download Position Description PDF

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting a diverse pool of qualified candidates for the position.

Are you looking for the opportunity to make a difference? The Literacy Council has an exciting opportunity to join our team for a year! Apply today to become the Literacy Council’s next Recruitment and Awareness Coordinator through AmeriCorps. Please follow the link below to fill out your application.

 

Join AmeriCorps and “get things done”! Become a NC LiteracyCorps member at the Literacy Council of Buncombe County and improve literacy and English language skills in our community.

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County will host one full-time NC LiteracyCorps (an AmeriCorps Project) member beginning September 2019. The application period is now open and closes August 1.

Thank you to J.B. Adams, Jr and Associates, Inc. for making an incredible contribution to the Literacy Council’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as a holiday gift on behalf of their clients. Their donation will help give children in our community the head start they deserve and truly change their lives forever:

As part of this thoughtful gift, some J.B. Adams, Jr and Associates clients recalled their favorite children’s (or otherwise) books to share with us:

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
• Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
• Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
• Wapiti Wilderness by Margaret and Olaus Murie
• Old Black Witch by Wende Devlin, Harry Devlin
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon
• My Antonia by Willa Cather
• Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
• Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Rosie and the Rustlers by Roy Gerrard
• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
• Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Are you looking for the opportunity to make a difference? The Literacy Council has an exciting opportunity to join our team for a year! Apply today to become the Literacy Council’s next Recruitment and Awareness Coordinator through AmeriCorps. Please follow the link below to fill out your application.

 

Position Description

Join AmeriCorps and “get things done”! Become a NC LiteracyCorps member at the Literacy Council of Buncombe County and improve literacy and English language skills in our community.

NC LiteracyCorps members provide literacy tutoring to youth and adults while building program capacity through volunteer tutor recruitment and management. The LiteracyCorps member working with the Literacy Council of Buncombe County will have the opportunity to:

• provide direct service tutoring,
• recruit and orient volunteers,
• recruit and support students,
• develop and enhance community partnerships,
• conduct visibility campaigns,
• manage a book gifting program, and
• participate in national days of service.

The Literacy Council’s NC LiteracyCorps member will begin in August 2018 and complete their service year in July 2019. Over the course of the year, the member will become an integral part of the Literacy Council’s full-time team, providing 1,700 hours of service.

The initial application period closes May 21. 2018 but will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Benefits to the Member

NC LiteracyCorps members receive a living allowance of up to $13,732 and qualify for limited health insurance reimbursements. Upon completion of requirements, they are eligible to receive an educational award of $5,920. NC LiteracyCorps members receive training in volunteer management, literacy issues, tutoring strategies, diversity, and leadership skills. The member placed with the Literacy Council will also have a professional development stipend to participate in conferences and seminars throughout the service year.

Qualifications

To serve with the NC LiteracyCorps, the member must:

• be at least 18 years old
• have a high school diploma or equivalent
• successfully pass statewide and national criminal background checks
• be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Legal Permanent Resident of the United States

Preferred qualifications are:

• a deep commitment to providing educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged adults and youth and/or those who are from other cultures
• excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and members of the community
• outstanding written and oral communication skills
• a working knowledge of office technology including Microsoft Office suites
• ability to work independently and collaboratively
• creative, strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills and ability to track deadlines
• available to work occasional evenings

[su_button url=”http://nclc.web.unc.edu/join-nclc/americorps-member/” target=”blank” style=”glass” background=”#eb5b3f” color=”#000000″ icon_color=”#000000″ text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]APPLY HERE TODAY[/su_button]

Call #1: Support AmeriCorps

The Literacy Council of Buncombe County has hosted four AmeriCorps members through the NC LiteracyCorps. These four members have:

• Contributed over 60,000 hours to the Literacy Council’s programs
• Tutored 11 ESOL, Adult Education, and Augustine Project students
• Oriented over 450 new volunteer tutors
• Updated our website (twice!)
• Managed our social media accounts
• Launched and managed Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• Taught early literacy workshops for 75 families

We hope that anyone who appreciates this worthwhile program will contact Congress and ask them to protect the federal investment in our national service programs like AmeriCorps. This nonpartisan program means so much to our tutors, students and community. Call or contact your congressional representatives online. Click here for a resource to make it easy for you.

Call #2: Oppose the Repeal of the “Johnson Amendment”

The “Johnson Amendment,” in place since 1954, lays out the ground rules that help insulate 501(c)(3) organizations from partisan politics. The law provides that charitable nonprofits:

• can’t endorse or oppose candidates for office;
• can’t coordinate their activities with candidates, political parties, or PACs; and
• must refrain from making political campaign contributions. 

“Eliminating the law would mean that individual 501(c)(3) nonprofits could come to be regarded as Democratic charities or Republican charities instead of the nonpartisan problem solvers they are,” said David Heinen from the NC Center for Nonprofits. “…this would diminish the public’s overall trust in the nonprofit sector and consequently would limit nonprofits’ effectiveness in carrying out their mission-related programs and activities. The law also ensures that donors’ charitable contributions are used for the charitable, religious, and educational purposes for which they are intended rather than being diverted to political parties or candidates.” Click here to read more from the NC Center for Nonprofits.

Please consider calling your congressional representatives and ask them to protect our nation’s nonprofits by preserving current federal tax law protections that prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations from endorsing, opposing, or contributing to political candidates.

Update 3/31/17: The Literacy Council of Buncombe County joined other nonprofits across the nation in signing on to a Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship. Read it by clicking here.