Program Assistant

Introduction

Barbershop Books, winner of the prestigious National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize, inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, and community-driven programming and content. The Program Assistant will report to the Director of Programs and Research and will play a key role in helping boys develop a positive relationship with reading by building strong relationships with Philadelphia barbershop partners and ensuring child-friendly reading spaces are well-maintained.

In this dynamic and collaborative role, you’ll work alongside a passionate program team to create welcoming reading environments and deliver meaningful literacy programming that help boys identify as readers. If you are committed to making a difference in communities and in the lives of children, we invite you to join our team.

Watch The Barbershop Books Program In Action

PROGRAMS:

• Barbershop Books: Distributes boy-approved books to a national network of barbershops and provides early literacy training to barbers.
• Reading So Lit Summer: A virtual summer reading program that hires and trains male high school students of color to lead fun, interactive reading explorations with Black and Brown boys ages 6-8.
• Reading So Lit (platform): A reading identity development platform for grades PK-3 that equips educators with actionable, strengths-based insights to support holistic reading personalization and student-driven decision making.
• Barbershop Books E-Library: Free online collection of independently published children's e-books by Black and Brown authors and fun storytime videos.

VALUES:

• Child-centered: We embrace the possibilities, strengths, and interests of children
• Leadership: We empower individuals and communities to expand learning opportunities
• Fun: We inspire and model the joy of lifelong reading
• Collaboration: We partner with diverse community stakeholders to create system change
• Innovation: We develop unique, compelling, and transformational content and programs
• Excellence: We pursue measured impacts and organizational efficiencies that support long-term sustainability

Responsibilities

Build relationships and maintain reading spaces (core responsibilities):

• Build and maintain positive relationships with 30 participating Philadelphia barbershops and barbers
• Conduct bi-monthy, in-person site visits to maintain child-friendly reading spaces in Philadelphia barbershops
• Lead in-person literacy trainings for barbers as needed

Materials management and logistics:

• Organize, track, and distribute program materials to barbershops in a timely manner
• Assist with ordering, shipping, and storage of program materials including periodic inventory of program materials in the organization’s Philadelphia office

Program implementation:

• Administer barbershop program surveys in-person and over the phone and accurately enter program data into tracking system via Google Forms
• Collect quotes and images from program stakeholders
• Lead in-person barbershop program orientations and provide ongoing training and support as needed

Collaboration and outreach:

• Collaborate with community partners to implement impactful literacy programming
• Travel to program areas outside Philadelphia occasionally to assist with program outreach, attend events, and represent the organization at conferences
• Assist program team with updating program materials, processes, and implementation strategies
• Work with team members across Development and Communications departments to support impactful donor and volunteer engagement opportunities

Additional tasks/projects as assigned

Skills/Qualifications

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Experience or demonstrated interest in education, community outreach, or nonprofit programming
• Entrepreneurial, self-starter, solution-oriented, and adopts a growth mindset
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently.
• Takes ownership of goals and can work collaboratively and independently to complete tasks/projects
• Familiarity with barbershop culture in Philadelphia and surrounding regions and comfortable working with diverse populations
• Flexible and comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Spanish fluency is a plus
• Experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, etc.).
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, project management and CRM tools.
• Valid driver’s license and means of reliable transportation (Travel during work hours is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy).

Barbershop Books is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified in a written employment agreement.