StoryCorps@yourlibrary Coordinator

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Founded in 2003 by radio documentary producer and MacArthur Fellow Dave Isay, StoryCorps has recorded and archived over 40,000 interviews from more than 70,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind. We have visited all 50 states, partnered with hundreds of community organizations across the country, and earned two Peabody Awards (including a rare Institutional Peabody Award), the highest honor in broadcast journalism. Millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition, our weekly podcasts on iTunes, and the stories posted on the Listen pages of our website. Our animations have been featured on PBS’s flagship documentary series POV and the YouTube homepage and were nominated for an Emmy. Our three books, Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project, Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, and All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps, were New York Times Bestsellers.

In the coming years, we hope to build StoryCorps into an enduring institution that will touch the lives of every American family. To learn more about our services, produced works, and special initiatives, and to listen to participant stories, visit storycorps.org.

Position Overview:

StoryCorps@yourlibrary (SCL) is a two-year program created by the American Library Association (ALA) in partnership with StoryCorps that seeks to encourage multi-format public programming on broad themes of oral narrative in library systems around the country.

Over the course of the two-year grant, ALA and StoryCorps will select and support ten pilot libraries during an eighteen-month period of interview collection and public programming. These partner libraries will be given a kit of professional recording equipment, and will use library staff and volunteers to facilitate StoryCorps interviews at their site. Partner libraries will use locally recorded materials and existing StoryCorps content to develop engaging public programs, exploring the use of oral narratives to strengthen cultural and civic engagement in their communities. Additionally, ALA and StoryCorps will create a suite of online resources that will encourage programming related to themes of local, community, and family history, that may be tailored to specific locales, holidays, heritage months, or existing programs.

The Coordinator will oversee the implementation of all aspects of SCL at partner libraries, including planning in-depth training sessions and managing all communications with the institutions involved to ensure the program meets its goals.

The Coordinator will support the Manager and Recording Operations Specialist in the research, development, and evaluation of SCL. This position involves national travel, approximately 12-15 trips over the course of its term.

StoryCorps records, shares, and preserves stories from a diverse range of American voices — from our Griot Initiative to preserve stories of African Americans, to our Historias Initiative to collect the experiences of Latinos. Candidates with work experience in diverse communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Account, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Employee Assistance Plan, and TransitCheks; also includes paid time off (vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to a dynamic toolkit of written and electronic resources for libraries to be administered in conjunction with the program
• Develop training materials and tutorials for recording StoryCorps interviews on-site at partner libraries
• Design and oversee remote orientations and on-site trainings with each partner library
• Communicate with and provide ongoing technical support to all partner libraries
• Oversee the transfer of StoryCorps interview materials and data uploads from partner libraries, ensuring the accurate archiving of all interview materials
• Collaborate with ALA and StoryCorps’ Marketing and Communication department to promote awareness of the program, including participation in conferences, generating online content about program activities, and assisting in developing printed marketing materials
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the implementation of StoryCorps@yourlibrary and the Recording & Archive department.

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree, or high school diploma/equivalency plus four (4) years of relevant work experience
• Demonstrated experience with instructional design, technical training, or technical support
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Macs
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Solid organization skills, multi-tasking ability, and attention to detail
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in order to contribute to problem-solving activities within a growing, changing organization
• Cultural competence and the ability to work successfully with diverse groups of people.

Preferred:

• Experience planning and implementing interactive, educational and/or public community programming
• At least 2 years experience in project management, preferably in a multi-site environment
• Experience working in archives or libraries
• Experience working with audio or multimedia equipment.

TO APPLY

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to [email protected] and include your last name and “Coordinator, StoryCorps@yourlibrary” in the subject line. Include your cover letter and resume as attachments entitled “YourNameLetter” and “YourNameResume.” In your cover letter, please tell us how you found out about this opportunity and whether you have applied for a position at StoryCorps in the past.

The position will remain open until filled; please apply early. No calls please.

StoryCorps seeks to hire staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

All positions at StoryCorps are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.