10-20 hours per week, Remote working, contract-based role

The individual in this role will coordinate and support the community-led activities of the Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) program, including management of communications for program participants and activities, support for required grant reporting, administration of a pilot state-wide OER repository, and other duties as assigned. Excellent project management and communication skills will be essential in this role.

This is a grant-funded part-time remote-working independent contractor role, with an estimated 10-20 hours per week needed to complete contracted deliverables. The grant period covers October 2021 – September 2022, with possibility for renewal in the following year. The position will report to the PALCI Director of Strategic Initiatives. Flexible scheduling is available for many tasks, but the Coordinator must be available to attend scheduled ALPA meetings during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).

Responsibilities 

  • Project management and administrative support for the ALPA Working Groups, OER Specialists, Steering Committee and Executive Committee
  • Manage registration, logistics, and scheduling for meetings, online trainings and educational events, including the annual Affordable Learning Summit
  • Coordinate communication and marketing activities, including management of mailing lists, updates to the program website and social media, and support for the newsletter editorial team
  • Serve as administrator for the Pennsylvania OER repository pilot, including
    • Complete required training for the Hyku for Consortia platform
    • Populate materials and manage the addition of content
    • Provide customer support to creators and depositors of materials in the repository
    • Work closely with the ALPA Publishing and Repositories Working Group and the PALCI Digital Projects Manager in developing policies and workflows for the pilot
    • Gather ongoing feedback and evaluation to meet the needs of the ALPA community
  • Support required grant-reporting activities by collecting and organizing required data

Required Qualifications 

  • Detail-oriented, with demonstrated organizational and project management skills
  • Commitment to excellent, proactive customer service and communications
  • Demonstrated strength in writing, editing, and other communication skills
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team in remote work settings
  • Proficiency and comfort with using modern collaboration technologies and productivity tools necessary for distributed, remote-work teams, including but not limited to Google’s suite of business tools (Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms) and web conferencing technologies such as Zoom
  • Experience using or willingness to learn communication platforms including Mailchimp email marketing, WordPress website platform, Basecamp, and Google Groups
  • Willingness to learn basic day-to-day functions of a repository hosted on the Hyku for Consortia platform (training and support will be provided)
  • We welcome individuals who are knowledgeable and passionate about OER and affordable learning initiatives, but prior experience with affordable learning is not required.

Compensation 

Interested candidates may apply as independent contractors. Alternatively, this role may be filled by an individual employed at a PALCI member institution, through an agreement with that institution that contracts to supply services on a time-release basis. The contracted party will be responsible for all insurance or other business/employment related expenses, including taxes, benefits, licenses, and other expenses. Candidates will be selected based on availability and listed qualifications.

Compensation will be based upon delivery of contracted services, at a rate of $30-40/hour, commensurate with experience. PALCI anticipates an average of 10-20 hours per week (~50 hours per month) required across the term of the grant, with payment delivered on a monthly schedule based upon successful completion of contracted deliverables.

Remote Work Environment 

This position is a remote work role, with preference for candidates located in Pennsylvania. Contractors are expected to create their own environment conducive to productive work, provide all office furniture, and a robust internet connection.  Independent contractors are expected to supply all technology hardware equipment and desired peripherals, including access to a phone and desktop or laptop computer with word processing software, such as Microsoft Office or its equivalent. Access to a professional Zoom account will be provided by PALCI.  ALPA’s work is conducted primarily through frequent web-based meetings using Zoom, phone, and email. ALPA regularly uses Google, Slack, and Basecamp to facilitate collaborative work.

To Apply 

Please send your resume and cover letter to admin AT palci.org. Contact information for three professional references will be required from all applicants invited to interview.

The position is open until filled, with review of applications beginning on November 8, 2021.

Questions about the position can be directed to alison AT palci.org.

About Affordable Learning PA 

Affordable Learning Pennsylvania is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor. The project supports and sustains a community of practice among academic libraries to advance textbook affordability for our students through programs to create awareness, build expertise to lead OER initiatives, and promote best practices and collaboration in the community. For more information, please visit https://www.affordablelearningpa.org/.