The Montana Arts Council (MAC), with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, administers Montana Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation program and competition serving high school students statewide.

The Poetry Out Loud Outreach Coordinator (OC) disseminates promotional and curricular materials to school administrators, educators, and students; supports prospective and current participants through phone calls, emails, and messaging; tracks outreach contact with schools and students; and provides administrative support for competitions. An outreach team of four adult professionals assists in supporting the work of the OC.

The Poetry Out Loud Outreach Coordinator works under the guidance of MACs Arts Education Director.

• Responds to email inquiries about the program;
• Consistently communicates one-on-one with prospective and involved participants through a variety of formats, including phone, email, and messaging;
• Tracks outreach contact with participating schools and students using Microsoft Excel;
• Prepares and sends email newsletters to the program listserv;
• Assists with preparations for regional and state-level competitions;
• Supports student participants through check-ins and reminder messages; and
• Meets with the Arts Education Director at the MAC office at the beginning of each work week.

The position will encompass 200 work hours in total, designed to occur as 10 hours per week on average separated into two 100-hour terms. The first term will take place between October 2 and December 15 and the second between January 8 and March 15. On average, up to two hours per week of on-site work at the Montana Arts Council office in Helena will be required, with the remaining hours designated primarily as remote work. During regional and state competitions in early February and again in early March, up to 10 hours of on-site work may be needed, to be determined between the OC and the Arts Education Director.

The successful candidate must have access to a computer and phone. MAC will provide Wi-Fi access for work performed at the office.

The Poetry Out Loud Outreach Coordinator must reside in Montana and is expected to perform work at the MAC office in Helena on a weekly basis.

This position is open until filed. The first application review will be conducted Monday, September 11, 2023.

This position requires a bachelors degree in English, Creative Writing, Theatre, Integrated Arts or Education. Prior poetry editing experience or an artistic practice in poetry writing preferred.

• Demonstrated interest and passion in engaging youth in the study and recitation of poetry;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Ability to work as a flexible and adaptable collaborator, including while under pressure;
• Experience and skills using Excel or other spreadsheet formats; and
• Demonstrated decision-making skills and ability to ask for assistance as appropriate.