About the Poetry Center: Since its founding in 1980, The Poetry Center has hosted poet laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, inaugural poets, and others of national and international reputation. Its programming is supported by a New Jersey State Council on the Arts grant and includes the Distinguished Poets workshop/reading series with an open reading segment, three literary contests/ awards, and publication of the annual Paterson Literary Review. Under the umbrella of the Poetry Center, the Theater and Poetry Project [TAPP] presents in-school poetry writing workshops and theater performances in the PCCC Founder's Theater for Paterson Public School students. In the spring, TAPP hosts an annual awards ceremony and poetry reading for the winners of a student poetry contest. Example of Duties: The Staff Assistant will:
- Work closely with the executive director to implement the Distinguished Poets Series, Mature Adults workshops series, literary contests/awards, Paterson Literary Review (PLR), and other poetry center programing.
- Process submissions for PLR and contests/awards, prepare for review by executive director, and communicate via e-mail with the poets/writers.
- Coordinate with designer on editorial services for PLR.
- Facilitate honorariums, enter purchase requisitions, and maintain budget with the director.
- Register participants for Distinguished Poets Series and Mature Adults workshops.
- Book venue for poetry readings/workshops and award ceremonies.
- Create flyers for readings/workshops and contest guidelines, applications and winners.
- Provide director with statistics for the Poetry Center final report.
- Assist the Theater and Poetry Project coordinator as indicated by the executive director.
- Organize contact lists for publishers for book contests.
- Perform routine office functions such as handling submissions received via mail, copying/scanning, maintaining files, and ordering supplies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the executive director.
Qualifications:
- Associate required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Must be skilled in the use of Microsoft Office and Excel programs.
- A quick learner and the ability to work independently.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving and written/oral communication skills.
The completion of a background check will be required by the selected candidate.