Community Organizer - New Jersey Library Association

Position Description:

NJLA: Developing library workers, uniting the library community.

NJLA Core Values

Summary

Supports all NJLA Section and relevant Committees, emphasizing NJLA members’: ongoing professional development; satisfaction, continuity, and consistency in volunteer experiences; and active engagement in the association. Onboards new NJLA members, helping them find a home within the association. Works with NJLA members to ensure that NJLA anticipates and adapts to their professional needs and interests. Supports Sections in planning and staffing in-person and online professional development programs and events, including fee-based and free workshops, forums, conferences and unconferences, and webinars.

Reporting Relationship

The NJLA Community Organizer is hired by and reports to NJLA’s Executive Director.

Representative Job Duties

1. NJLA Membership Support

• Supports NJLA members in developing leadership and management skills, and in learning and engaging with emerging technology. This may include facilitating leadership institutes, cohorts, mentoring, coaching, or other formats for helping NJLA members develop as leaders or managers.

• Helps Sections plan professional development programming.

• Ensures that NJLA members have ongoing and satisfying professional development engagement with NJLA, and that NJLA’s programming anticipates and adapts to its members’ needs.

• Stays up to date on best practices for nonprofits and volunteer-run organizations, including retention, onboarding, and governance.

2. Staff Liaison Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary liaison for the Leadership & Education and Member Engagement Committees and all NJLA Sections. Ensures that regular meetings are scheduled and advertised, that agendas are posted prior to meetings, minutes are recorded, Sections update their relevant areas of the NJLA website and online communities, and Sections hold annual elections.

• Promotes Section-sponsored and other NJLA-sponsored professional development activities to current and potential NJLA members, both in-person and via online channels, including Novi, Higher Logic, and Skilltype.

• Onboards new NJLA members and helps them find satisfying ways to participate in NJLA, primarily through participation in Sections and other NJLA professional development activities.

• Assists with Annual Conference planning and preparation, primarily in helping Sections propose programming and presentations, and helps to ensure that all attendees have a fulfilling experience during the event.  

• Assists Sections in planning and staffing in-person and online professional development programs and events, including fee-based and free workshops, forums, conferences and unconferences, and webinars.

3. Communication and Technology

• Helps ensure that NJLA maintains accurate information on its website and in its online community.

• Contributes to NJLA communication and campaigns (e.g., website updates, press releases, social media posts, email distribution lists, newsletters) used by NJLA to communicate with members, potential members, advocates, and the general public.

• Works with NJLA staff and members to ensure brand consistency.

• Stays up to date on technologies that are relevant to NJLA members, including best practices in usability, accessibility, privacy, and security.

Requirements and Certifications

• Five (5) years of experience in a position(s) that supports education or community engagement in the public or private sector.

• Proficient in the use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, printers, fax machines, projectors, and filing cabinets.

• Must reside in the State of New Jersey within one year of employment unless exempted by law.

• Reliable transportation to attend training, meetings, or other work assignments at off-site locations as required.

Physical Requirements

• Predominantly sedentary, however, the position requires the ability to ambulate and stand for periods of time, for example, to operate office equipment and to carry out staff liaison responsibilities.

• Must be able to constantly communicate with members, vendors, and colleagues about NJLA business, and exchange clear, concise and accurate information in these situations.

Work Environment and Schedule

• Temperature controlled environments with occasional work outdoors at events or outreach activities.

• Regularly works 35 hours per week; will include some evenings and weekends as determined by Association needs; additional hours may be required with or without advanced notice.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Benefits

In addition to a $75,000 starting annual salary, the position offers the following benefits:

• 10 vacation days on the first day of employment with an additional 10 days to be allocated upon completion of the first 6 months of employment. After the first year, there will be 20 vacation days credited at the beginning of the calendar year.

• Three personal days are granted per year.

• Five sick days on the first day of employment with an additional five sick days to be allocated upon completion of the first 6 months of employment. After the first year, there will be 10 sick days credited at the beginning of the calendar year.

• 14 paid holidays per calendar year.

• A minimum of 5% of the Community Organizer’s annual salary will be contributed into a TIAA 403(b) retirement fund with NJLA providing an 8% contribution.

• 85% of the Community Organizer’s annual premium single coverage health benefits will be covered, including dental benefits. Employees wishing to purchase coverage for family members may do so at their own expense. Employees choosing alternative coverage may sign a waiver and receive a $300 monthly stipend in lieu of this benefit.

• Mileage reimbursement at each year’s federal mileage rate. For out-of-state travel representing NJLA, reimbursement for a rental car and gas, and, if necessary, hotel accommodations and a per diem for meals.

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to provide an overview of the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The position may require the performance of other job-related responsibilities and tasks.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and enthusiastic team, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with each qualification in the job description, please apply anyway! You might be just the right candidate for this role. 

Consistent with our values and our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as stated above, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the NJLA undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Salary: $75,000

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Status: Full-time

Essential: Yes

Developed: 2025-05

Interested candidates should email their cover letter and resume to the attention of Brett Bonfield, Executive Director, NJLA, director@njla.org, with “NJLA Community Organizer” in the subject line, no later than Sunday, May 31, 2026.