Select Page

Job Openings:

Title: Distribution Specialist/Fleet Driver (Non-CDL Driver)
Reports to: Fleet Team Manager
FLSA Classification: Hourly
Job Status: Full-time

Who We Are:
We are looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed nearly 20 million free books to children in underserved communities over the last 11 years as we reopen to our approximately 40,000 volunteers a year. We are looking for an energetic team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

The Role:
Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our Fleet Team. The Fleet Team is the face of Bernie’s Book Bank to our book distribution partners and book collection partners. They work in pairs driving trucks throughout Chicago and the collar counties to deliver bags of books to Title 1 schools and other partners to underserved children. They get to see the joy and excitement on the faces of children daily as they gain access to the joy of books. Our drivers are the face of our organization on a daily basis.

A Typical Day On The Job:
A typical day starts around 7:30am with loading up our trucks with rolling totes for a list of stops in the city or suburbs. You and your driving partner will work together to get the box truck ready to go out and then drive together to each stop on the list. At each stop, the team will unload the needed totes, roll them into the schools/partner location, communicate with school staff, unload bags into assigned locations, reload empty totes onto the truck and move onto the next location as a team. The team will complete their route and return to the facility between 2-4:30pm. They will unload the trucks and reset for the next day, reporting numbers of deliveries for the day. Any remaining time on their shift is spent prepping books for distributions in our processing center in Lake Bluff, IL. Some days they will also collect books from donations partners which may require lifting and moving boxes of books and/or use of a pallet jack etc. This job does NOT require a CDL and is primarily Monday – Friday.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

  • Collect and distribute books and materials, to various book collection and distribution partners across Chicagoland (schools, WIC sites, libraries etc).
  • Drive a box truck with a driving partner to locations throughout Chicago and the six collar counties to distribute books.
  • Load and unload wheeled totes and pallets of boxed books on and off our trucks and into delivery locations. Unload bags of books from totes at delivery locations.
  • Assist in the preparation of book collection and distribution materials.
  • Provide excellent customer service to our partner schools.
  • Assist in the book processing center, as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and willing to show proof of full vaccination at time of hire.
  • Must be passionate about the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank.
  • Must have an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated.
  • Must exhibit the following qualities: problem-solving, team player, strong work ethic, sense of urgency, flexibility, communicative, organized, personable/diplomatic, multi-tasking, relationship-building.
  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, some holidays, weekends, and overtime as required.
  • Must have a clean driving record and acceptable background check results.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in a warehouse environment and operating a vehicle. Must be able to lift 50 pounds unassisted and be able to move and load books. At times, may be required to work within the book processing center. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Interested in applying? Email your resume and cover letter to Amber Emken, Human Resources Business Specialist at [email protected] 

Title:  Processing Center Specialist
Reports to:  Processing Center Manager
Job Status:  Part-time

We are looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed nearly 20 million free books to children in underserved communities over the last 11 years as we reopen to our approximately 40,000 volunteers a year. We are looking for an energetic team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated member of our team to be a PART-TIME Processing Center Specialist (PC Specialist) who will work closely with our volunteer workforce. The Processing Center (PC) is the heart of our organization. This position will be integral in our successful reopening to volunteers and creating a welcoming, fun and productive environment for our team and volunteers.

We are looking for someone willing to work about 20 hours per week primarily evenings from approximately 4pm-7pm (hours are flexible) and on Saturdays 8am-5pm. This is a great role for someone looking for a job after classes etc.

Our Processing Center Specialists work as part of the Processing Center Team and works on all activities in the Processing Center with a focus on production, quality, and safety. The PC Specialist must emphasize meeting distribution goals while providing an exceptional volunteer experience.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

  • Train and lead volunteers during sessions to ensure distribution goals and quality standards are being met.
  • Execute all dynamic production objectives pertaining to the processing of incoming books.
  • Interact with all volunteers to ensure a positive, friendly and safe environment, leading to return visits.
  • Execute Processing Center operations (i.e. organization, efficiency, workflow, supplies, inventory and cleanliness).
  • Liaison with the Back of House team to facilitate processing and inventory management.
  • Execute pre-session set up by resetting the Processing Center 3-4 times a day to effectively meet volunteer/session requirements.
  • Execute post-session clean-up and breakdown 3-4 times a day to effectively meet safety and cleanliness standards.
  • Liaison with Processing Center Manager to implement and provide input on new projects.
  • Support accurate and relevant representation of Bernie’s Book Bank brand.
  • Effective use of VolunteerHub to plan and execute volunteer sessions.
  • All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Must have and exude an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated, and goal-driven.
  • Must understand the value of relationships as the lifeblood of Bernie’s Book Bank.
  • Minimum 1-3 years experience in working in a public-facing role dealing with customer needs (examples include retail, restaurant work, librarian, reception etc).
  • Willingness to change/be dynamic to meet the needs of the business.
  • Ability to deal with changes that may mean rearranging priorities on the fly due to changing needs (volunteer attendance, distribution goals).
  • Comfortable speaking and articulating our mission to large groups of volunteers.
  • Skills & attributes: Interpersonal communication, organization, anticipation, multi-tasking, problem-solving, positive attitude, flexibility, appropriate sense of urgency.
  • High School Diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Ability to become trained and certified if needed on a forklift, stacker, reach truck and electric pallet jack.
  • Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to be trained on Volunteer scheduling applications.
  • Must treat cleanliness, organization, process, and safety as essential functions of the Processing Center.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in a warehouse environment. Will be required to see, hear, and touch on a regular basis. Must be able to lift 30 pounds unassisted as may be needed to help move or load books. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Interested in applying? Email your resume and cover letter to Amber Emken, Human Resources Business Specialist at [email protected] 

 

Title: Marketing Communications Lead
Reports to:  Director of Marketing Communications
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Job Status: Full Time, 40 Hours

Bernie’s Book Bank is a non-profit organization that sources, processes and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among under-served infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout Chicagoland.

Responsibilities:

  • Social Media Management
    • Plan, monitor and measure social media across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn including follower engagement.
    • Leverage Sprout Social platform to analyze growth/challenges and test new strategies for increased participation
  • Stakeholder Communication
    • Use Mailchimp to create and launch monthly email communications to our general supporter base, volunteer groups and event attendees; measure engagement and analyze metrics to refine outreach strategies
    • Explore segmentation within key groups using Salesforce CRM
  • Media/Influencer Outreach
    • Promote Bernie’s Book Bank events and accomplishments to local, regional, and national media outlets
    • Cultivate existing relationships with media contacts & engage new influencers
  • Content Creation
    • Use photography, video, and design skills to create assets that bring our mission to life visually for all departments
    • Support fundraising efforts with print, digital, and social content for campaigns and events
  • Website support
    • Curate photos, videos, and other media from external sources for use on our site and partner sites
    • Manage blog posts and other updates on our WordPress site to promote milestones and events
  • General marketing support
    • Collaborate with Director of Marketing on special projects and events

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree, one to two years of relevant experience preferred
  • Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced and collaborative environment; a self-starter, organized, diplomatic and exceptional at problem-solving
  • Proven success with social media campaigns; flexibility to monitor social during non-business hours during annual events
  • Strong writing skills and the ability to distill information into a concise message to share with different audiences through multiple communication channels
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 required; experience with Sprout Social, WordPress, Canva preferred
  • Must be passionate about the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank
  • Must have an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift 25 pounds unassisted and be able to move books. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Interested in applying? Email your resume and cover letter to Amber Emken, Human Resources Business Specialist at [email protected] 

LET'S CONNECT