Perennial
Position: Community Partnership Coordinator
Reports to: Executive Director
This is a full-time 32 hour a week position with a 4 day work week.
Perennial was founded as an accessible arts + sustainability organization. Our mission is not just to divert waste, but to build a creative culture of sustainability where discarded objects can be transformed. We believe that learning creative skills and having space and time to explore them is a powerful community building experience.
Program Overview:
Since 2012, Perennial has partnered with local social service agencies to bring creative reuse workshops to women at transitional points in their lives. As the demand for sustainable programming in the St. Louis region has grown, Perennial has expanded community outreach to include partnerships and workshops with libraries, other non-profits, festivals, and groups impacted by environmental racism.
Perennial is looking to expand our off-site programs and partnerships as we redefine and prioritize events that promote reuse education and community accessibility, while maintaining the financial health of the organization. It is important to our organization to ensure the creative culture we are building is inclusive and meets the needs of folks with diverse backgrounds and a spectrum of artistic experience.
Position Summary:
We are looking for someone committed to reuse, resourcefulness, and community building to be the point person for our community outreach events. Strong organizational skills are crucial for establishing and maintaining communication with community partners, managing event logistics, and preparing materials for events and workshops. A history of creativity when it comes to developing projects using salvaged and reclaimed materials is important. Dedication to meeting folks where they are on their arts + sustainability journey by teaching beginners is crucial. Energy, flexibility and independence are needed to execute events in a variety of settings with diverse audiences and venues.
While there is no specific artistic discipline required for a successful candidate, an eagerness to learn new techniques and teach is important. Some of the disciplines Perennial teaches include sewing, knitting, woodworking, glass working, candle-making, paper arts, and more. A passion for reuse is needed in any discipline. Resourcefulness, specifically working with discarded and salvaged materials in beautiful ways, is core to all of Perennial’s programming.
Responsibilities
The Community Partnership Coordinator will help Perennial meet both budget goals and community commitments through contracted workshops. They will be responsible for responding to event inquiries, developing both standard and custom workshop/event crafts and reuse activities, staffing events, maintaining quality programming for community stakeholders,
and event clean-up and follow-up.
This position will work in partnership with the Director of Creative ReUse.
Specifically, the Community Partnership Coordinator will:
• Source, plan, and execute 3-5 community reuse events per month with neighborhood organizations, non-profits, and social service agencies
• Teach reuse projects for small groups of 6- 10 as well as large festivals
• Manage 2 large scale events per year, Perennial’s St. Louis Earth Day Repair Corner and the Missouri Botanical Gardens Best of Missouri Markets compostable pumpkin decorating
• Build capacity for additional racial equity work, specifically increasing programs serving residents impacted by environmental racism
• Manage and maintain regular communication with partners
• Build and maintain positive and professional relationships with partners
• Develop lesson plans and prepare materials for creative reuse activities using salvaged materials that are a good fit for partner needs (venue, audience, timeframe)
• Coordinate with and manage volunteers as needed
• Assist on-site with quarterly community clothing swaps
• Regularly document and share program successes through pictures, blog posts, and coordination with the Executive Director for grant purposes
Qualifications – We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all qualifications. Years of experience may overlap and non-traditional experience will be considered.
1-2 years of artistic teaching experience
1-2 years of experience working with under-resourced populations
1-2 years of programming experience, including planning and managing logistics for events/workshops
Strong organization and communication skills
Commitment to making creativity and sustainability accessible
Comfortable independently managing programs and communication
Commitment to racial equity as evidenced through work and/or training
Clean driving record and ability to drive a cargo van
Compensation:
This is a full-time, 32 hour a week position with a starting salary in the range of $30,000-$32,000 based on experience.
Benefits include:
• Additional monthly stipend of $180 for health insurance
• Generous PTO (10 flexible days plus 15 designated holidays)
• Opportunity to contribute to a Simple IRA Account with up to 2% match
• Use of the Perennial workshop in off hours for personal projects
Work Schedule and Agreement:
This is a full-time position requiring 32 hours a week that may be spread over 4 or 5 days based on candidate’s preference. Due to the nature of community events, weekend and evening hours are required. A flexible but consistent schedule will be finalized once a candidate is hired.
To Apply
Please send a resume and an introductory email or one-page cover letter that mentions:
• An example of creative reuse (artistic upcycling) that you have made and/or taught
• Highlight any teaching experience and what populations you have served
• Why you are interested in the position
Send to Katie Carpenter, Perennial Executive Director at katie@perennialstl.org
