Professional Mentor "Friend" – Colorado Springs, CO

Friends of the Children • Colorado Springs, CO

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

Friends of the Children – Colorado is seeking a passionate and committed Professional Mentor, referred to as a "Friend." This role is central to our mission of impacting generational change by empowering youth facing significant obstacles through long-term relationships with highly trained, full-time professional mentors for 12+ years, regardless of circumstances. The mentor will serve as a positive adult role model for eight elementary school children, developing loving, caring, and sustained relationships. Key aspects of the role include setting positive expectations, nurturing strengths, ensuring physical and emotional well-being, teaching life and academic skills, providing enrichment activities, and modeling responsible behavior. The Friend will also document activities, participate in evaluations, build trusting relationships with parents/caregivers, and fully support the organization's mission, vision, values, and principles.

Requirements

• 2 or 4-year degree, OR at least seven years’ progressive experience working with children and families.
• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years.
• Bilingual Spanish language skills are preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings.
• Ability to develop trusting relationships with children, families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Maintain a current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
• Comfortable actively engaging in activities with youth in community settings such as parks, libraries, and schools.
• Must be able to transport children in personal vehicles as required for mentoring activities.

Nice To Haves

• A sense of humor is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, protective, and loving relationship with each child.
• Spend time with children, one-on-one.
• Partner with parents/caregivers to provide concrete and social emotional supports for the family.
• Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities, and needs.
• Teach life skills and help develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child.
• Provide enrichment resources and activities that include opportunities for identity development.
• Develop positive relationships with families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life.
• Reinforce basic academic skills.
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that can include afternoons, evenings, and weekends (normal working days are Tuesday through Saturday with Sundays and Mondays off).
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
• Complete, distribute, and collect time summaries, activity journals, short-term plans, expense reports, and evaluations materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attend and actively participate in team meeting and staff functions.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Transport children in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities (mileage reimbursement).
• Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.
• Advocate to secure additional resources, opportunities, and services for youth as appropriate.
• Assist with systems navigation in schools to secure conditions for optimal academic success.

Benefits

• Generous vacation and sick leave paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Comprehensive medical benefits package
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Optional plans (at employee expense): medical coverage for dependents, a Flexible Spending Account, and supplemental life insurance.
• Children's car seats provided
• Mileage reimbursements

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree