Professional Mentor "Friend" – Colorado Springs, CO

Friends of the Children • Colorado Springs, CO

3d • $46,000 - $50,000

About The Position

Friends of the Children – Colorado is looking for a passionate, committed, Friend (professional mentor). Our mission is to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with highly trained, full-time professional mentors—12+ years—no matter what.
Basic Function:
We are currently seeking a mentor to serve as a positive adult role model to eight elementary children and develop loving, caring, and sustained relationships with each child. For each child, a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote each child’s strengths, talents, and abilities; help ensure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior. A Friend will fully document activities and participate in the ongoing evaluation process. Friends will work primarily one-on-one with the children they serve, while also building trusting, supportive relationships with parents/caregivers. A Friend must know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.

Requirements

• 2 or 4-year degree
• Alternatively, at least seven years’ progressive experience working with children and families will be considered in lieu of a college degree
• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years.
• 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
• Friends must be comfortable actively engaging in activities with youth in community settings such as parks, libraries, and schools.
• Friends are required to maintain a current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish language skills are preferred
• 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
• 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). Your 40-hour/week schedule has flexability dependant on personal needs and the needs of the caregivers/youth.
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines. Current spending budget includes $50/month to be spent on youth activites/needs.
• 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 reembursement).
• Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities. Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

Benefits

• We offer generous vacation and sick leave paid time off, paid holidays, a comprehensive medical benefits package, a 401(k) retirement plan, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Employees can add optional plans, at employee expense, which include medical coverage for dependents, a Flexible Spending Account, and supplemental life insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees