Professional Mentor "Friend" – Colorado Springs, CO

Friends of the Children • Colorado Springs, CO

5d • $22 - $23

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. Essential Functions and 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 includes 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. Provide information and support to the development and executive team on related activities. Fulfill other responsibilities as requested. The ideal candidate will have the following Education, Experience, and Abilities: 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 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 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 A sense of humor is a plus

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
• 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
• 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

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish language skills are preferred
• 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 includes 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.
• 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