Program Specialist/Community Outreach

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico•Taos, NM

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves two main functions: Program Specialist and Community Outreach. As a Program Specialist, the individual will interview potential mentors and mentees, make tailored matches (Community-Based, Site-Based, or School-Based), and provide ongoing support to ensure safe and healthy match development. This includes applying child safety knowledge, adhering to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Service Delivery Model, entering data accurately, assessing and resolving match concerns, distributing surveys, and planning activities. The Community Outreach aspect involves raising public awareness of BBBSNM's services, developing relationships with partners to meet volunteer recruitment goals, working with school districts to maintain and grow school-based programs, identifying children who would benefit from a mentor, and recruiting volunteer mentors. The role requires collaboration with the team to grow high-quality programming and help families connect with community supports.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED
Option 1: A documented bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field deemed appropriate by the agency, or be within six months of degree completion.
Option 2: A documented associate degree or two years of higher education from an accredited institution in a relevant field, plus two years of related work experience (e.g., social work, counseling, child development).
Option 3: Four years of relevant work experience in related fields as defined by the agency.
Strong communication skills
Strong confidentiality skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Proficiency in standard office equipment
Valid NM driver’s license
Valid NM driver’s insurance
Access to personal vehicle to facilitate travel within Taos and Penasco as well as occasional travel to other sites where services are provided.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Experience with both youth and adult populations
Familiarity with New Mexico’s cultural and economic landscape
Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Interview potential Bigs (mentors) and Littles (mentees) to assess strengths, needs, interests, and match preferences and to make tailored matches.
Use coaching skills and regular engagement with Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians to support safe, healthy match relationship development and child development as well as progress on identified goals.
Apply child safety and risk management knowledge, policies, and procedures throughout all aspects of job function.
Adhere to the national Big Brothers Big Sisters Service Delivery Model, program standards, and BBBSNM Program Manual.
Enter complete and accurate information into case management database in a timely manner, using proper grammar and construction for narrative sections.
Assess match relationships for any potential concerns or challenges as early as possible and, with supervisor’s guidance, coach parties and intervene as needed toward successful resolution.
Distribute and collect periodic surveys on youth outcomes, mentoring relationship strength, and ongoing support needs.
Work collaboratively with team to assure fidelity to program standards while using flexibility and creativity in meeting match and family needs.
Help families identify and connect with additional community supports as needed.
Plan and organize activities for matches.
Attend agency events to support families and program growth.
Travel throughout Taos, Penasco, and surrounding counties to support BBBSNM programs and matches; occasionally travel to other regions served by BBBSNM for events or coverage.
Work collaboratively with the BBBSNM team to support high-quality, one-on-one mentoring throughout the service areas.
Meet with supervisor(s) on a regular basis to provide updates on program and allow for needed support.
Identify opportunities to raise public awareness of BBBSNM’s one-on-one mentoring services.
Set up and manage informational booths at events as determined or approved by the program manager.
Identify, develop, and manage relationships with private sector, government, and/or tribal partners throughout assigned communities to help meet volunteer recruitment goals.
Work closely with school districts to keep and grow school-based programs; this includes obtaining and keeping MOUs within individual schools.
Through community and school relationships, help identify children who will benefit from a mentor; respond to initial inquiries from families.
Ensure a smooth transition from initial inquiry through child enrollment, matching, and match support.
Through community relationships, conduct general and targeted recruiting of volunteer mentors to match with children based on their preferences, interests, and needs.
Assist with responding to inquiries from potential volunteers.
Ensure a smooth transition from initial inquiry through volunteer enrollments, matching, and match support.
Collaboratively with BBBSNM team, grow high quality programming in Taos and Penasco and surrounding counties and support such growth across BBBSNM service areas.