Mentor Coordinator (High School Programs)

Full Time and Part Time Available!

Mentor Coordinators are part of the M² Guided Mentoring program, a two-tiered, cross-age Mentor-in-Training program that provides high school students with the tools, resources, and confidence to provide mentorship to elementary school-aged youth. Throughout their experience, Mentor Coordinators serving in a part time capacity provide mentorship and guidance to high school students.

The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting the dismantling of other systemic inequities. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization.

Objectives of Service as a Mentor Coordinator:

• Foster a bonded, positive, and supportive community of high school aged mentors, elementary aged mentees, parents, and community partners.
• Build unique relationships with each of your high school mentees.
• Ensure each high school mentor is prepared, trained and ready to provide a safe and culturally appropriate experience to elementary school aged mentees.
• Ensure DREAM high school mentors have a strong handle on the four curriculum themes: mentoring, identity, meaning & purpose, and sense of place.
• Facilitate development of DREAM high school mentors’ organizational and time management skills.
• Ensure DREAM youth and families have agency over their DREAM experience.

The Experience of Service as a Mentor Coordinator:

• Person-to person communication and support, both in person and potentially online, will be a major component of successful service.
• The Mentor Coordinator will communicate monthly, at minimum with caregivers, weekly with mentors, and quarterly through a local advisory board meeting.

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to the entire service term.
• Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
• Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
• Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
• A passion for supporting the ongoing work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• A dedicated room/space to supplement completing your service that is not at a DREAM-supported site.
• An internet connection capable of easily handling Google Workspace apps and specifically, a Google Hangout/Meet.
• Access to resources necessary to support your telework/service experience (electrical power outlet to keep devices charged, reliable wifi connection that can connect with our cloud-based softwares).
• Ability to regularly meet in person with your team or your service assignment in their assigned location (including responsibility for transportation to and from).
• Access to a reliable phone.
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.A. due to AmeriCorps requirements.
• Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service OR be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent OR not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant (and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award) OR obtain a waiver from the Corporation OR be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis
• Members must agree to the following Criminal History Checks to be performed in order to serve as an AmeriCorps Member: NSOPW (Public Sex Offender) Check, Statewide Criminal Repository Checks (for State of Service and State of Residence), and FBI fingerprint-based Criminal History Check. The member is aware that that their identity must be verified with a government-issued photo ID. The results of these checks will be kept confidential, but could affect eligibility to serve in AmeriCorps.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Valid driver's license and insurance
• College Degree and/or Post Secondary Education Certification or Training.
• 18+ years old with a clean driving record
  
• Youth one-on-one and group facilitation experience
• Interest and investment in youth development
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Commitment to holding unconditional positive regard for DREAM youth

DREAM AmeriCorps Benefits:

• Living Stipend of provided to you in biweekly payments of
• AmeriCorps members are also eligible for (based on total annual income):
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps)
  • Child care assistance
  • Medicaid
  • Student loan deferment (forbearance)
  • Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
• Upon the completion of the service term, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award, which can be used to pay education expenses or repay qualified student loans.
  
• As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.
  
• If you engage in work-related travel outside of a commute, DREAM will provide reimbursement for mileage.

Work environment: This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included may have characteristics similar to a professional office environment, an indoor/outdoor environment with active children and students, at our rustic Camp DREAM, and within the program sites we serve. This role routinely uses computers and various softwares regularly, as well as standard office/school equipment (such as phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and printers) as well as equipment characteristic of an outdoor and indoor youth camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, activity supplies, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys).

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.
• The employee/member may occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel: Travel includes commute to high schools that are assigned and may include occasional interregional travel (visiting other DREAM geographies and for retreats and special events) during the work hours described.

AAP/EEO Statement: The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment: The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.