Professional Mentor "Friend" – Colorado Springs, CO

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 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.

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

Working Hours and Conditions:

This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Due to the nature of a Friend’s role, the work hours are somewhat non-traditional, and may include late afternoon, evening, and weekend work.  

• We recognize that each Friend’s daily work schedule will vary due to the unusual nature of the role and the needs of the individual children being served. 
• The program requires that you see each of your assigned children both in and outside of school and/or daycare, for an average of four hours each week, although how you accomplish that is at your discretion within established program guidelines.
• Friends must be comfortable actively engaging in activities with youth in community settings such as parks, libraries, and schools.

As part of Friends’ work with youth, they are required to transport children in their personal vehicles as required for mentoring activities. Children’s car seats and mileage reimbursements are provided. Friends are required to maintain a current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.

Benefits

Friends of the Children – Colorado cares about the health and well-being of our employees 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.

Salary Range

• $46,000 - $50,000 annually  

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Job Closing: When filled

Cover Letter:  Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be a Professional Mentor at Friends of the Children - Colorado! 

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

To learn more about Friends of the Children - Colorado click here!