BEST KIDS™ MENTORING PROGRAM

Peer Group Leader and Mentor Coordinator Job Description

The mission of BEST Kids, Inc., a nonprofit IRS 501(c)3 agency located in Washington, D.C., is to train and actively support mentors who provide a positive, consistent and caring adult relationship that will guide and inspire youth who live in group and foster homes. BEST Kids Mentoring Program is guided by the belief that all children are “talented youth” and encourages them to discover and develop their unique skills and abilities. Starting with children in first grade and continuing, as needed, to at least the age of eighteen, BEST Kids Mentoring Program will enable the youth to develop a positive sense of self; to acquire teamwork and group social skills; and to become productive members of society.

The Mentor coordinator implements the foster care youth mentoring program as awarded to BEST Kids, Inc. by the United States Department of Education (ED). This is a community based program which matches adult volunteer mentors with boys committed to the District of Columbia due to a finding of abuse or neglect. The program is supported by, the District of Columbia’s Child & Family Services Agency (CFSA) under a Volunteer Mentoring Partnership dated July 27, 2004 (VMP). To support the one-to-one mentoring relationship, promote academic improvement, improve behaviors in these foster care youth the Mentor Coordinator will help develop and implement a peer group program at least once a month. The Mentor Coordinator ensures program quality and performance related to recruiting, screening, matching, monitoring, evaluation and closing the relationship with the mentor and child, and communicates with the mentor, parent/guardian, and child throughout the mentor relationship.

Reporting to the Program Director, the Peer Group Leader and Mentor Coordinator is responsible for implementing all aspects of BEST Kids™ mentoring program, and will carry out the responsibilities of the position as defined below. Additionally, this position will perform the duties of the Program Director in the Director’s absence.

Duties

• Have expert knowledge of mentoring program policies and procedures and work to establish written policies and procedure.
• Successfully implement BEST Kids™ Mentoring Program pursuant to a grant with the Department of Education and our VMP with CFSA.
• Develop and manage relationships with schools, training centers, and community-based organizations.
• Build strong “working” relationship with mentors and caregivers.
• Oversee inquiry and orientation process to ensure excellent public relations and customer service.
• Help create and oversee implementation of an ongoing mentor recruitment plan, including development of an annual recruitment and quarterly activity plans, development and distribution of program marketing materials, presentations to targeted organizations, and ensuring a presence at key community events, etc.
• Recruitment goal is 12 volunteer mentors a year willing to commit to an average of 10 hours a month of mentoring, weekly contact and a two year commitment.
• Perform and oversee participant screening, training, matching, support and supervision, recognition, and closure activities.
• Oversee implementation of mentor/mentee peer group events at least one times a month for each 24 children served.
• Help plan recognition activities for program participants, with at least one formal appreciation event for the mentors each year.
• Implement program evaluation activities, including the completion of the monthly evaluation reports on a timely basis and in a professional manner.
• Maintain the mentee files to include, among other items report cards, Mentor Questionnaires, Youth Surveys, caregiver interviews, mentor interviews, completed assessments forms by the parent/guardian, teacher and the mentor, contact information by BEST Kids with caregiver, social worker, mentor and child.
• Attend regional and national conferences to increase knowledge of mentoring program and best practices.
• Complete other duties and activities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in social work, psychology, and/or education, preferred.
• Two or more years experience in mentoring and youth development, working within community organizations and/or schools preferred.
• Five or more years experience working with youth and leading groups of children, highly desired.
• Very strong organizational, writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity and flexibility are essential in assuming significant responsibility.
• Experience working in racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse urban communities preferred.

Compensation

A very competitive salary is available.

Applications

A letter of application and résumé must be submitted to: BEST Kids, Inc. 4606 Sheriff Road, N.E., Washington, DC 20019-3703, faxed to 202,478.5131 or e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minorities and Women Encouraged To Apply