Mentoring Coordinator

The Job

Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP) is seeking a passionate and motivated professional to manage a wide array of year-round mentoring related activities and services for students at the District of Columbia’s Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC). Specifically, the Coordinator will helm MCIP’s mentoring program and be responsible for the recruitment of mentors and mentees, including marketing, application review, interviewing, screening, and matching mentors and the school’s students. The coordinator is responsible for the training of mentors and mentees so that all parties have appropriate expectations for the relationship and program policies and procedures. The coordinator will facilitate monthly speaker meetings including planning, logistics, and evaluating; monitor and support the mentor-mentee relationships; facilitate end of year activity in the junior year and closure activity in the senior year. The coordinator will also schedule, coordinate and attend at least one college visit and one workplace visit per academic year and ensure that policies and procedures are followed, while actively working to refine and grow the program.

Since 1981, through its innovative school-based programs and services, MCIP has championed the hopes and aspirations of a generation of young people of color from historically and systematically marginalized communities, including immigrants, on their paths to college and thriving careers. MCIP dares to reimagine and commit time, talent and treasure to a more just society that values every child and, through a network of committed donors and strategic partners, strives to create life-affirming opportunities that help young people and their families, allowing our students to thrive and achieve their full potential. This year, MCIP will reach more than 2,000 “at-promise” students and families throughout the District of Columbia.

You have outstanding communication skills, technical savvy and care deeply about empowering low-income students, who are mostly first-generation college aspirants, to prepare for and succeed in college and their chosen careers. You are adept at understanding and conveying complexity, nuance, and enthusiasm. You are inquisitive, proactive, and have impeccable attention to detail. You have experience in building relationships, conveying impact through your writing, and making the case for investment and partnership. You enjoy playing a crucial role in a small, highly collaborative team but are also comfortable working independently and taking ownership of projects.

There is an urgent need for a different kind of mentoring program for students at CHEC who often lack the social connections, community assets and access to high quality professional mentors that they will need to develop their full potential. Additionally, the college process can be incredibly daunting for families unfamiliar with the complexities of researching, applying and funding a college education. Historically, CHEC students have often attended affordable colleges that were closer to home with the expectation of supporting their families while at college. Unfortunately, the majority of colleges that CHEC students attend rarely offer sufficient financial aid to ensure successful graduation.

MCIP seeks support to establish an enhanced mentoring program to serve the academically extraordinary students at CHEC who seldom apply to selective colleges that they would otherwise quality for. This is despite the fact that selective institutions typically cost them less, owing to generous financial aid, than the two-year and nonselective four-year institutions to which they actually apply. The mentoring program would assign a professional mentor to each student and support them through SAT test preparation, college guidance and financial aid support and high intensity academic services. The proposed outcome would be increased student enrollment in selective colleges.

• Operations include, but are not limited to, actively recruiting and coordinating services for mentees; recruiting, training and screening mentors; appropriately matching mentors with mentees; providing follow-up support once each match is made; reserving meeting space and managing training session logistics, developing curriculum and training materials, facilitating the sessions, and processing the training evaluation forms; planning life skills workshops; planning and implementing a community-based activities program; coordinating with the implementation of targeted services and programs (including academic support services, internships, and community service community service opportunities); planning special activities for students on the waiting list; and celebrating the valuable support of volunteers.

• The Coordinator is responsible for documenting, maintaining and implementing the work of the Mentoring Committee. This includes facilitating meetings, drafting minutes, tracking duties and responsibilities and providing regular updates.

• We know from experience that an affirming school culture and climate directly affects student learning and engagement as well as college aspirations and preparation. The Coordinator will have high expectations for all students and will regularly design and promote college-going experiences, such as college visits, financial aid workshops, speaker series, etc.

• The Coordinator will support and collaborate with CHEC’s principal and appropriate staff and departments to ensure that all mentees receive comprehensive supports which may include but not limited to: career development, academic support, health care needs, etc.
• The Coordinator will attend and contribute to planning meetings with the counseling staff and members of the personal growth center team in furtherance of the mentoring work.

• Responsible for ensuring that all mentors and adult service providers are appropriately screened and successfully go through DCPS’ background clearance and vetting process prior to contact with students.
• Responsible for ensuring that all relevant clearance records are maintained and updated as needed.

• Evaluate program, maintain appropriate records, and monitor academic, social, and behavioral progress of youth to track participation, growth, and areas of need
• Complete grant reports and ensure all grant requirements and goals are met
• Assist the Executive Director/Development Office develop grant proposals and undertake fundraising activities to secure additional resources

• Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree and experience in the areas of youth development, volunteer management, social work, or other related fields and ability to work with a diverse group of adults, youth and families.
• Bilingual/fluency in Spanish is a strong plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment with precision and flexibility.
• Personal dedication to the quality of work produced and a high level of accountability.
• Comfort in a team-oriented environment with open communication and inclusive decision-making.
• Availability and willingness to work regular evening and weekend hours is required to be accessible and supportive to mentees.
• Strong verbal/written skills and computer/database proficiency are required.
• Successful candidates will be passionate about the MCIP mission; positive, adaptable, team-oriented, proactive, and highly skilled at building strong and enduring relationships.