Program Specialist
Job Title: Program Specialist
Reports to: Director of Programs
Status: Exempt
Our Mission: Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley create and support one-to-one mentoring
relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our vision is that all youth will
achieve their full potential.
Job Summary:
The Program Specialist will positively impact our community through supporting volunteers,
parents & youth in our mentoring program. The Program Specialist is responsible for
maintaining contact with matches to ensure a successful and viable relationship. The primary function of this position is to ensure youth are safe and are in healthy, positive relationships with their mentors. Evening hours are required with some weekend hours required for events and activities, or as needed to reach parents, Big and Littles.
Job Responsibilities:
Essential Functions, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Manages and supports caseload through entire life of the match.
• Maintains documentation to assure accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Available on evenings and weekends to support program activities and events, as well
as to best reach clients.
Supporting Site- and Community-Based Matches
• Through scheduled in-person and telephone contact, ascertain that the elements of
child safety, match relationship development, positive youth development and
volunteer satisfaction are fulfilled, and that potential problems and barriers are
identified and addressed as early as possible.
• Document and monitor all elements of match support and supervision in a
comprehensive and professional way.
• Maintain current addresses, phone numbers, workplaces, and other
volunteer/client information in case management database.
• Assess individual information, training and support needs for each match participant
to assure a positive youth development experience for the child, and successful and
satisfying experience for the volunteer.
• Ensure high-level proficiency in applying child safety and risk management
knowledge, as well as policies and procedures throughout all aspects of the job
function.
• Conduct exit interviews, with all parties, at match closure.
• Identify match issues to prevent early closure and staff with Program Director.
Coordinating Site-Based Mentoring Program
• Communicate and coordinate with school personnel to establish mentoring
program within school; work with school staff to recruit youth to participate, and
assess individual match needs, as necessary.
• Conduct youth enrollments including child interviews, child safety education, and
enrollment processes.
• Determine matches and facilitate match meetings in accordance with the
volunteer, youth, and teacher schedules. Relay match information to
parent/guardian.
• Facilitate contact between youth and volunteer, particularly during summer months.
• Coordinate match events and year-end match appreciation party. Create and
distribute invitations to matches, procure food items, plan appropriate activities.
• Collect data of clients enrolled to include attendance, disciplinary issues, and grades
• Maintain on-going relationship between school site and BBBS Miami Valley,
including regular communication and problem-solving.
Enrollment Responsibilities
• May conduct volunteer enrollments, including individual orientations, interviews,
background checks and references.
• May conduct youth enrollments in their home including parent/guardian and child
interviews, and child safety education. Assess and refer families for alternative or
additional services as needed.
• Review all enrollment information and assessments and make
recommendations for participation in the program based on this information.
Agency Support Responsibilities
• Meet goals for new match growth, match length, support contact compliance,
and satisfaction.
• Coordinate with other staff to identify possible partners and partnerships, promote
agency events, and provide support for other efforts, as necessary.
• Utilize educational opportunities and related resources to improve services.
• Promote and maintain cooperative working relationships with other community
organizations.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs or CEO.
Job Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
• Understanding of child development and family dynamics.
• Understanding of issues/barriers that impact children and families from underserved
populations.
• Effectively collaborate with other staff.
• Ability to collect meaningful data and draw solid conclusions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Able to work independently exercising good judgment, decision-making and problem- solving skills.
• Able to succeed in a fast-paced environment required.
• Able to work with confidential information required.
• Available to work evenings and weekends on a consistent basis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills reflecting solid customer service
both in-person and via the telephone.
• Access to reliable automobile, valid driver’s license, auto insurance required.
To apply:
Email resume, cover letter and 3 professional references to Jennifer Mueller at
jmueller@bbbsmiamivalley.org. No phone calls or walk-ins please. Position open
until filled.
