Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence

Position: Career & College Readiness Advisor 

Locations: Camden, NJ 

Positions: Camden, NJ; 

Job Status: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports To: Team Leader, School-Based Mentoring

Effective Date: March 28, 2024

Salary Range: $40K - $42K 

AGENCY OVERVIEW 

JOIN A FORWARD-THINKING AGENCY THAT SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUTH ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI) is the largest BBBS agency in the state and one of the largest in the nation. Our mission is to ignite the power and promise of youth and close the mentoring gap, by creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships and strengthening the quality of the mentoring field.

You will love it here if you (1) set the bar high, (2) are intentional and thoughtful about their choices, (3) collaborate as a means to community solutions, (4) are positive, can-do, and solution-oriented, (5) embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (6) are accountable and get it done.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

The following statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. BBBSI may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Facilitate a new cohort of Mentor 2.0 matches, complementing standard School-Based (SB) programming.
• Coordinate and oversee mentoring programs across various school sites.
• Conduct weekly college readiness classroom lessons for high school mentees to prepare them for future success.
• Organize and lead 1-2 monthly evening events for mentors and mentees to foster community and support.
• Offer personalized support for mentoring pairs, addressing their unique needs and challenges.
• Cultivate a strong partnership within the school site to enhance program effectiveness.
• Be open to some evening and weekend work, with the primary workload during regular business hours.
• Attend the annual three-day Mentor 2.0 conference, requiring occasional travel.
• Employ a variety of teaching and learning strategies, including individual, group, hands-on, and contextualized instruction, as well as lecture and discussion.
• Utilize instructional technology, such as internet resources, software programs, laptops, and SMART Boards, when appropriate, to enhance the learning experience.
• Provide counseling and academic guidance to students when necessary to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

Candidates with a strong connection to the community that BBBSI serves and the Southeastern Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey area are given preferential consideration. Occasional travel to community partners, events, and conferences is required, as is some night and weekend work.

REQUIREMENTS

Academic/Educational Requirements: 

High School Diploma/GED and 4 years relevant experience or Associates Degree and 2 years relevant experience or Bachelors Degree (adjust if needed for the role)
 

Skills and Professional Requirements:

• Minimum 3 or more years professional experience in human services.

• Willingness to commit to a minimum of two (2) years in the role. 

• Passion for youth development and a commitment to BBBS Independence's mission and values

• Bilingual skills, particularly Spanish and English, preferred. 

• Demonstrated ability to work with and motivate a wide variety of diverse groups, with a preference for candidates with lived experience in racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse urban and/or recent immigrant communities.

• Attentive and active listening skills, organization, flexible thinking, ability to function well in a fast-paced environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM/Case Management packages required (Salesforce preferred)

• Flexible to accommodate job responsibilities (including ability to work evenings/weekends as required)

• Daily and dependable access to a car, valid driver's license, and meet State-required automobile insurance minimums preferred

• Other as appropriate to role

Ability to commute to office and/or sites at least 3 days a week is required.

COVID-19 vaccinations or medical/religious exemptions are required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing work in an office environment and include the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: the ability to work independently; remain sedentary for extended periods of time (6+ hours per day); lift 10-15lbs; push, pull, bend kneel, as needed for normal operations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BENEFITS 

BBBSI offers a robust benefits package including but not limited to paid vacation and PTO, 403(b) retirement plan, medical/dental/vision options, telemedicine, employee assistance program (EAP), life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent day care, commuter benefits-parking & transit). Please note that some of these offerings may require full-time employment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

If interested, please apply with resume and cover letter.  Only those applicants believed to be viable candidates for this opportunity will be contacted. No phone calls or 3rd party solicitation please.

WHO SHOULD APPLY 

At BBBSI, we serve many youth annually in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey. Our aspiration is to develop an organization that reflects our constituent base. We embrace justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). We recognize, affirm, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all of our stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. BBBSI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, first and second-generation immigrants, and people from low-income families, or any legally protected factor.  Please review our JEDI Intentionality Statement.