Student Advocate and Program Coordinator

Job Title: Student Advocate and Program Coordinator, Next Gen Mentoring

Reports to: Executive Director

Position: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Location: Dallas, Texas

About Us:

Journey Forward Mentoring provides programming and support for high school and postsecondary students that have historically lacked access to higher education. We first engage with students in high school, through our Next Gen program, pairing each participant with an adult volunteer mentor. Mentors help our students navigate high school, explore higher education and different career paths, and improve their understanding of what information, resources, and opportunities exist to better ensure their success. When our students graduate, they are invited to join Edge, our postsecondary bridge program. While pursuing their higher education, students receive continued mentoring through group coaching, participate in social gatherings to help create community and a sense of belonging, and receive a stipend to help them achieve their degree or credential.

Our programs are designed to provide a comprehensive solution to increasing access to higher education and well-paying career paths for our students. Next Gen provides high school students the tools they need to graduate from high school and be prepared for higher education. We amplify that support through Edge, which walks alongside our students as they obtain their postsecondary degree or credential. Edge builds upon the strong relationships we have established, helps our students develop 21st century career readiness skills, and provides our students with the edge to succeed.

About the Role:

Our program coordinator will oversee our students at their assigned campuses/program sites and work in connection with our Next Gen Program Manager to support our mentoring pairs. This individual will be a critical member of our team, helping us meet the needs of our students and their families, and hold a transformative role in our organization, supporting our growth so we can work with more students and further our impact in the community.

Responsibilities:

• Program Implementation: Oversee day-to-day programming of assigned programs or campuses
• Ensure Quality Programming: Work with Next Gen team to ensure students receive quality mentoring and that each student makes satisfactory progress toward program goals, including through making regular check-ins
• Student Recruitment: Collaborate with Journey Forward staff and school/partner program liaisons to develop and implement a student recruitment plan at each of our campuses
• Awareness of Student Needs: Gain and maintain knowledge of students’ interests, needs, and backgrounds
• Student/Mentor Matching: Collaborate with the matching committee to pair mentors and students
• Monitor Student/Mentor Engagement: Monitor frequency of mentoring sessions and facilitate meetings, as needed
• Campus Visits: Make weekly school visits to follow up with students and/or engage school staff/liaison
• Student Support: Provide resources and support to students on regular basis and as needs arise
• Data Collection: Update program database and spreadsheet files on a weekly basis and assist in data collection
• Develop and Implement School Activities and Events: Design and implement engaging activities and events tailored for students, ensuring they are educational, inclusive, and aligned with organization's objectives
• Parent Engagement: Engage parents/guardians in the mentoring relationship and in their students’ post-graduation plans
• Mentor Recruitment: Support mentor recruitment, the application process, and training
• Collaboration: Assist staff with other student and organization events, and other tasks
• Marketing and Social Media: Help gather stories, testimonials, and photographs for use in social media and marketing materials
• Partnership Development: Assist in identifying businesses & other partners willing to collaborate with our programs, including internships, resources they may provide, and in-kind donations
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Mindsets:

Required

• Growth mindset and dedication to continuous learning
• 1+ years working with students or relevant experience
• Bilingual (English & Spanish)
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects independently
• Comfort speaking one-on-one with students, parents, and professionals
• Comfort speaking publicly in a variety of settings or willingness to develop this skill
• Ability to produce quality work with minimal oversight
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google Suite; willingness to adapt to new technologies and platforms
• Availability to work 1-2 evenings a week and occasional weekends for student/mentor meetings and program related events (flexible schedule to offset time worked outside normal business hours)
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience working with high school and/or college students
• Strong understanding of issues affecting students of color from low-income households and first-generation college students, including the opportunity gap and access to resources
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Interest in developing Journey Forward’s social media

Mindsets

• Mission Oriented: Committed to social, economic, and racial justice
• Driven: Possesses a diverse skill set and is proactive about learning new skills
• Problem Solver: Willing to propose ideas and solutions to challenges, debate their merits, and make final recommendations
• Adaptable: Excited to work in a fast-moving small team environment where each staff person assumes multiple responsibilities while striving to achieve shared goals
• Receptive to Guidance and Direction: Ability and willingness to take direction, adapt to feedback, and work effectively within established guidelines and processes.
• Positive: Passionate, sense of humor, open to adventure, and fun

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Journey Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. People of color and LGBTQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.