Description

About The Organization

The Governor's Prevention Partnership (The Partnership) actively supports Connecticut's youth by focusing on preventing underage drinking and substance misuse. As the Connecticut affiliate of MENTOR, the organization plays a pivotal role in supporting youth mentoring initiatives across Connecticut. The Partnership works collaboratively with businesses, community groups, educators, and families to create safe and supportive environments for young people. Their approach is about bringing everyone together to share knowledge and resources, making sure that young people have the guidance and support they need to make healthy choices and build a promising future.

At The Partnership, we are deeply committed to our core values that prioritize the success of Connecticut’s youth. Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion shapes every aspect of our work, ensuring that our efforts effectively meet the diverse needs of the communities we champion and serve. We stand firm in our commitment to provide inclusive and comprehensive support that guides young people toward a positive and healthy future. Our core values are the foundation of our strategic approach, influencing every decision and action we undertake in our mission to support Connecticut's youth.

SUMMARY

The Associate Director MENTOR CT is tasked with leading and enhancing School-Based Mentoring initiatives. This role involves close collaboration with MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership and focuses on expanding the impact and efficiency of mentoring programs within schools across Connecticut. Key responsibilities include overseeing the development and implementation of school-based youth mentoring programs, enhancing the capacity of schools to provide high-quality mentoring, and ensuring adherence to quality standards through training and technical support. The Associate Director is also responsible for managing all aspects of program quality and performance, including the recruitment, screening, matching, monitoring, and support of mentor-youth relationships, as well as communicating effectively with schools. This position oversees the entire scope of School-Based Mentoring services.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Advocacy and Promotion of Caring Adult-Youth Relationships 

1. Assess current status of mentoring in Connecticut, including gaps in adherence to quality standards and current trends
2. Contribute to strategic leadership for connection to caring adults based on student needs and trends
3. Develop and launch school-based mentoring resources, including web-based tools, to support local programs
4. Remain up to date on best practices for mentoring programs and research about the effectiveness of youth mentoring
5. Maintain working relationships with key corporate mentoring program supporters and providers
6. Support the facilitation of an annual recognition event for corporations, businesses, and key stakeholders in support of the expansion of mentoring opportunities
7. In collaboration with the Director of External Affairs, create and maintain working relationships with assigned corporate supporters to foster team member engagement and opportunities through presentations (i.e.: Lunch and Learns) that increase awareness on current trends and challenges youth face in Connecticut
8. Participate and present at regional and national conferences, forums and summits

Manage School-Based Mentoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Services

1. Develop and manage all mentoring related training and technical assistance resources for programs, schools, corporations and businesses. 
2. Ensure facilitation of the Elements of Effective Practice Operational Standards and Advanced Trainings and Technical Assistance for mentoring practitioners
3. Management of National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) TTA requests, and external TTA consultants and ensure effectiveness of all technical assistance opportunities 

MENTOR CT State and Local Partnership Development

1. Manage the partnership with MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, ensuring that national resources and materials are effectively adapted and utilized at the local level
2. Under the direction of the Co-President, Chief Program and Administrative Officer, represent The Partnership in local, regional, and national mentoring events/opportunities
3. Coordinate with MENTOR / National Mentoring Partnership to generate opportunities for resource sharing and collaboration, and provide leadership on the National Mentoring Advisory Council if and when selected
4. Ensure “on the ground” relationships with diverse constituents, including superintendents of schools, key stakeholders involved in mentoring in state agencies and communities, etc. to ensure quick mobilization for grant submissions
5. Contribute to the implementation of moves management systems to track and document school-based mentoring program census and program enhancements and resulting youth outcomes

School-Based Mentoring Program Management and Implementation

1. Design new and innovative school-based mentoring programs/initiatives for grant and program expansion opportunities including mentoring strategies that address challenges such as chronic absenteeism, social and emotional learning, and student mental health and wellbeing
2. Launch and manage new workforce development and higher education school-based mentoring initiatives
3. Develop, implement, and manage school-based youth mentoring initiatives directly facilitated by The Partnership
4. Increase awareness of the value of quality standards (new version) and correlation to positive youth outcomes
5. Ensure adherence to the highest quality standards in mentoring efforts, providing ongoing training and technical assistance to school staff and mentors
6. Communicate regularly with school representatives to coordinate efforts and enhance program delivery 
7. Convene and facilitate quarterly regional school-based mentoring roundtable meetings to share resources and best practices, promote networking and professional development opportunities
8. Provide Training and Technical Assistance via the NMRC to schools-based mentoring programs

Select, Train, Supervisor Team Members and Professional Development

1. Create workplans and professional development plans for supervised team members
2.  Assign job duties, manage team member performance and daily activities to ensure maximum efficiency in achieving deliverables
3. Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching and in-real-time feedback and guidance to team members

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES:

1. Master’s Degree in field of social work, human services, youth development or related field or equivalent professional experience
2. Minimum 7 years’ experience in program management and staff supervision, preferably in a nonprofit or related setting
3. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in delivering advanced training and technical assistance (consulting) 
4. Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, conceptualize and develop programs and manage projects and staff; excellent skills in organizing and managing multiple priorities
5. Strong writing and oral communication skills; skills in use of advanced technology desired
6. Demonstrated customer engagement and service delivery skills
7. Able to command the respect and trust of external constituents, customers, Board members and team members and model a high standard of integrity and accountability
8. Experience in the selection, training and supervision of direct reports
9. Experience in evaluating the work of others 
10. Some night and occasional weekend work is required
11. Ability to attend work related events, which may account for 20% of time. 
12. Must have transportation, a valid Connecticut driver’s license and be able to travel throughout Connecticut. Some out-of-state travel required, as well as occasional evenings or weekends

WORK CONTEXT

37.5 hours per week with flexibility, some evenings and weekends as needed. This is a hybrid work model with 50% of work time in the office. The Partnership will provide the necessary equipment: laptop, printer, and office supplies to work remotely. The team member must have access to internet and cell phone to work remotely.

Physical Requirements

The job requires sitting and utilizing a computer daily and using other office equipment such as copiers, postage machines, and visual display equipment on an as needed basis. The job requires occasionally lifting up to twenty pounds to transport materials to and from meetings events and trainings. The work environment is such that deadlines may fluctuate in accordance with project needs or constraints. Stress may occur when managing priorities across multiple projects and meeting deadlines.