What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Mentor position at Compass for Kids, Inc.?
Program Mentor
History
Compass was founded in 2011 as a ministry of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church to serve homeless children in Springfield Public Schools - District 186. From 2012-2016, Compass was a program of the Family Service Center, and the program expanded its initial model to serve more schools, recruited additional partners, and added the Camp Compass summer learning program and Backpack Feeding Program. In 2016, Compass for Kids became an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide academic and social-emotional support to empower children and families underserved by our community. In 2023, we piloted a middle and high school program for our Club Compass alumni, the Youth Leadership Development Program. Our vision is that all children in our community experience success and reach their full potential.
Background
Currently, Compass for Kids has three programs - Club Compass, Camp Compass, and the Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP).
1) the school-year, elementary-age, program, focuses on social-emotional learning, enrichment, and instilling a sense of belonging through consistent mentoring relationships. This program has a proven track record of improving participants’ social-emotional skills.
2) , the nationally-award winning summer learning program, prevents learning loss and closes the achievement and opportunity gaps between elementary-age low-income children and their higher-income peers through academic instruction and enrichment activities. This program, in partnership with Springfield Public Schools – District 186, has a proven track record of measurably increasing kids’ literacy, math, and social-emotional skills.
3) is a new school-year program for middle and high school alumni of Club Compass that will prepare them to graduate from high school and be ready to achieve their dreams. The YLDP does this through implementing an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum, life and job skills classes, field trips, and service learning projects.
Job Summary
Compass for Kids’ two school year programs, Club Compass and Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP), are looking for a dependable, highly-motivated individual to serve as a mentor for the students enrolled in the program.
Responsibilities
- Adhering to program guidelines and structures
- Participating in, and/or leading, social-emotional lessons using Compass for Kids’ lesson plans
- Reinforcing program expectations [as outlined by the YLDP Coordinator, Club Site Coordinator, and School Year Program Manager]
- Demonstrating positive personal and social habits and interpersonal relations with students
- Developing positive relationships with students on-site
- Setting high expectations for students and ensuring that they have a high-quality experience
- Helping students manage their behavior, when necessary
- Participating in all activities with enthusiasm and encouraging students to try new things
- Assisting with completion of both pre- and post- surveys for social-emotional learning
- Assisting with record keeping and data entry
- Transporting students (e.g. picking up students from school and transporting them to the YLDP site, driving for field trips, and also taking youth home when necessary), using their personal vehicle and/or company-owned vehicles
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:
- Apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
- Work with students from underserved populations
- Communicate with students and fellow staff and/or volunteers
- Remain calm in stressful situations
- Be flexible and adaptable
Minimum Requirements
- Age 20 or older
- At least two (2) years experience working with elementary and/or middle and high school-aged students, preferred
- Valid driver’s license, dependable transportation, and car insurance
- Ability to successfully pass a criminal background and motor vehicle record check
Compensation: This is a part-time position. The pay is $16.50/hour.
Weekly hours:
This position is for approximately 7 hours per week, as follows:
Wednesdays- 12 PM - 7 PM
Other events may be offered throughout other working hours (ie Mondays and Fridays). Some evenings and weekends will be required for special events.
This position will be in place from August 2025 through mid-May 2026. However, candidates may be eligible to work at our summer program, Camp Compass in June and July.
Reports to
School Year Program Manager
How to apply
Send a resume to: vyvyan@compassforkids.org
or by mail at:
Compass for Kids
1201 S. 4th St
Springfield, IL 62703
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $16.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $17