Lead Robotics Mentor

Location: Pablo Center

Reports To: STEAM Program Manager

Status: Part-Time, *5-25 hours per week

Schedule Note: Position begins at 5 hours per week from January-May 15 to train under the current Lead Mentor, increasing to 25 hours per week beginning May 18, 2026.

Pay Rate: $17-20 per hour, commensurate with experience

Position Overview

The Lead Robotics Mentor is responsible for providing leadership, instruction, and oversight for Pablo Center’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams. This role supports program delivery by mentoring students, coordinating team activities, and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. The Lead Robotics Mentor plays a significant role in fostering STEM engagement and developing students’ skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and technical disciplines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Mentorship

• Lead robotics programming for FLL (grades 6–8) and FRC (grades 8–12).
• Provide instruction and mentorship in engineering concepts, programming, design processes, and team strategy.
• Promote an inclusive, collaborative, and student-centered learning environment.

Team Management and Coordination

• Assist with planning and implementation of practice schedules, build seasons, competitions, and outreach activities
• Maintain effective communication with students, families, volunteers, and internal staff.
• Support logistics management, including equipment oversight, registration tasks, and travel coordination.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure student and mentor adherence to FIRST Robotics safety standards and Pablo Center policies.
• Provide or facilitate required safety instruction and monitor safe behavior in workshop and event settings.

Community and Outreach

• Represent Pablo Center’s robotics programs at competitions, community events, and partner engagements.
• Support outreach initiatives and help build relationships with regional robotics teams and external partners.

Financial Oversight & Fundraising

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to manage budgets and track program expenses.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in STEM education and youth mentorship.
• Experience in robotics, engineering, programming, or related technical disciplines.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, volunteers, and staff.
• Availability for evening and weekend practices, as well as multi-day travel for competitions.
• CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain.
• Successful completion of a background check.
• Clean driving record and ability to operate a 15-passenger van or similar vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous involvement with FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics Competition, or comparable youth robotics programs.
• Familiarity with LEGO robotics kits (e.g., EV3, Spike Prime) and/or FRC systems (mechanical, electrical, programming, CAD, or strategy).
• Experience leading teams, coordinating projects, or supervising youth activities.

Work Schedule and Environment

• Work primarily takes place on-site at Pablo Center, with required evening and weekend availability.
• Communication with team members and partners may involve email, messaging platforms (Slack), phone, and text.
• Occasional travel is required to attend competitions and events.

FLL (Grades 6–8):

• FLL practice schedule

Preseason: August student interviews (evenings Monday-Thursday for a designated period)

Season: September-January **with the possibility of extension based on competition advancement Monday and Wednesday 5:30-7:30pm, Saturdays 10-Noon) Competitions: Oct-Feb *Outreach and competition schedules vary

FRC (Grades 8–12):

• FRC practice schedule

Offseason: May-July, typically Tuesday/Thursday evening and a few Friday daytime events possible. Potential 1-2 day offseason competitions with travel.

August Robotics Competition hosted at Pablo Center (Leviathans Robotics Rampage): Beginning to mid-Aug with longer hours days during the Fri/Sat event (approx Aug 15/16)

PreSeason: October-December Tuesday/Thursday evenings

Kickoff: Typically the first Saturday in January

Build/Competition Season: January-April Tuesday/Thursday evening and Saturdays 9am-5pm *additional evening possible Competitions: Feb-April, June/July/August *Outreach and competition schedules vary