Youth Service Manager/Regional Director - High School Program

The Youth Service Manager/Regional Director (YSM/YSD) for Guided Mentoring High School Programs is part of a program offered by The DREAM Program, Inc. Guided Mentoring is a two-tiered approach to cross-age mentoring that fosters mentoring relationships between high school and elementary-aged youth throughout Vermont and the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire. The program kicks off with an in depth mentor-in-training curriculum which prepares high schoolers to be effective mentors and provides a space for them to celebrate their group and self-identities, to develop a robust sense of place, and to explore their role within their homes places—which we think is a testament to all that is possible when relationships are done well. The YSM/YSD will work under the direction of the Guided Mentoring Program Director to oversee this program’s weekly curriculum and support the two tiered structure in addition to managing a number of relationships between school partners and DREAM. 

The Guided Mentoring program applies a multi-tiered mentorship design centering on high school youth, utilizing near peer mentoring both for and with our high school youth. Accordingly, this position is for those who have recent professional or lived experience with high school age youth.

This position operates in the Upper Valley region, at Windsor High School, White River Valley High School, Mascoma Valley Regional High School, and additional school sites with partnerships being cultivated. This is a FULL TIME position. 

DREAM is committed to serving our youth with culturally appropriate programming. We seek members who contribute to the diversity and excellence of ​The DREAM Program​ and who foster an inclusive environment.

Objectives of a High School Youth Service Manager/Regional Director:

• You will help foster a cohesive staff team, including fellow employees and AmeriCorps Members.


• You will implement the curriculum for high school mentors, including Elements of Effective Mentoring Practice and the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationship Framework.


• You will help navigate and guide supported mentoring and mentoring time between high schoolers and elementary students.


• You will interact with families to promote engagement with caregivers. 


• You will support and foster strong relationships between DREAM and school personnel, partners and families. 


• You will cultivate a holistic experience that goes beyond mentoring time with retreats, field trips, service learning and other out-of-school "relationship accelerators" in support of mentoring.


• You will be an integral part of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers (both AmeriCorps and others).

The Experience of a High School Youth Service Manager/Regional Director:

• You should expect to work a schedule that fits the schedule of those you are serving. This means there will be some regularly scheduled hours and some hours that are responsive to volunteers, youth and family demands. Additionally, the schedule will be a mix of daytime, evenings, weekdays and some occasional weekends. Managers/Directors will have agency over their schedule as long as it serves those they are supporting well.


• You will be engaging in person-to person communication with your team and DREAM’s stakeholders on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, both virtually and in-person.


• You will lead a “class” for mentors during their school day, 2-3 times weekly, which includes specific curriculum items and activities that have been created within the Guided Mentoring model. 


• You will attend to and support relationships with youth, families, and partners who are relying on DREAM in varying capacities on a daily basis. 


• You will participate as a member of DREAM’s employee team by attending regular meetings and driving the strategic direction of the Guided Mentoring program. 


• You will be supervising AmeriCorps member mentors, and will be checking with them on a regular basis to support their experiences and ensure that they have the skills and tools necessary to be successful in their roles. 


• You will be a part of a staff team that is passionate about mentoring, youth development, and love to have fun!!! 


• During the summers, you and the team will transition to creating and delivering activities that build engagement, enrichment and fun for youth (daily and weekly schedules will likely change), as well as supporting other DREAM programs.

Position type/expected hours of work:​ This is a full time, salaried, exempt position. The position will average 35-45 hours per week with regular evenings and occasional weekend events over the course of the year. Participation and leadership at regular multi-day retreats is required (typically up to one each quarter).

Supervisory Responsibility: ​This position supervises the team assembled to support the programs DREAM operates in the locations they are assigned. Teams may consist of AmeriCorps members, volunteers and/or full or part-time employees. You will be overseeing a cohort of high school students. Additionally, this position is responsible for the supervision of any office or program space and its assets that DREAM occupies/owns.

Work environment and physical demands: ​This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included may have characteristics similar to a professional office environment, an indoor/outdoor environment with active children and students, a community center, a classroom/campus, and the communities of our participants. This role routinely uses standard office/school equipment (such as computers, phones, and printers) as well as equipment characteristic of an outdoor youth day camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys).

This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear. The employee/member must occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel: ​Travel includes local travel (schools, colleges, partners and communities with which we work) and regional travel (occasionally visiting other DREAM geographies and for retreats and special events) during the work hours described. Out-of-the-area travel will be expected, and overnight travel will occur occasionally. Mileage reimbursement is provided.

Preferred qualifications/experience:

• College Degree and/or Post Secondary Education Certification or Training.


• Youth one-on-one and group facilitation experience.


• Interest and investment in youth development. 


• Commitment to holding unconditional positive regard for DREAM youth.


• Experience working or living in a diverse and inclusive environment with elevated, demonstrated awareness of issues of social equity and social and racial justice, and in a way that is respectful and aware of the community's experience.


• Demonstrated practice or education around serving diverse communities in an equitable manner, 


• Experience supervising and leading a staff of employees, service members and volunteers with forward thinking and strategy.


• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills.


• Experience supervising and maintaining the organizational property, office, and program space.


• Computer proficiency: comfort with Microsoft Office apps, Google's GSuite and email communication; Innovative Mentoring Systems (IMS) experience.


• Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to staff, the organization, and the self.
  

Helpful experience:

Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

A contagious energy for DREAM’s work.

Comfortable working in an outdoor environment in all seasons.

AAP/EEO Statement:​ The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment:​ The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.

Other duties: ​Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee/member for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Terms and benefits:

Total compensation value: upwards of $60,000 which includes: 

• Salary range commensurate on experience ($42,500-$52,995), overtime exempt. 


• Group Medical Insurance for the employee paid at 100% of cost the plan (no probationary period - plan is based on our current group offering in Vermont - a “bronze” plan level) 


• five weeks (25 work days) paid time off (PTO) inclusive of vacation, sick and personal days;


• eight (8) paid holidays (including six (6) single days, a winter break from December 24-January 1 and a November break);


• free access to Employee Assistance Program and its corresponding benefits;


• free access to Amazon Prime buying and streaming services;


• paid membership in position-specific professional organization;


• access to professional development opportunities;


• DREAM gear/uniforms;


• access to 3% employer match retirement plan, and


• expanded health benefits (dental and vision) with employee contribution.