SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION MENTORING COORDINATOR

The Substance Abuse Prevention Mentoring Coordinator plays a key role in the Programs Department by providing substance abuse prevention information and training to youth, mentors, parents/guardians, staff and community members.  This position reports directly to the Director of Programs and is funded through the Improving Tomorrow: Prevention Focused Mentoring grant in collaboration with Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS).  Goals of the project include:

·         Providing youth mentoring services to youth ages 5-18

·         Distributing substance misuse and problem gambling prevention information to program and community members

·         Establishing an Advisory Council to help guide youth mentoring services, and

·         Supporting sustainability of youth mentoring services

The project period runs from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa works to defend, ignite, and empower potential in youth through strong, enduring, and professionally supported mentoring relationships between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles), ages 5 through 18, in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties.  BBBSIA partners with parents/guardians, volunteers, schools, donors, and others in the community to be accountable for helping youth in our program achieve:

1.) Educational success,

2.) Avoidance of unhealthy behaviors, and

3.) Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships.

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY:

·         Contract, grant-funded – 40 hours per week; eligible benefits include generous PTO, 11 paid holidays, medical and dental, vision, life, disability and other voluntary insurance, and 401(k) matching

·         Non-exempt – compensated on an hourly basis and is overtime eligible

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary duties of the Substance Abuse Prevention Mentoring Coordinator are to ensure all goals and objectives of the grant are met, which includes developing and administering training content around substance abuse and problem gambling prevention, among other things.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Required duties may include:

·         Developing, administering, and evaluating substance abuse prevention trainings that support the requirements and objectives of the grant

·         Creating and promoting quarterly health promotion activities (ex. Newsletters, flyers, press releases, podcasts, etc.) that provides age-appropriate content to mentors and mentees

·         Promoting Your Life Iowa as Iowa’s integrated helpline by providing a specific number of presentations throughout the contract period

·         Providing resources and information regarding substance abuse and problem gambling prevention to BBBSIA staff and matches on a regular basis

·         Serving as a liaison to the BBBSIA substance abuse prevention Advisory Council which includes holding quarterly meetings with the council

·         Develop strategies and delivery plans for sustainability of the mentoring program which may include resource development and capacity-building efforts

·         Securing surveys from match parties to measure impact of participation

·         Provide ongoing support to all match parties including the volunteer, parent, and child to ensure adherence to program guidelines, child safety and to offer appropriate coaching

·         Connect families to other resources in the community as appropriate

·         Work collaboratively with other members of the community-based team (match support, child enrollment, and volunteer enrollment) to ensure successful completion of grant requirements

·         Monthly reporting to Director of Programs about the program’s progress

·         Other duties as assigned by Director of Programs in support of the organization’s mission

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

·         Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Human Services preferred; Bachelor’s in a related field required; some training around substance abuse prevention preferred

·         Mission driven about youth development, mentoring, and serving a diverse community

·         Passionate about Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission

·         High level of proficiency with MS Office suite (particularly Word, Outlook, and Excel) and competency to learn technology platforms used by BBBSIA

·         Ability to work individually while positively contributing to a team environment

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills

·         Ability to use time effectively and focus on details while meeting agency goals related to quality and safety

·         Work a flexible schedule according to agency needs which may include some evening hours and occasional weekend hours

·         Strong relationship building skills

·         Pass Department of Criminal Investigation, Department of Transportation and Child Abuse Registry background checks according to organization’s standards

·         Possess a valid (United States) driver’s license

COMPETENCIES NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITHIN BBBSIA:

·         Inclusive, resilient, resourceful, with a service-to-others mindset

·         Innovative thinker and problem solver

·         Strong work ethic, initiative, time-management, and organizational skills

·         Excellent interpersonal skills with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders

·         Displays a sense of cultural competence and has experience practicing inclusivity amongst a variety of populations

To Apply: 

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Tony Leo

Director of Programs

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa

tleo@bbbsia.org 

Job Type: Contract, grant-funded, 40 hours/week, benefits included (PTO, health & wellness)

Salary: $50,000

Equal Employment Opportunity

BBBSIA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local laws. 

BBBSIA is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.