CAFA Mentor Program Manager

Position Title: CAFA Mentor Program Manager

Reports To: Associate Director of Alameda County

Location: Alameda County, this is not a remote position

Status: Full-time, exempt

About Fresh Lifelines for Youth

Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) is an award-winning nonprofit working to break the cycle of juvenile violence, crime, and incarceration. In twenty years of this work, FLY has supported tens of thousands of young people impacted by the justice system. FLY is at a critical juncture in our evolution: adding to a long history of success providing impactful intervention and prevention programs for young people, we understand that the pipeline-to-prison is a series of systems, structures and practices that suppress the ability of young people of color and other marginalized young people to thrive. We’ve set an audacious goal to do something about it: by 2030, through partnering with young people, communities, and systems, FLY will contribute to the fight for equity and justice by taking concrete steps to dismantle California’s pipeline to prison, equip 30,000 juvenile-justice and at-risk youth to transform their lives, and strengthen services for marginalized youth in California and beyond. More info at: www.flyprogram.org.

Program Summary: 

The CAFA (Court Appointed Friend and Advocate) Mentor Program is a 12-15 month program for youth who are on probation and want additional support from an adult in their communities to achieve their goals. For nearly two decades, FLY has trained and matched adult volunteer mentors with at-promise youth and youth on probation. The mentors meet weekly with the youth to support them in developing new attitudes, behaviors, and ambitions. Each mentor/mentee match has a FLY case manager for support and also attends monthly group activities organized by FLY. In partnership with the Probation Department and the courts, FLY added a court advocacy component to address the fact that youth of color were being failed at significantly higher rates than white youth. FLY’s CAFA Mentor Program helped achieve a dramatic turnaround in the failure rates. Because of this success, all mentors are now granted legal standing to act as advocates for their mentees in the courtroom and at schools.

CAFA Mentor Program Manager – Position Summary: 

The CAFA Mentor Program Manager is responsible for day-to-day managing of the CAFA Mentor Program in Alameda County and meeting of all program deliverables and outcomes, including meeting program goals in volunteer and youth recruitment, mentor/mentee matching, volunteer training, and activities. They are responsible for program deliverables for 3 direct reports, including Case Managers and a Recruitment and Events Manager. This position includes maintaining accurate, organized and up to date records of all program components.

The ideal candidate is passionate about social and racial justice, youth development, and youth voice to transform the systems that impact our most marginalized youth. They will have experience leading staff and volunteers and managing collaborative projects to create change. The candidate will have a connection to the Alameda County community and will be familiar with community based organizations. They will be confident in performance and project management to deliver effective program implementation and high quality services for mentors and youth. The candidate will have a proven ability to engage, motivate, and inspire others to action.

Position Responsibilities: 

Oversee and Manage Program Operations

• Responsible for day-to-day managing of the CAFA Mentor Program and meeting of all program and grant-mandated deliverables and outcomes, includes managing new and existing program partnerships, meeting program goals in recruitment and youth engagement, community outreach, events, stakeholder contact, program calendar etc.
• Oversee planning and logistics for program events and mentor trainings 
• Collaborate with the Evaluation and Learning Department to streamline systems for tracking of data, statistics, and outcomes
• Manage program budget, which includes managing program funds, monitoring and approving expenses made by program staff, and ensuring compliance with government and foundation grants and contracts
• Develop, revise, and document policies and procedures for program additions and modifications
• Effectively and quickly connect with and engage youth in FLY’s programs

Program Staff Supervision and Performance Management

• Hire, supervise, coach, and evaluate a team of 3 direct reports: 2 CAFA Mentor Program Case Managers and CAFA Recruitment and Events Manager 
• Lead weekly team and 1:1 meetings with direct reports to ensure cohesion among team members and provide guidance and oversight
• Support program staff through effective coaching to successfully move youth/mentors through the appropriate phases of the CAFA Mentor Program 
• Develop training plans and trainings for staff in collaboration with county leadership and the Talent team, and conduct performance reviews and professional development plans to provide staff with appropriate feedback and development support 
• Conduct regular case management and event observations to provide relevant feedback to mentors and staff

Oversee Youth and Volunteer Recruitment and Trainings 

• Lead youth and mentor recruitment in collaboration with the CAFA Recruitment and Events Manager with the goal of recruiting 30+ mentors and youth annually 
• Actively work to broaden mentor recruitment base, review current recruitment plan and adjust accordingly to the current volunteer climate
• Lead, implement, and oversee training of volunteer mentors, includes setting the tone, pace and setting a safe learning environment ensuring that trainings run smoothly and efficiently
• Design, update, and co-facilitate CAFA Mentor Program training curriculum for all prospective mentors, includes creating agendas, updating and/or creating training sessions, assigning sections to program staff; facilitate trainings with program staff
• Provide support and effective crisis management for mentors, staff, and youth before, during, and after program time, including helping mentors and staff support program youth through difficult issues such as teen pregnancy, substance use, re-incarceration, abuse, trauma etc.

Collaborate with Stakeholders and Community Partners

• Lead the programs in identifying and partnering with community based organizations or companies for the purpose of resource distribution, community building, youth/mentor recruitment, and youth-led advocacy work
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, community based organizations, and system partners to recruit youth and to ensure access to resources and opportunities for youth to elevate their voice in the community
• Participate in school, systems, and community events, meetings, and committees to understand the needs of the community in which the youth live, and to participate in opportunities to engage youth in advocacy work that aligns with the county and agency’s systems change focus
• Represent the CAFA program during court hearings and within probation meetings

Prepare Grant Reports and Program Audits 

• Compile relevant data and complete monthly, quarterly, and year-end grant reports for program funding sources
• Maintain accurate, organized and up to date records for all program and grant components
• Train and support program staff in their roles and responsibilities for audits
• Regularly audit program paperwork and youth case files for accuracy and organization

Other duties as needed and assigned.

Note: Many FLY events and activities occur during evenings and weekends and require flexibility in staff schedules. Some travel between counties will be required. Remote work will be an option when appropriate.

Compensation

This position is a full-time exempt salary role at a rate of $62,708/annually with differential pay based on advanced degree. Our Total Rewards Package also includes the following: 

• Healthcare and/or 403(b) stipend
• Mileage reimbursement 
• 10+ PTO days per year plus 12 holiday days; FLY also provides 3-4 additional "rejuvenation days off" twice per year in July and December (these days off are above and beyond your accrued PTO hours)
• 8 hours of civic engagement hours
• Annual professional development goal stipend with a portion eligible toward health/wellness needs 
• Employee Assistance Program (paid for by FLY)
• Flexible work schedules and occasional remote work days 

At FLY we have adopted a no-negotiation policy. This policy is less about not allowing for negotiation, but more about our commitment to equity. Our commitment to equity is ensuring that the offers that we make to each member of our staff is the very best offer that we have.

At Fresh Lifelines for Youth, we are committed to hiring top talent. As such, FLY will be implementing a temporary policy offering all new hires a one time signing bonus. All full-time hires will receive $1,500.00 which will be paid in their first paycheck. This amount will be prorated accordingly for part-time hires. This does not apply to seasonal or contract positions. Nor would it apply to internal lateral moves or promotions. This policy will be effective 9/15 through 3/31/22.

Our Commitment To Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

At FLY, we embrace a diversity of identities, beliefs, thoughts, and experiences. We commit to creating an organizational culture of equity and inclusion to serve our youth and communities better. FLY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive for an inclusive culture and a staff team that reflects diversity. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. We strongly encourage women; people of color, people who identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities; people with experience in the juvenile justice or criminal justice systems; and people with disabilities to apply.  Fresh Lifelines for Youth is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 263-2630 or compliance@flyprogram.org

COVID-19 Vaccination

At FLY, we are committed to the safety of our employees, clients, and all others who enter our workplace. While COVID-19 poses a threat to the health and well-being of all individuals, vaccinations can significantly reduce that threat and help protect our workplace as well as our community. As such, FLY would like to make clear that the COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment.

However, FLY does allow staff to apply for exemptions based on medical history or sincerely held religious beliefs or practices. However, this must be approved through FLY’s compliance department. If approved, employee’s will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing and must wear masks/PPE at all times. 

Additionally, FLY will allow accommodations for unvaccinated employees to perform their essential job functions so long as it does not impose either a direct threat to the health and safety of the workplace and employees; or an undue hardship on the organization.

If either of the two conditions above are not met, and the employee can not receive the vaccine, employment may be terminated. 

If you have additional questions, please contact us at (408) 263-2630 or email compliance@flyprogram.org

Applicant Strengths & Experience

The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to social, racial, and economic justice with experience in mentoring and case management and a passion for collaborating with young people to improve our community.

• Program Management Experience and Education: BA preferred, ideally in a related field. At least three years demonstrated success providing leadership to staff in a nonprofit, government, educational or private sector organization. Track record of successful program management. Experience developing creative structures of support/accountability among peers and teams. Proven administrative skills. At least three years’ experience working with underserved and disadvantaged youth is preferred. 
• Relationship Building: Ability to initiate, develop and maintain trusting relationships in a short period of time with staff, youth, parents, those representing the juvenile justice system, other key external stakeholders, and FLY volunteers. Possess the passion to energetically promote FLY’s mission and Program components to attract, develop and retain youth and volunteer participation with FLY.  
• Communication and Facilitation Skills: Exceptional listening, verbal and written communication skills; timely and professional follow-through with phone calls and email correspondence; and the ability to effectively present information in a clear and concise manner to management, program staff and community partners.
• Budget Management: Managing a comprehensive budget for all program and staffing needs, ensuring compliance with government and foundation grants and contracts.
• Performance Management and Data Analysis: Experience understanding data and how it informs programmatic changes, impacts performance management, and allows FLY to track program effectiveness.
• Implicit Bias, Equity and Inclusivity Navigation: Experience with developing, implementing and facilitating curriculum around equity, race, implicit bias, trauma, and inclusivity. The ability to provide staff and volunteers with coaching and developing on how bias, structural racism and white supremacy shows up within different systems. The confidence and emotional intelligence to maneuver through difficult conversations and feedback concerning oppressive practices and actively combating those practices. 

Competencies

• Collaboration: Able and willing to work with colleagues within own team and/or across teams to achieve FLY's mission
• Change Management: Effectively prepares for and guides teams through change and transition, both small and large
• Communication: Uses effective written and verbal communication with staff, teams, and communities served; demonstrates empathy, self-awareness, and listening skills
• Critical Thinking: Consistently identifies, gathers, and applies relevant information to complete work efficiently and effectively