Program Specialist

Description

About Us

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship. We believe that every child deserves a champion, and our programs connect caring adult and teen mentors with young people to ignite their potential. Our Programs are at the heart of this mission, creating meaningful relationships in schools and community spaces.

Position Summary

The Program Specialist role connects mentorship with community engagement to support youth development. By thoughtfully matching mentors and mentees, it builds meaningful relationships that help children thrive. The specialist also partners with schools, families, and local organizations to expand mentorship access, recruit volunteers, and strengthen community ties—creating a broader support network for children and families across the region.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico provides the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K plan with employer matching
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Specialist

•  Interview potential Bigs (mentors) and Littles (mentees) to assess strengths, needs, interests, and match preferences and to make tailored matches. Matches may be:
•  Community-Based or Site-Based (adult mentors matched with youth ages 5- 17)
• School-Based as part of our High School Bigs programs (high school students matched with elementary-age or middle-school age students; matches meet weekly on-site at area schools).
• Use coaching skills and regular engagement with Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians to support safe, healthy match relationship development and child development as well as progress on identified goals. Use a high level of proficiency and skill to apply child safety and risk management knowledge, policies, and procedures throughout all aspects of job function.
• Always adhere to the national Big Brothers Big Sisters Service Delivery Model, program standards, and BBBSNM Program Manual.
• Timely enter complete and accurate information into case management database, using proper grammar and construction for narrative sections.
• Assess match relationships for any potential concerns or challenges as early as possible. With supervisor’s guidance, coach parties and intervene as needed toward successful resolution.
• Distribute and collect periodic surveys on youth outcomes, mentoring relationship strength, and ongoing support needs.
• Work collaboratively with team to assure fidelity to program standards while using flexibility and creativity in meeting match and family needs. Help families identify and connect with additional community supports as needed.
• Plan and organize activities for matches. Attend agency events to support families and program growth. These often occur during evenings or weekends, requiring schedule flexibility.
• Travel throughout Albuquerque and surrounding counties to support BBBSNM programs and matches; occasionally travel to other regions served by BBBSNMfor events or coverage.
• Work collaboratively with the BBBSNM team to support high-quality, one-on-one mentoring throughout the service areas.
• Meet with supervisor(s) on a regular basis to provide updates on the program and allow for needed support.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Education:
Professional program agency staff must have a high school diploma/GED and meet one of the following criteria:

• A  documented bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field deemed appropriate by the agency, or be within six months of degree  completion
• A  documented associate degree or two years of higher education from an accredited institution in a relevant field, plus two years of related work experience (e.g., social work, counseling, child development)
• Four years of relevant work experience in related fields as defined by the agency

Additional Requirements:

• Strong communication and confidentiality skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office equipment
• Valid NM driver’s license, insurance, and access to personal vehicle
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience  with both youth and adult populations
• Familiarity with New Mexico’s cultural and economic landscape
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)