LEAD Program Director
About the Buddy Program
Join our professional and fun team! We believe that a dynamic organization provides continual opportunity for growth and professional development and value supporting and investing in our employees. For 49 years, the Buddy Program has been serving youth in the Roaring Fork Valley community. We operate four programs, including one-on-one mentoring and group/experiential mentoring, known as our LEAD (Leadership through Exploration, Action, and Discovery Program). Mentor/mentee pairs in our Community Program stay together for 3.5 years, nearly twice that of national mentoring programs. Program evaluations demonstrate that the Buddy Program has helped our Little Buddies in areas of self-esteem, decision-making, academics and relationships with friends and family. The Buddy Program works with 400-450 youth and their families each year and an additional 136 adult volunteers and continues to grow to meet the large need in our local community. The Buddy Program is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Vision: We envision a thriving community in which all members are supported and connected through meaningful relationships and experiences to achieve success
Mission: The Buddy Program empowers youth through mentoring experiences to achieve their full potential
Commitment to Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion: We value, celebrate, and consciously cultivate diversity as we strive to achieve equity through the power of mentoring. Our team of staff and boards of directors embrace our Commitment to Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion, along with our mission, vision, and core values
Working Relationships: • Reports to the Program Director. This position also receives support and direction from other team members, depending on the tasks at hand • Supervises three LEAD Program Coordinators • On-going, constructive, and open collaboration between all Buddy Program Staff is essential to our team to ensure a consistent, quality-run program
Responsible For: • Oversight of the LEAD Program which includes but is not limited to Outdoor Leadership programs currently in three high school sites and four middle school sites, Moab Youth Camp, Dream Day Camp, Monthly Activities, and lunch meetings at local schools • In collaboration with the Program Director and Executive Director, oversight of any future potential expansion of LEAD programs • Management of LEAD Program Coordinators, including hiring, termination, training, annual performance plans and promotions • Within future expansion, direct delivery of new programs, potentially including but not limited to Outdoor Leadership at a middle school site and/or summer camps • Management of LEAD Program Team to ensure consistent and quality programming, including quality delivery of the Outdoor Leadership curriculum and alignment with the Buddy Program’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities • LEAD Program budget development and maintenance • Maintaining and updating the Policies and Procedures as pertaining to all programs of the Buddy Program, in partnership with the Program Director and Community Program Director ? Maintaining and updating the LEAD Trip Leaders Manual and associated policies related to backcountry travel, in partnership with the Program Director • Developing and maintaining community partnerships that support the LEAD program, including but not limited to partnerships with Aspen, Roaring Fork, and Garfield Re-2 School Districts, other youth organizations, Colorado Mountain College, USFS, BLM. Includes management of permits for LEAD trips. • Management of risk and liability within the LEAD Program, including but not limited to tasks related to insurance coverage and overseeing background check and screening practices for LEAD part-time staff and volunteers as well as communication with physician advisor • Supporting LEAD Program staff with challenging circumstances, including and especially any that might arise with youth, families, volunteers, etc. • Supporting LEAD Program staff with coverage of program delivery/client services as needed, including but not limited to covering classes and chaperoning trips • Managing and reviewing LEAD Program evaluation and service data in partnership with the Program Director and Grants and Data Coordinator • Coordinating services and supporting team with pertinent outreach pertaining to supplemental support offerings (empowerment scholarships, holiday baskets, counseling referrals, and other agency referrals) • Keeping current on certifications including, but not limited to, Wilderness First Responder ? Providing leadership within all Program and Staff Meetings • Participating in the Operations Team of the Buddy Program • Remaining up-to-date, educated, and knowledgeable in the fields of mentoring, backcountry experiential education, and youth services in order to support and coach LEAD Program Coordinators • Maintaining and updating on-line and written data files on an ongoing basis. Regular attendance at appropriate Health & Human Service Agency meetings. Attending Buddy Program sponsored activities/events and assisting with special projects as they arise • Support of events, including: Bash for the Buddies, Boogie’s Buddy 5 Mile Race, Gingerbread House, recruitment events • Other duties as needed This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Skills and Life Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree or similarly relevant life experience • Experience in related field (experiential education, outdoor education, social work, education, youth services, psychology) preferable • Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers • Experience working with youth ages 11 and up • Experience in leading backcountry trips • Current Wilderness First Responder certification required; or willingness to obtain WFR certification • Passionate about the mission of the Buddy Program • Passionate about working with youth and families • Flexible with time and duties as they evolve • Knowledge and skills for working with families who are experiencing all forms of challenges. Ability to remain compassionate and empathetic towards families, youth, and volunteers. Advanced interpersonal and communication skills • Have a “whatever it takes” attitude. • Ability to prioritize work in accordance with Buddy Program goals and priorities. Strong computer skills -Microsoft Office and experience with using a database (DonorPro or equivalent preferred). • Strong organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, efficiency, and ability to meet deadlines. Professional in daily habits, both in and out of the office. Ability to act as a good-will ambassador of the Buddy Program always • Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills preferred • Classroom management experience preferred
Time and Compensation Details: Full-time; 40 hours per week. Some nights and weekends required. This position is located in our Aspen and Carbondale (Colorado) offices and is an exempt position, and includes some flexibility to work from home. Salary range $65,000 - $75,000/year depending on experience. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation time, illness leave, personal days, volunteer hours, healthcare, vision and dental.
It is the policy of the Buddy Program to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, income level or any other characteristic protected by law. Under applicable laws, the Buddy Program employs only United States citizens and individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. The Buddy Program participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee’s Form I-9 information to confirm that they are authorized to work in the U.S.