High School Mentor

High School Mentor Summer Search, Boston

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential. Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support.

Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose.

The Opportunity

Summer Search Boston is seeking a High School Mentor to manage a caseload of approximately 40 high school students, building long-term relationships and providing regular mentoring through a combination of groups and individual conversations from sophomore year through junior year of high school. Joining a supportive program team that will serve over 400+ high school students this coming year, this hire will have the opportunity to practice Summer Search's unique approach to mentoring, prepare students for two challenging summer experiences, support post-secondary readiness and matriculation, and join a team that is committed to learning, social and racial equity, and the students we serve.

Specifically, the High School Mentor will advance Summer Search's mission through the following job responsibilities:

• Student Mentoring and Program Facilitation (60%)
• 1:1 Mentoring
• Mentor a caseload of up to 44 high school participants, building relationships and conducting regular mentoring at school, in our office or by phone.
• Utilize a unique mentoring methodology based upon adolescent social-emotional development, cultural relevance, and critical consciousness.
• Enable conversations that allow students to reflect upon the impact of identities and social/cultural context on their lives.
• Hold students accountable to year-round program participation, as well as demonstrating a personal commitment to students that results in a high level of engagement throughout their Summer Search experience.
• Monitor and promote students' academic and extracurricular participation and performance, as well as post-secondary readiness requirements.
• Communicate with students' families, especially regarding details about summer experiences and career opportunities.
• Group Mentoring
• Conduct bi-weekly group mentoring sessions for caseload of sophomores and juniors – in person.
• Build multi-year relationships with participants and cultivate their connections with one another and Summer Search.
• Create a safe community where students can be honest with each other by ensuring each student has the space to be heard and challenged respectfully and setting up physical space that is conducive to achieving the objectives of each session.
• Recognize a student safety situation and how to respond and care for both the individual student and the group.
• Observe and respond to group needs and adapt facilitation style accordingly.
• Community Engagement and Partnership (20%)
• With School and Community Engagement staff's guidance:
• Support and/or lead outreach presentations and application workshops for prospective students and provide 1:1 follow up as needed.
• Establish and nurture relationships with staff partners at your partner high school(s).
• Engage school partners proactively in supporting students and coordinating logistics.
• Respond promptly and thoughtfully to requests from school partners.
• Attend key milestone events for participants and their families throughout the school year.
• Know the resources and people available at your partner high school(s) and how these resources intersect with Summer Search.
• Connect participants to college access partner and mental health and career resources.
• Data, Caseload Management and Learning (15%)
• Ensure meticulous data collection on a…