Higher Achievement, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit organization partnering with middle school scholars as they pursue their ambitions, is seeking a Mentor and Volunteer Manager at the Richmond Affiliate. An ideal candidate is an engaging leader in an upbeat after school environment, can work extremely consistently and collaboratively with volunteers, internal staff, school leadership, families, and external stakeholders, and is able to recruit & engage an inspiring group of volunteers to build connection and mentorship through fun, safe and consistent structures for middle school scholars!
Summary: The Mentor & Volunteer Manager, reporting to the Director of Operations, is responsible for the smooth operation of volunteer programs within Higher Achievement. With direct oversight of affiliate volunteers (500 across all affiliates), this position is part of a collaborative team that coordinates and performs recruiting, training, engagement, and managing volunteers to support mentoring projects and initiatives that are directly related to scholar learning and outcomes. The Mentor & Volunteer Manager is the main contact for volunteers at the affiliate assigned center academy locations.
Job Details:
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Start Date: anticipated to start September 28th, 2026 for Paid Training.
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Supervisor: Director of Program Operations
- Directly Manages: Volunteers
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Works closely with: Senior Manager of Volunteers and Curriculum, Learning Directors
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Position Status: Full-Time, Exempt
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Duration: Indefinite,
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Location/Office Status: Hybrid. Richmond, VA. In-person for all center operational hours, for two in-office days and for mission critical activities and relationship building events. .
- Schedule/Hours: Works Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend availability is required.
- During Afterschool Academy program, center days (3 days a week) works on average 11:00 am to 7:00 pm schedule; on non-center days, works a standard business schedule, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm and Friday hours are 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
- During the summer, works on average Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. All hours are excluding an up to 30 min lunch break (optional).
- Travel: Candidate must have the ability to travel between main office and Achievement Center(s) on a daily basis via reliable transportation and attend events in the location area on a regular basis. Occasional weekend availability is required, as well as availability for one annual three-day overnight college trip each summer.
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Compensation: $63,000 annual salary
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Benefits:
- Medical, dental, life insurance, long and short-term disability insurances,
- Vision, critical illness and accident insurances- employee paid
- Paid holidays each calendar year
- Paid Annual Breaks and Early Closures Fridays
- Paid annual leave per fiscal year that can be used for vacation, sick, or personal days
- 403 (b) retirement plan
- Tuition Advancement funds and Professional Development funds
To Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately with resume with a priority deadline of August 24th, 12 midnight. The position will remain open until all spots are filled.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement
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Develop and implement strategies to recruit volunteers through outreach efforts, including online platforms, social media, community events, and partnerships with local organizations.
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Create engaging volunteer recruitment materials such as flyers, brochures, and online postings for center sites.
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Participate in the design and conduct orientation sessions for new volunteers to familiarize them with the organization's mission, values, policies, and procedures.
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Provide training and ongoing support to volunteers, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively.
- Communication and Support:
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Serve as the main contact point for volunteers, addressing their inquiries, concerns, and feedback professionally.
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Maintain regular communication with volunteers through email, phone calls, meetings, and newsletters to keep them informed about upcoming opportunities and organizational updates.
- Recognition and Appreciation:
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Collaborate with the LD to implement retention strategies to recognize and appreciate volunteers for their contributions, such as volunteer appreciation events, awards, certificates, and personalized thank-you notes.
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Foster a positive and inclusive volunteer culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Data & Compliance Management:
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Within the Salesforce Database, maintain accurate records of volunteer information, including contact details, volunteer hours, activities performed, and feedback received.
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Generate reports on volunteer participation, trends, and impact for internal evaluation and external reporting purposes.
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Maintain mentor weekly attendance records.
- Conduct districts clearance procedures and support mentors as they navigate the systems. Provide timely directions on the process to obtain results.
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Collaborate with other staff members, departments, and external partners to integrate volunteers into organizational activities and projects.
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Participate in staff meetings, planning sessions, and committees to ensure alignment between volunteer initiatives and organizational goals.
Center Support
- Conducts observations and provides coaching to high school readiness mentors.
- Review curriculum and modify for scholars as needed.
- Oversee mentors monthly training and host mentor lounges to promote collaboration.
- Coordinate scholar and mentor pairings, ensuring groups are properly entered on Salesforce.
- Support the creation of mentoring curriculum and mentor training.
- Serve and support center program operations as part of the contingency staffing plan
Qualifications, Skills & Abilities
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2 years' experience in youth development and background with recruitment/marketing/training
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Commitment to the mission and work of Higher Achievement
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Ability to model and maintain a positive, youth-focused center culture, including positive incentives, restorative justice, and behavior management.
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Desire to engage middle school-aged children and ability to adapt to their developmental status
- Ability to design lessons that teach curriculum in an engaging manner, applying various instruction methods such as lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and individual or collaborative projects and research
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Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage and control in group learning blocks
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and tact in high-stress situations
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Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
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Creative analytical and problem-solving skills
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Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
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Background & Clearance Check: This position requires a criminal background check prior to hire to include state/local municipalities, school district clearances and grant required checks. All clearance checks are paid by Higher Achievement
- Covid-19 Vaccinations: While Higher Achievement does not require proof, we are a proud supporter of the Covid-19 vaccination. You will be able to optionally confirm vaccination status and provide documentation of vaccination at the point of offer.
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Higher Achievement Core Values: Scholar-Centricity, Striving for Excellence, Power of Community, Voice and Inclusion, and Racial Equity
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Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Work is regularly performed in an office environment. Employee may spend long periods of time sitting, standing, and walking. Employees are required to transfer from one part of the worksite to another and climb stairs. Employees regularly lift, carry, and positions objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Position involves regular use of a computer and keyboard, telephone, and face-to-face communication in small and large group settings with adults; employee must communicate clearly and professionally in these situations. Visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond quickly to critical incidents involving students and act in an emergency. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About Higher Achievement
Higher Achievement believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We’re passionate about providing opportunities to close the achievement gap for motivated students. We’re committed to students during the critical transition to middle school by providing year-round, multi-year support for students in the 5th – 8th grades. As students prepare to graduate from our program in the 8th grade, we support their transition to successfully advance to high school programs that keep students on track for continuous education. We’re proud to share that 95% of Higher Achievement scholars graduate from high school.
Founded in 1975 in Washington, DC, as a grassroots effort to create learning opportunities for children, Higher Achievement has impacted the lives of more than 10,000 young people and currently operates Achievement Centers in Washington, DC, Alexandria, VA, Baltimore, MD, and Richmond, VA. Higher Achievement’s award-winning model of rigorous academic mentoring, individualization of services, and comprehensive academic support is guided by leading research for effective out-of-school time programs. More information about Higher Achievement may be found at: http://www.higherachievement.org.
Program Model: Higher Achievement showers our scholars with academic opportunities through a proven year-round program model that includes afterschool programming from September-May or June (depending on center) and summer initiatives such as college trips and summer meetings with all Higher Achievement families. Core programming that takes place within Afterschool Academy consists of learning blocks, mentoring, community meeting, electives and field trips.
- Learning Blocks: Scholars receive academic support, including HW help, HS application prep, or supplemental work aligned to in-school content
- Mentoring: In small groups of 3-4 scholars, scholars work with a Mentor as they complete our High School Readiness curriculum which focuses on community exploration, learning about high schools, goal setting, and high school application preparation
- Community Meeting: Scholars engage in activities, challenges, and projects focused on relationship-building and SEL skills
- Electives: Multiple times a week scholars have the opportunity to participate in enrichment opportunities that vary across sites. Examples of electives are art, yoga, chess, dance, sports, cooking and robotics
- Field Trips: Field trips are exposure opportunities for scholars and they are offered 3x during the year: fall, spring, and summer (college trip).
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Higher Achievement is a proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an workplace where opportunities are available to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a team that represents diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better we will be.
To Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately with resume with a priority deadline of August 24th, 12 midnight. The position will remain open until all spots are filled.
