Community Engagement Lead

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Job Description

The Peninsula College Fund makes college graduation a reality for low-income, first-generation college students. Our comprehensive program includes four-year college scholarships, one-to-one adult mentors, college and career success training, and summer internship support.  

EEO STATEMENT

The Peninsula College Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

MISSION

Our mission is to empower low-income, first-generation college students to graduate and obtain a job that aligns with their career goals.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO 

Starting as a grassroots effort to support three scholars in 2005, PCF has steadily grown and today has served over 500 students and awarded over $4 million in scholarships.  PCF operated as a completely volunteer-run agency until late 2010, and currently employs a staff of 18.  

We support our scholars through four key programs:

Scholarships: Each student receives a scholarship of $3,000/year for each of the four years enrolled in a four-year college/university. 

One-to-One Mentoring: We carefully match each scholar with one caring adult who provides support, counsel, networking, and positive role modeling to help each student complete college. We provide our mentors with training and continuously evaluate and improve our mentoring program. 

College and Career Success Events: We provide all students with targeted, in-depth training events to give them the tools for college completion and career readiness.

Summer Internships: We provide internship application support for our scholars, ideally for summer internship placements.

The Peninsula College Fund is seeking a highly motivated, externally-focused Community Engagement Lead. This position will spearhead mentor recruitment, selection and onboarding, training, and mentor program strategy.  In addition, this position will work in collaboration with the Directors of College Services and Career Services to ensure that their respective teams are connecting with PCF mentors to ensure mentors and scholars are having a positive experience. The Community Engagement Lead will play an external role, attending events, spreading the word about PCF’s work and helping to generate new partnerships. The Community Engagement Lead will report to the Director of Development and Communications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

The roles and responsibilities of the Community Engagement Lead include, but are not limited to the following:

Mentor Recruitment, Selection, and Onboarding  40%

Goal:  Recruit 65-70 mentors between December 2024 through May 31, 2025

• Spearhead mentor recruitment
• Create social media posts ie LinkedIn utilizing Canva for mentor recruitment and selection process (presentations, marketing, application and interview questions, etc.)
• Establish a calendar of recruitment events and onboarding events (e.g., lunch and learns, application deadline, etc.)
• Deliver presentations at mentor recruitment events with support from Director of College Services
• Follow-up with organizations where PCF has previously recruited to maximize the number of mentor applications submitted using Live Impact and previous Lunch and Learn information
• Monitor and report the number of mentor applications submitted to ensure that PCF is on track to meet annual goal of new mentors

Spearhead mentor selection

• Review mentor applications using Smarter Select application tool in a timely manner, responding to questions and issues to maximize mentor application submission rates
• Follow-up in a timely manner with applicants whose applications are incomplete
• Interview and evaluate mentor applicants
• Conduct mentor background and reference checks
• Clearly communicate with applicants on a regular basis so that they know where they are at any given point in the process
• Once designated as match-eligible, maintain communication with match-eligible mentors (e.g., send mentor newsletters, invite to PCF events, as appropriate, add contact information to LI, etc.)
• Assist College Services team with mentor/scholar matching process

Mentor Retention  15%

Goal:  Co-coordinate a joint mentor/donor appreciation event in January/February 2025 with Development team and Events Coordinator; maintain 85% mentor satisfaction (as measured by Annual Satisfaction Survey); retain at least 85% of mentors from year to year

• With input from the College Services team and Career Services team, prepare, disseminate, and analyze results of annual mentor satisfaction survey (developed in June)
• Collaborate with the College Services team and Career Services team and use data from the annual satisfaction survey to improve mentor experience and inform mentor training, etc.
• Collaborate with College Services and Career Services staff to oversee scholar/mentor issues and assist with solving problems that arise
• In collaboration with Director of College Services and Director of Career Services, develop a system to hold College Services and Career Services staff accountable for meeting annual mentor check-in quotas (2x/year)
• Act as mentor liaison/champion for staff, highlighting mentor accomplishments and educating staff about the role mentors play in college and career success as well as development
• Recognize mentors
• Thank mentors
• Co-coordinate annual mentor/volunteer appreciation event, in collaboration with Development team and Events Lead
• Track mentor retention data annually
• Establish, manage and promote Mentor social media groups on Facebook and Linkedin to provide connectivity to peer support

Administration  12.5%

Goal:  Ensure all match eligible mentors are entered into Live Impact and are converted to active when applicable; ensure Live Impact is update and accurate at all times

• Maintain mentor database 
• Collaborate with College Services team and Career Services team to annually audit mentor records (e.g., accurately note inactive, withdrawn, match-eligible, and active mentors, job descriptions, contact information, etc.) 
• Work with the Development team to facilitate the process for mentors to donate through their employee match programs (for the time volunteered)
• Share relevant mentor job information, industries, and connections with Development team to cultivate potential development opportunities
• Collect data on mentor volunteer hours

Mentor Training  12.5%

Goal:  In FY25, deliver at least four trainings to mentors (two in fall and two in spring)

• In collaboration with College Services and Career Services teams, identify mentor training needs (including mentor roundtable discussions, Online Learning Center) and develop schedule for implementation, working around PCF’s event calendar
• In collaboration with Director of College Services and Director of Career Services, identify and/or create training resources, which can be incorporated into the LMS
• In collaboration with College Services and Career Services teams, deliver mentor training and roundtables according to schedule

Community Engagement  20%

Goal:  Identify community events (at least 20 in FY25) to attend with the objective of 1) brand recognition and 2) partnerships (e.g., funding, internships, volunteers)

• Under the supervision of the Director of Development and Communications, identify community events to attend, attend community events, and serve as PCF’s ambassador
• As appropriate, connect individuals in the community to PCF

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Qualifications

Values

• Passion for educational opportunity and equity 
• Desire to empower others through service

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement effective community engagement strategies
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach
• Excitement for working with different teams/roles and across multiple functional areas
• Commitment to fulfilling job duties with integrity and honesty, building collaborative partnerships with colleagues, and exercising sound judgment that reflects organizational values and best practices
• Proficient in Microsoft suite, Google suite, Canva, and social media platforms (IG)
• Technical proficiency in using databases and contact management systems
• Strong attention to detail and follow up

Special Requirements

• Ability to work occasional non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends
• Valid driver’s license
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

Work Environment

• We have a hands-on, collaborative, and entrepreneurial work environment.
• We believe in an inclusive work environment that fosters individual growth and team empowerment.
• While we take our work very seriously, we also like to have fun and enjoy each other’s company
• We have a sunshine committee that plans fun events for staff.

Work Location

This position is based out of our Milpitas office. Currently, staff is expected to come to the Milpitas office at least once a week.

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits – Milpitas

526 Valley Way

Milpitas, CA 95035

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary & Compensation

• Salary:  $65,000-70,000

We offer a generous benefits package: 

• Leave:  Eligible full-time employees are entitled to12 days of vacation,11 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days and a flexible work schedule when needed.  
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan.

OUR HIRING PROCESS

• We will review resumes on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• We will conduct initial phone screening interviews, one virtual interview, and one in-person interview. Candidates will be asked to complete a performance assessment.
• We would like to have the Community Engagement Lead in place by October 1.

Application Submission

Please submit application with cover letter and resume 

In your cover letter, please address the following:

• Your belief in PCF’s mission
• Why you believe you are qualified for this position
• In what areas in the “Essential Job Functions” section might you need some support?
• Where you learned of this opportunity

Only applications that include both a cover letter and a resume will be considered.

No phone calls, please. 

Application deadline open until filled.