Mentoring Program Coordinator Role Description
We’re seeking our next mentoring program coordinator—someone who will bring in a new voice, fresh ideas, and additional perspectives. Might that voice be yours?
This is a volunteer role with a 12-month commitment.
The work is not complicated. The mentoring program coordinator's primary and most important role is matching mentors with mentees for the 10-week mentoring sessions. Arranging the 10-week mentoring sessions requires the largest time commitment in the weeks before the session begins, followed by a much smaller weekly commitment once the sessions are up and running. Past coordinators have said the experience is fun and satisfying. The coordinator will rely on a few practical skills necessary for any freelance editor: self-direction, planning, recordkeeping, and communication. Some details are outlined below. It would be ideal for the coordinator to have participated in the program as a mentor or mentee before, but this isn’t required. The person coming into this role will receive materials and training before and after taking on the position.
If you’re interested (or would like to recommend someone), please email mentoring@edsguild.org.
Overview:
The primary function of the mentoring program is to connect editor mentees with mentors for one-on-one mentoring. Typically, the coordinator will recruit mentors and mentees three times per year and start sessions once a month. However, the person in this role can choose a schedule that works for them. They’ll be responsible for publicizing the program and recruiting mentors and mentees.
Primary responsibilities:
Plan the dates for each mentoring session (self-directed planning).
Remind Guild members that this program exists and is available—for free!—to Guild members, and outline upcoming dates of interest (communication).
Recruit and track information for each mentor and mentee (recordkeeping).
Maintain a waiting list for mentees (recordkeeping and communication).
Match mentors and mentees for each session, and email to introduce them to each other (communication).
Email current mentors and mentees periodically throughout an active session to check in and answer any questions (self-directed communication).
Answer questions about the mentoring program as they arise, and find answers or suggestions where needed (communication).
Solicit feedback about participants’ experience with the program (communication, recordkeeping).
Communicate with the NWEG board of directors as necessary (communication, planning).
Recruit and train the next coordinator (self-direction).
Optional activities:
- Host in-person (when safe) and online networking meetings (happy hours, online chats, etc.).
- Engage in other activities depending on your preferences (write blog posts, solicit feedback, organize mini-trainings—anything that supports mentors and mentees and sounds like fun to you).
Time commitment:
Expect to spend about 6–10 hours per month, on your own schedule. In months when recruitment is going on (under current practice, three times per year), there might be extra communication, so those months you might spend closer to 10 hours. In the other months, you may spend 6 hours or less, depending on which (if any) optional activities you decide to take on.
Benefits:
Learn and develop new organizational skills and technologies.
Meet new editors and hear new ideas.
Help fellow editors grow connections to the Guild, which strengthens our community and benefits all of us.
Use a snazzy email signature (ha!) that recognizes your contribution to the Guild, and make sure everyone knows your name.
Have fun!
Interested? Please email mentoring@edsguild.org today!