Soccer Without Borders Coach-Mentor Fellow Position

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing newcomer refugee, immigrant, and Ashlee youth a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. We are seeking an outgoing, motivated, and organized individual to join our team in Oakland, CA as the Coach-Mentor Program Associate, leading program activities for the Middle School Girls Program.

About Soccer Without Borders 

Using soccer as a hook, our whole-person approach helps underserved youth develop personally, gain consistent adult mentors, build critical skills, and grow in confidence on and off the soccer field. Founded in 2006, the mission of Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is at work at our 5 U.S. programs and two international programs, serving youth who hail from more than 50 different countries around the world. While soccer is central, our program model also includes educational support, team-building, civic engagement, and cultural exchange activities. Underpinning our work are our core values of a focus on the whole person, authenticity, and a process-oriented approach.

Role of the Coach-Mentor Fellow Position

The Coach-Mentor Fellow is an AmeriCorps Position. The Coach-Mentor Fellow is a crucial member of the SWB Oakland Team. The Coach-Mentor will serve as a head coach for the Middle School Girls teams. The primary focus area of this position is to implement the SWB program with quality and attention to detail, organizing the conditions behind the scenes to ensure SWB participants have an optimal experience.

Direct Service responsibilities: 

Team Leadership (20%)  

·       Actively participate in the Oakland team through weekly meetings   

·       Oversee and maintain healthy relationships with Site Staff/Community 

·       Maintaining volunteer relationship

Direct Service (60%) 

·       Lead comprehensive, holistic, and youth-centered programming with newcomer youth throughout the year, including after-school and summer programming   

·       Direct program planning & facilitation using the 9-point practice plan and Complete Season Checklist   

·       Lead player recruitment and retention   

·       Academic monitoring and advocacy   

·       Game Preparation (including transportation coordination with Supervisor) 

·       Communicate with Schools and teachers about participants’ needs, organizing meetings with students and teachers as needed. 

·       Student & Family Engagement (including house visits and mentor matches when necessary)

Program Support (20%): The Coach-Mentor Program Associate will also play a key role in securing the inputs needed to ensure SWB Oakland can operate successfully, including: 

·       Timely Monitoring & Reporting (Attendance and Academic Reporting & coordination with SWB staff).  

·       Collect early warning indicator data and administer pre and post-surveys about student’s feelings of connectedness toward school

Required Skills and Qualifications 

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent skills 

·       Ability to communicate positively and efficiently with many audiences   

·       Excellent written communication skills, especially over email   

·       Excellent organizational skills and knowledge to prioritize tasks   

·       Ability to work independently and take initiative   

·       Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to address challenges with creative solutions 

·       Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines 

·       Commitment to the potential of all young people and the power of sport to create social change.   

·       Experience with a team sport and/or sports-based youth development organization   

Preferred Skills and Qualifications 

·       Proficiency in Spanish 

·       Driver’s License 

Time Commitment

·       The Program Associate position is a full-time (40 Hours/Week) position based at our Oakland, CA office. The typical schedule is Tuesday-Saturday. Occasionally, this position will require night/additional weekend work.