Program Specialist, Community-Based

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee

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Job Summary

JOB TITLE: Program Specialist, Community-Based (Match Support, Sports Buddies focus)         

REPORTS TO: Manager of Community-Based Programs

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: No

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt, Salary

LOCATION: Hybrid with on-site requirement in Nashville, TN

BIGGER AND BETTER TOGETHER

About Us

For over 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee has served young people in the Middle TN region. Our work supports our belief that every child has the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and youth (Littles). Through our commitment to quality, innovation, and the passion we have for our work, we develop and sustain positive, life-changing relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of our youth and the adults who mentor them.

Our Mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. As noted by our Vision, we are driven by a future in which all youth achieve their full potential.

what drives us

Our mission is fueled by the values that guide our work every day. We build strong, trusted relationships that allow us to make a greater impact in our community. We take ownership of our commitments, striving for excellence and continuous improvement. We embrace evolution—approaching challenges with curiosity, optimism, and a solutions-focused mindset. Together, these values shape our culture, drive our success, and ensure we deliver on our vision for the youth we serve.

 

WE PRIORITIZE THE WELL-BEING AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF OUR TEAM

We know teams perform at their highest when they feel supported and that they belong. Each of our team members brings unique perspectives and skills, and we are committed to building a culture where voices are heard, relationships are valued, and everyone has the opportunity to do meaningful work. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN, you will be inspired by talented, passionate colleagues who will motivate you to do and be your best. We have created an environment centered on meaningful and supportive connections, where team members are seen and respected not just as employees, but as people.

We are honored to have been selected as one of the Nonprofit Time’s Best Nonprofits To Work For in 2024 and 2025 as well as being named a 2024 Inclusive Workplace by the Best Companies Group and COLOR Magazine. We are bigger and better together! 

About the Role

Each employee at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee helps extend the agency’s mission in particular ways, as outlined in the position description. The essential functions of the position include but are not limited to the following:

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks a Program Specialist who will thrive in a growing organization that is dedicated to positively impacting more youth through high quality, 1-to-1 mentoring. In this role, you will support and strengthen mentoring relationships between youth and positive adult mentors. Your coaching and guidance will help empower and inspire youth to reach their full, inherent potential, especially youth of color who are disproportionately impacted by systemic barriers. Primary responsibilities will include providing regular, ongoing support to new and existing BBBS matches to ensure child safety, positive outcomes for youth, healthy and satisfying relationships between children and volunteers, and a strong sense of affiliation with BBBS.  

Our ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, be organized, provide a positive customer experience, be able to multitask, and have a passion for improving the lives of young people and our underrepresented youth. This team member will be passionate about and able to engage mentors and community partners from diverse communities, especially within communities of color. Evening and some weekend hours are required. People from the communities we serve are especially encouraged to apply.  

Beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of the role, we expect team members to demonstrate a commitment to excellence and consistently reflect our agency’s values in how they show up, collaborate, and make decisions.

Job Responsibilities

Day-to-day: 

• Manage a caseload of volunteer adults (Bigs) and youth (Littles) who have been paired in a mentoring relationship, primarily those that are part of the Sports Buddies Program. Through regular support calls, continually assess the match relationship focusing on: child safety, match relationship development, positive youth development and volunteer and family satisfaction.  
• Identify, address, and resolve existing and/or potential match challenges through regular coaching conversations and in-person meetings.  
• Provide ongoing coaching, support, and training to help develop and sustain lasting match relationships that have a positive impact on the youth served.  
• Administer surveys to evaluate mentoring relationship quality and youth outcomes, using this information to shape coaching and support of the match 
• Maintain up-to-date, accurate, and detailed documentation and database records according to Big Brothers Big Sisters standards.  
• Coordinate in-person match introductions between the Family and Big in order to help facilitate early relationship development.  
• Work schedule includes regular evenings and one Saturday a month to best meet the needs of our families and volunteers.  
• Provide program participants with solution-focused strategies, resources, and training that will help to further support match participants.   
• Participate in professional training as provided by the agency and the National office to achieve maximum development of professional skills when required.  
• Learn and perform other program functions dependent on departmental needs, including, but not limited to, interviewing and assessing potential program participants, coordinating match activities, and recruitment activities.  

Organizational Alignment

• Demonstrate agency values (Relationships, Ownership, Evolution) in your actions, decisions, and interactions
• Assist with agency priorities centered on resource development (relationships, resources, tools)
• Support and attend agency functions, both advancement-specific and broader agency events

Qualifications

This Job May Be For You…..

• Youth-serving experience, especially working with youth of color and/or from marginalized communities
• Passion for supporting youth through strengths-based strategies
• Understanding of issues/barriers that impact children and families from underserved populations
• Belief in the power of mentoring relationships
• Celebrates diversity
• Ability to work remotely and comfortable utilizing latest technologies.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to work independently, as well as with a team
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage shifting priorities and responsibilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills reflecting outstanding customer service, both in-person and by telephone
• Ability to think critically, effectively provide responsive coaching, and draw solid conclusions based on information provided
• Comfortable engaging in challenging conversations

Additionally, we’d love…

• Driven to help youth reach their full potential
• Consistent desire to seek out new and more effective methods to support programming
• Understanding of/experience with youth mentoring
• Familiarity with Positive Youth Development strategies
• Spanish fluency

Qualifications

Relevant youth-serving experience or a Bachelor’s degree/college coursework in Social Work or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, and Excel. Must have a reliable car, valid driver’s license and meet state required automobile insurance minimums.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Job Responsibilities

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities, and competencies necessary to perform the job’s essential duties and responsibilities. They should not be regarded as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. BBBSMT may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the organization’s needs.

To see more of the impact we are making: http://www.mentorakid.org

If this sounds like the position and organization for you, please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@mentorakid.org with “Your Name – Program Specialist CB” in the subject line.

No phone calls, please. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

BBBSMT is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

Details

• Date Posted: December 4, 2025
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
• Service Area: Children / Youth