Position Title: Program Coordinator

Salary:$50,000 - $58,000 Per Year, Full Time

Location: Rochester, MN

Education: Associate Degree

Experience: 2 - 5 years

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About Bolder Options

Our mission: Bolder Options prepares youth to succeed in all of life's races.

 

Our vision: We create Bolder Options for youth, one future at a time.

Youth begin their journey in our signature one-to-one mentoring program, where volunteer mentors are matched with young people ages 10–14 for a full year of weekly mentorship focused on physical activity and overall well-being. Together, mentors and mentees build confidence, develop healthy habits, strengthen social and emotional skills, and discover what is possible for their future. At the end of this foundational year of mentorship, pairs "graduate" and youth are invited to join our alumni program.

Through the Bolder Options Alumni Program, youth continue to stay connected through middle school, high school, and early adulthood (approximately ages 11–20). Alumni participate in career and college exploration, leadership development, internships, outdoor adventure experiences, financial literacy, scholarships, service projects, and other opportunities that help them build the skills, relationships, and confidence to pursue their goals.

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Position Summary: The Alumni Program Coordinator leads the day-to-day implementation of the Bolder Options Alumni Program in Rochester.

Working with middle and high school youth who have completed their first year of mentoring, this position builds meaningful relationships that keep young people engaged with Bolder Options through to college and/or careers.

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The coordinator recruits youth into alumni opportunities, plans engaging programs and events, supports career and college exploration, and helps youth develop a meaningful plan for life after high school. Working closely with the Alumni Program Manager (based in the Twin Cities) and the Rochester program team, this position creates experiences that help youth discover who they are, explore where they are headed, and build the relationships and skills to get there.

 

Major Responsibilities

Alumni Engagement (30%)

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with alumni youth and their families.

• Welcome graduating mentor/mentee pairs into the Alumni Program and support their transition.

• Maintain regular communication with youth, mentors, caregivers, and alumni through phone calls, text messages, email, and newsletters.

• Recruit youth into alumni programs, events, leadership opportunities, and special projects.

• Develop strategies to encourage ongoing participation and long-term engagement.

Program Coordination & Implementation (60%)

• Collaborate closely with the Alumni Program Manager to implement organization-wide alumni programming.Coordinate and facilitate Rochester alumni programming, including but not limited to:

  • I Believe & I Achieve work & career exploration

  • Outdoor recreation and adventure learning

  • Leadership development & Community service

  • Financial literacy

• Plan and host monthly alumni events and activities.

• Coordinate volunteers, guest speakers, employers, colleges, and community partners.

• Support scholarship, internship, and employment opportunities for alumni youth.

• Assist with annual outdoor adventure programming and other organization-wide youth experiences.

Team Collaboration & Administration (10%)

• Participate in program team meetings and organizational planning.

• Maintain accurate participant records, attendance, and program documentation.

• Assist with mentor graduations, family events, fundraising events, and organization-wide activities.

• Contribute ideas for continuous improvement of the Alumni Program.

• Support 1:1 mentoring program as needed.

 

Qualifications

Required

• Passion for positive youth development and helping young people prepare for successful futures.

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining strong relationships.

• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

• Clear criminal background record.

• Reliable transportation.

• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification if not already certified.

Preferred

• Experience working with youth or young adults through employment, volunteer service, coaching, mentoring, education, or lived experience.

• Experience with mentoring, youth development, after-school programming, or adolescent development.

• Experience with career and college readiness programming.

• Experience planning events or group activities.

• Knowledge of Rochester community resources.

• Outdoor recreation or adventure programming experience.

• Previous participation in Bolder Options programming.

 

Schedule & Work Environment

This position is designed around the schedules of the youth we serve. Planning, team meetings, administrative work, and collaboration generally occur during regular business hours. Direct service with youth, including programs, events, and community activities, typically takes place after school, during evenings, and on occasional weekends. Rather than working a traditional Monday through Friday schedule, team members adjust their schedules throughout the week to balance daytime planning with youth programming.

During the probationary period (up to one year), this position is expected to work primarily from the Rochester office to support training, relationship-building, and integration with the team. Following successful completion of probation, the position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule consistent with organizational policy and program needs.

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Physical & Travel Requirements

This is an active, community-based position. The Alumni Program Coordinator participates alongside youth in a variety of settings throughout the year.

The successful candidate must be able and willing to:

• Safely transport youth in personal and rental vehicles.

• Successfully complete training and safely operate a 15-passenger rental van.

• Participate in outdoor recreation and adventure learning activities with youth.

• Attend one multi-day outdoor adventure trip each summer, including camping and sleeping in a tent.

• Participate in one to two overnight trips each year in support of youth programming.

• Walk, hike, paddle, bike, and participate in recreational activities alongside youth, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds of equipment and program supplies.

• Use computers and mobile technology for communication, documentation, and virtual meetings.

 

Desired Characteristics

The ideal candidate:

• Builds authentic relationships easily with teenagers.

• Believes every young person deserves a trusted adult and a hopeful future.

• Enjoys balancing relationship-building, program planning, and hands-on youth engagement.

• Thrives in a flexible work environment where no two days look exactly alike.

• Is creative, organized, dependable, and collaborative.

• Brings curiosity, humor, adaptability, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed.

• Embraces the Bolder Options mission and enjoys participating alongside youth in movement, adventure, and community experiences.

 

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means that Rochester youth stay connected because they want to.

Within the first year, the Alumni Program Coordinator will work toward:

• Maintaining meaningful engagement with at least 60% of recent graduates of the Bolder Options one-to-one mentoring program.

• Creating programs and experiences that youth are excited to attend and recommend to their peers.

• Building trusted relationships with youth, families, mentors, volunteers, and community partners.

• Helping graduating seniors leave high school with a clear plan for college, careers, apprenticeships, military service, or another meaningful next step.

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To Apply: 

Send cover letter and resume to Sarah Schaller at sarah.schaller@bolderoptions.org 

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