Sample Peer Mentor Job Description (Residential-based)

The peer mentor is a student staff member who provides leadership in the XXX Learning Community. Mentors assist in achieving the goals of the program which are (list program goals). XXX Learning Community is a Fall semester program. 25 first-year men and women from all majors in (your college) may participate. Each mentor will help (#) of these new students in making the transition to college life.

The peer mentor job is a live-in staff position, which requires that the mentor live on the same house as participants in the program. The Peer Mentor and the RA/CA are key staff members who work together to develop a community conducive to student success by encouraging positive behaviors and addressing behaviors that are detrimental to the individual and/or community. Like all residents, the Peer Mentor must support the Department of Residence policies and has a responsibility as a citizen/house member to challenge negative behaviors.

Qualifications:

For consideration, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

Minimum grade point average of 3.0
Juniors and seniors are preferred, but other qualified applicants will be considered
Experience living in a residence hall setting
Strong interpersonal skills
Knowledge of the major and college
Self-motivation
Must be available to attend Peer Mentor training in August prior to the beginning of school

Responsibilities:

Peer Mentors for XXX Learning Community will have the following responsibilities:

Coordinate one social activity a month for the program participants.
Maintain participant email list and provide information about the learning community to all members through this list.
Help students become familiar with university resources; advise and refer residents to appropriate university resources, as the need arises.
Attend (xx) class and facilitate study groups for the class.
Attend a weekly meeting with the learning community coordinator.
Maintain 2 office hours per week. Post office hours outside your door and provide the information to participants via email.
Meet individually with students once a month and submit monthly reports to the coordinator.
Be available for formal and informal interaction with the students in the program.
Attend periodic meetings with Learning Community and Residence Life staff.

Compensation

Peer mentors receive a stipend of ($XXX) and work 10 hours a week. Peer mentors are eligible to live in a single room, or they may choose to live in a double with a roommate. Demands on a peer mentor's time are many. After academics, the mentor position takes next priority; therefore, mentors are not to accept additional employment.

Application Process

Please complete the attached application and submit it by (date) to (coordinator) in (office). Submit two reference letters with the application. Following review of all applications, interviews will be scheduled (with all applicants? With those individuals whose applications pass the screening process?). Interviews will last one hour and will be scheduled during the week of (data).

Questions about the peer mentor position or the application process should be directed to:

Coordinator
Phone number
Email address

Ideas for Creating Peer Mentor Job Descriptions:

Qualifications

Listed below are possible qualifications for you to consider:· G.P.A. - Is there a minimum G.P.A. that would be expected of a mentor candidate?

Class standing - Do you have a preference for a sophomore, junior or senior?
Courses completed - If there are any courses for which you want the mentor to be able to provide specific assistance/tutoring, you may consider listed that as a requirement.
Language requirements - For foreign language communities or international communities, this skill may be needed.
Computer skills - Are there any required computer skills that the candidate would need to be successful?
Previous residence life experience - Some programs prefer a live-in mentor who has lived in the halls already. Possible wording for this is: Applicants must have lived in the residence halls for at least (__) semester(s) to be considered for this position.
Member of specific student organization - If there is an organization through the college or department that compliments the academic program, you may consider only students from that organization.
Ability to work well with others
Communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Knowledge of university resources
Problem-solving skills
Creative Thinking Skills

Responsibilities

The following are some general ideas for mentor responsibilities that should be specified to fit your program:

Coordinate social out-of-class activities / events
Conduct weekly meetings
Coordinate team members e-mail list
Help students become familiar with university resources
Facilitate team-building activities
Maintain an e-mail list to keep students informed of upcoming events
Call / meet with students
Implement study groups as needed
Serve as a communication link between Learning Community coordinators, faculty and students
Work with staff to facilitate learning experiences (classes / programs)
Assist in the evaluation of the learning community
Attend a weekly meeting with Learning Community
Maintain consistent office hours

Compensation

Possible aspects to consider:

Flat Stipend
Pay based on hourly work
Room and board\
What is the hour / week commitment
Accept additional employment - Some programs do not allow mentors to work outside of the mentor job.

Learning Communities