MBK Ambassadors - Non-Certificated

Schenectady City School District; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

The Schenectady City School District invites applications for an MBK Ambassador to support mentoring across elementary, middle, and high schools in the Capital region. The role focuses on guiding students, fostering engagement, and connecting them with pathways to college and careers.

As a trusted adult, you will work with MBK leadership to monitor participation, promote inclusive practices, and provide a supportive environment for young men of color to thrive.

Qualifications

• Experience mentoring boys and young men of color in education or community work.
• Ability to build trust in diverse urban school settings.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and facilitate after‑school activities and small-group discussions.
• Engage MBK students with regular check-ins and relationship building.
• Advocate for students and support positive peer interactions.
• Coordinate experiential learning opportunities and campus visits.
• Support safety, accountability, and appropriate conduct at events.
• Collaborate with MBK leadership and report on attendance and trends.
• Assist in scheduling and weekend activities as needed.

Skills

Mentoring

Youth engagement

Job description

SCHENECTADY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

MBK Ambassador

(1 MBK Ambassador at each school site)

MBK Ambassador Role

This position reports to the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Program Specialist and the Office of Innovation, Equity, and Engagement in a midsize urban school district located in the Capital region of Upstate New York. This position supports the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative that is aimed to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensures that all young people can reach their full potential. In Schenectady we have created a small group mentoring program in each of our elementary middle and high schools for Young Men of color. This position requires a high degree of open-mindedness, intuitiveness and flexibility.

MBK Ambassador Expectations

In Schenectady, this is achieved through a targeted small-group mentoring program embedded across our elementary, middle, and high schools. MBK Ambassadors serve as vital mentors, advocates, and guides, helping students navigate academic, social, and community pathways. This position requires a high degree of open-mindedness, cultural humility, intuitiveness, and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities & Expectations

• Mentorship & Facilitation: Support and supervise student participation during after-school/lunch mentoring activities, small-group discussions, and structured youth development programs.
• Student Engagement: Conduct regular check-ins and connection sessions with MBK students to foster deep relationship‑building, ongoing program retention, and personal growth.
• Advocacy & Guidance: Encourage student reflection, active participation, and positive peer‑to‑peer interactions, taking an advocacy‑first approach to coaching.
• Community & Campus Pathways: Assist with the coordination and supervision of experiential learning opportunities. This may potentially include chaperoning and supporting students during local college/university campus visits, community service projects, or corporate partner engagements.
• Safety & Accountability: Serve as a consistent, reliable adult presence to ensure student safety, accountability, emotional support, and appropriate conduct during all scheduled events.
• Program Collaboration: Communicate regularly with program leadership regarding student attendance, behavioral trends, successes, and overall engagement.
• Flexible Programming Support: Assist in the execution of various MBK program activities, including those occurring during after‑school hours, and occasionally on weekends as needed.
• Professional Representation: Represent the Schenectady City School District’s MBK program with the highest level of professionalism, consistently fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment.

Key Qualities

• Deep dedication to, and structural understanding of, the unique experiences and challenges faced by boys and young men of color in an urban school setting.
• Exceptional interpersonal, listening, and relational communication skills.
• An advocacy‑driven mindset focused on asset‑based youth development rather than punitive discipline.
• A strong desire to motivate youth within a highly collaborative, team‑oriented school and community ecosystem.

In addition, all applicants are requested to submit a current resume. This is a competitive Schenectady County Civil Service position. Candidates must meet civil service requirements for appointment. Candidates must currently hold this title or be reachable on the civil service list when available. If a list is not available, this will be a provisional appointment and the successful candidate must take the appropriate civil service examination and be reachable. Candidates must live in Schenectady County or one of the counties contiguous to Schenectady County.

The Schenectady City School District (SCSD) has begun a period of change that seeks to transform the district and its schools. A significant level of local, state, and federal attention and investment in the Schenectady City Schools has characterized the last few years providing an incredible opportunity to ensure that all of its students graduate prepared to succeed in college or a well‑paying career. Currently, the Schenectady City School District is seeking highly competent, motivated, dedicated and fully engaged individuals to accept leadership roles throughout the district’s schools and Central Office to serve the academic, emotional and physical needs of approximately 10,000 students through the essential elements of the district’s Strategic Plan. The Superintendent is leading a talented and committed leadership team with the aim of moving SCSD toward world class status and preparing all students for success.

The Schenectady City School District is committed to hiring members of the protected classes and residents of the City of Schenectady. For more information on the Schenectady City School District recruitment and hiring plan, please contact the Office of Human Resources. The Schenectady City School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race or gender. This policy is in compliance with the Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Regulations and Bylaws of the Board of Education of the Schenectady CitySchool District.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with boys and young men of color, preferably in a mentorship, educational, or community organizing capacity.
• Ability to navigate diverse school environments and build immediate trust with urban youth.

Compensation

• Non-Certified MBK Ambassadors: $19.10 / hour or Contract hourly rate up to Step 10 per the current Paraprofessional contract for unit members.