Temporary Peer Mentor

Southeast New Mexico College; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

College tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) seeks a Peer Mentor to guide incoming, first-year, and first-generation students through their college transition. You will share experiences, provide encouragement, and help students access campus resources and opportunities to build confidence and success.

Responsibilities include maintaining mentoring relationships, regular check-ins, goal setting, and connecting students with services while upholding FERPA standards.

Qualifications

• Completed at least one semester at SENMC with a 2.5+ GPA.
• In good academic standing with no probation.
• Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and commitment to first-year/first-generation students.
• Preferred leadership through campus involvement or related activities.

Responsibilities

• Establishes supportive mentoring relationships with an assigned cohort across a two-semester cycle.
• Conducts regular communication and weekly check-ins with mentees via in-person, call, text, or email.
• Assists mentees in setting academic, personal, and leadership goals.
• Serves as a campus resource by connecting students with services and engagement opportunities.
• Participates in orientation, workshops, and student success events.
• Encourages involvement in academics and co-curricular activities to aid persistence and completion.
• Maintains confidential records per FERPA and program rules.

Skills

Reliability

Professionalism

Leadership

Communication skills

Mentoring

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

One semester at SENMC

Job description

Examples of Duties

Required: Must have successfully completed at least one (1) semester of coursework at Southeast New Mexico College and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Must be in good academic standing with no current or prior academic probation. Must demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting first-year, incoming, and first-generation college students. Previous leadership experience through student organizations, campus employment, volunteer service, student government, athletics, or other campus involvement is preferred.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience as approved by the Human Resources Department.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Grade: Temporary

Salary Range: $15 - $18 Per Hour DOE

Background

Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is a newly independent public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. A proud Hispanic Serving Institution, it awards certificates and associate degrees that serve the needs of its region and prepare students to transfer to programs at other colleges or universities. SENMC offers Early College and Dual Credit programs in collaboration with local high schools.

Southeast New Mexico College enjoys the strong support of its community, and has been awarded several grants, which include $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and several multimillion-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of Education for student support.

The college’s diverse employee pool includes 38 full-time faculty, 48 adjunct faculty, and 112 staff members. SENMC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, and college tuition reimbursement. More information on SENMC can be obtained from its website at https://senmc.edu.

Purpose And Scope

The Peer Mentor serves as a knowledgeable guide, advocate, and point of connection for incoming, first-year, and first-generation students at Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC). Through mentorship, encouragement, and the sharing of personal experiences, the Peer Mentor assists students in successfully transitioning to college, developing academic confidence, utilizing campus resources, and becoming engaged members of the college community.

This position provides student leaders with opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and professional skills while supporting institutional student success and retention initiatives. Peer Mentors are expected to maintain good academic standing, remain enrolled at SENMC, and commit to a two-semester mentoring cycle per assigned student.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains supportive mentoring relationships with an assigned cohort of mentees throughout a two-semester mentoring cycle.
• Conducts regular communication and weekly check-ins with mentees through in-person meetings, telephone calls, text messaging, institutional email, and other approved methods.
• Assists mentees in establishing academic, personal, and leadership goals that promote student success and self-efficacy.
• Serves as a resource by connecting students with appropriate campus services, support programs, and student engagement opportunities.
• Participates in orientation activities, student success workshops, campus events, and peer networking opportunities.
• Encourages mentees to become actively involved in academic and co-curricular activities that support persistence and completion.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential records of mentoring activities and student interactions in accordance with program requirements and FERPA regulations.
• Attends all required trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
• Maintains a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher and remain in good academic standing throughout employment.
• Maintains active enrollment at Southeast New Mexico College during the period of employment.
• Adheres to all SENMC policies, procedures, student conduct regulations, and departmental expectations.
• Successfully complete all required program screening and training requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of SENMC resources, programs, services, and student support systems.
• Knowledge of effective communication and interpersonal relationship-building techniques.
• Ability to establish rapport and develop supportive mentoring relationships with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive student information.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model and representative of the College.
• Ability to organize time effectively and manage multiple responsibilities while meeting established deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with program staff and campus partners.
• Skill in active listening, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
• Ability to encourage, motivate, and support students in achieving academic and personal goals.
• Demonstrate commitment to student success, leadership development, and community engagement.

Work Environment And Physical Demand

• Use of computer and video display terminal for extended periods
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills
• Ability to communicate information orally and in writing
• Ability to receive and interpret written and verbal instructions
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, or reaching
• Flexible weekly scheduling to support

Performing the essential functions of this position requires the use of a computer throughout most of the workday, the ability to navigate a typical office environment, significant amounts of interpersonal interaction including oral and written communication, and the ability to keep track of multiple tasks, projects, deadlines, information sources, and business processes. This job description is intended to be generic in nature and describe the essential functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities, and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Affirmative Action Statement

SENMC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 30 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.