Application Guide

How to Apply for Community Based Mentoring Program - Enrollment & Match Specialist

at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles

🏢 About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles is the local affiliate of the nation’s oldest and most respected youth mentoring organization, with a proven model that creates measurable, life-changing outcomes for children facing adversity. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that directly addresses opportunity gaps in LA communities through one-to-one mentoring, backed by national standards and a strong local presence.

About This Role

As the Community-Based Enrollment & Match Specialist, you are the first point of contact for volunteers and families, guiding them through inquiry, information sessions, interviews, and assessments to become Bigs and Littles. You then use that information to make thoughtful, lasting matches and provide ongoing case management to ensure every match thrives. This hybrid role blends virtual work with in-person meetings, Live Scan fingerprinting, and occasional travel to events across Greater Los Angeles.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking emails and returning calls to prospective volunteers and families, followed by a virtual information session. In the afternoon, you might conduct an in-person interview with a potential Big, complete a home visit for a Little, and then update case notes in the database. You’ll also coordinate upcoming matches and check in with existing matches to ensure they’re on track.

🎯 Who Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles Is Looking For

  • Experience in human services, social work, volunteer management, or education, with a strong understanding of case management and child safety protocols.
  • Skilled at conducting interviews and writing clear, objective assessments that capture both volunteer and family strengths and needs.
  • Comfortable with public speaking and facilitating group information sessions, both virtually and in person.
  • Highly organized and tech-savvy, able to manage a busy caseload, input detailed notes into a database, and handle administrative tasks with accuracy.
  • Culturally responsive and empathetic, with a genuine commitment to serving diverse youth and families across Los Angeles.

📝 Tips for Applying to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles

1

Highlight any direct experience with volunteer enrollment, matching, or case management—especially in youth mentoring or social services—and use specific examples of how you handled sensitive interviews or difficult matches.

2

Mention your familiarity with Live Scan fingerprinting or willingness to learn, as this is a unique responsibility in the role and shows attention to detail.

3

Demonstrate your ability to work independently in a hybrid setup by giving examples of how you’ve managed schedules, documentation, and communication across virtual and in-person settings.

4

Research Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles’s current programs and mention them in your application—showing you understand their local impact and national standards.

5

If you have experience with database systems (e.g., Salesforce, Apricot, or similar), explicitly state it, as the role requires consistent input of notes into a database website.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

Emphasize your passion for youth mentoring and how your background aligns with the enrollment and matching process. Show you understand the importance of building trust with volunteers and families, and give an example of how you’ve successfully managed a caseload or conducted assessments. Highlight your comfort with public speaking and facilitating information sessions, and express your commitment to upholding the agency’s national standards while serving the diverse communities of Greater Los Angeles.

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Explore the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles website to understand their specific programs, impact stories, and the communities they serve.
  • Read the national Big Brothers Big Sisters standards and the latest annual report to grasp the rigor and outcomes expected in mentoring relationships.
  • Research the Los Angeles communities where the agency operates to understand the cultural and socio-economic context of the youth and families you’d support.
  • Look up recent news or press releases about the organization to learn about current initiatives or challenges, which can inform your interview questions.
Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you handle a situation where a volunteer or family has expectations that don’t align with the agency’s matching criteria or policies?
2 Describe your experience conducting interviews and writing assessments. How do you ensure your assessments are objective and culturally sensitive?
3 What strategies would you use to engage and support a match that is struggling after the initial months?
4 How comfortable are you with conducting Live Scan fingerprinting and managing confidential information?
5 This role requires both virtual and in-person work, plus occasional travel. How do you manage your time and stay organized across different locations?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being vague about your experience with case management or volunteer coordination—this role requires concrete examples of managing relationships and documentation.
  • Ignoring the hybrid nature of the role and not demonstrating how you’ll handle the mix of virtual and in-person responsibilities, including travel.
  • Focusing only on your passion for youth without showing the administrative and organizational skills needed to manage enrollments, matches, and database entries accurately.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles!