CAREERS WITH PEER KINDNESS
Be part of a team dedicated to creating safer, more compassionate schools through empathy, education, and youth empowerment.
At PEER Kindness, our work is rooted in the belief that empathy, courage, and connection can change lives. Every day, we partner with schools and communities to help students build the skills they need to create kinder, safer spaces for themselves and each other. If you’re passionate about youth empowerment, education, and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us and be part of a team committed to turning kindness into action.
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WE ARE HIRING!
Position: Program Director
Organization: PEER Kindness
Location: Montrose, Colorado (local community-based role with statewide reach)
Employment: Full-time, Exempt
Who We Are
Peer Kindness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that works in partnership with schools, youth programs, community organizations, business and community leaders, families, and youth to reduce bullying. Our goal is to work together to foster a PEER stance - positive, encouraging, empathetic, and respectful - to create a safe, inclusive environment for all.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a compassionate, strategic Program Director to lead our bullying prevention, navigation, and youth leadership programs—and to help us scale our impact statewide through a new train-the-trainer program for educators. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants their workday to matter—someone who cares deeply about kids, believes in bullying education and prevention, and is excited to build programs that change school culture from the inside out.
As Program Director, you will:
- Guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of our core programs (classroom teaching, Bullying Navigation, and Youth Leadership)
- Lead the in-progress design and rollout of a train-the-trainer model that prepares teachers, counselors, and administrators to deliver PEER Kindness curriculum and cultivate a culture of kindness in their own schools
- Build strong relationships with schools, youth programs, families, and community partners
- Oversee and support a small, mission-driven program team
- Make data-informed decisions to strengthen program quality and impact
- Help PEER Kindness grow thoughtfully and sustainably in our community and across Colorado
You’ll work closely with the Executive Director and serve as a key member of the leadership team, helping align day-to-day programming with our vision of safe, inclusive, and compassionate communities for all youth.
Key Responsibilities
Program Oversight & Quality
- Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of PEER Kindness programs in bullying prevention, bullying navigation and youth advocacy, and youth agency and voice.
- Ensure programs are aligned with our mission and rooted in evidence-informed practices in social/emotional learning, empathy education, and youth development.
- Monitor program outcomes, collect and interpret data, and use findings to refine and strengthen impact—for both direct delivery and train-the-trainer models.
Community & School Engagement
- Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with schools, districts, youth-serving organizations, families, and other community partners.
- Represent PEER Kindness at community events, presentations, and meetings.
- Listen for emerging needs in the community and help shape responsive, relevant programming.
- Partner with school and district leaders to introduce and sustain the PEER Kindness train-the-trainer model, ensuring educators feel supported to implement curriculum and culturebuilding practices in their own settings.
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise and support program staff, fostering a positive, encouraging, empathetic, respectful, and kind (PEER K) team culture.
- Provide regular coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Facilitate team meetings to coordinate work, problem solve challenges, and celebrate wins. Collaborate with the Executive Director to align program strategy with organizational goals.
Program Development & Innovation
- Lead the design of new initiatives, curricula, workshops, and resources that respond to current trends in bullying, mental wellbeing, and youth leadership.
- Oversee the development, scale and refinement of our train-the-trainer program that:
- Equips teachers, counselors, and administrators to deliver PEER Kindness bullying education with fidelity
- Includes ongoing support, coaching, and quality assurance for trained educators
- Oversee the planning and execution of campaigns, events, and workshops that elevate youth voice and promote kinder school cultures.
Resource Management & Reporting
- Develop and manage program budgets in partnership with the Executive Director, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
- Support grant writing, reporting, and data tracking for funded programs—including documenting the reach and impact of the train-the-trainer initiative.
- Maintain up-to-date program materials, curricula, and resource inventories.
- Prepare clear, timely reports on program activities, outcomes, and stories of impact for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Collaborate on promotional materials, social media content, and website updates related to programs.
Organizational Support
- Partner with the Executive Director on strategic initiatives that advance PEER Kindness’s mission.
- Assist with donor relations, storytelling, fundraising events, and community outreach as needed.
- Perform other duties as needed in a small, collaborative nonprofit environment.
Who You Are
You are driven by purpose and energized by working directly with people—especially youth, educators, and families. You’re as comfortable facilitating a meeting at a school as you are building a program budget or coaching a staff member.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience in program management, preferably in a nonprofit or youth-serving organization.
- Demonstrated experience in bullying prevention, youth advocacy, social/emotional learning, or related fields.
- Proven leadership and supervisory skills; you enjoy supporting others’ growth and building healthy team culture.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal; confident presenting to groups of youth and adults.
- Comfortable with basic technology and tools, including database software, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and social media.
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally and regionally for school and community partner visits.
Preferred (Not Required):
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience working in K–12 school settings and/or providing professional development to educators.
Strong understanding of social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks and practices.
What We Offer
We are a small, values-driven nonprofit that leads with kindness in how we treat youth, partners, and each other. While we are not currently able to offer employer-sponsored health insurance or retirement benefits, we do offer:
- Meaningful, Impact-Driven Work: Every day, your work directly supports young people, families, and schools in building safer, more compassionate communities—and now, through educators across the state.
- Kind, Supportive Culture: We strive to embody our core values—Positive, Encouraging, Empathetic, Respectful, and Kind—in our internal culture as much as in our programs.
- Mission-Driven Team: Work alongside dedicated staff, board members, and community partners who care deeply about youth and are committed to doing this work with integrity and heart.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities to shape and grow programs, lead a statewide initiative, develop leadership skills, and build expertise in SEL, youth development, and prevention.
- Community Connection: Deep engagement with local schools and organizations in Montrose and across Colorado; you’ll see the ripple effects of your work up close.
Compensation:
Salary: $51,000 to $60,000 (commensurate with experience).
Work Environment
This position is based in Montrose, Colorado, with work occurring in an office setting, schools, and community locations across the region. The work environment is generally quiet to moderate. Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) and local/regional travel are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.
All final candidates will undergo reference and background checks and must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. PEER Kindness, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse staff and community. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with lived experience related to our mission are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- A resume
- A brief cover letter sharing why this mission resonates with you and how your experience has prepared you to lead bullying prevention and youth programs
Send application materials to: info@peerkindness.net with the subject line: Program Director – Your Name.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
