1. July 2015
The Yosemite Mentoring Program offers NPS employees at Yosemite career
and life enhancement opportunities through a formal mentoring program.
The mentoring program provides an opportunity for employees to identify a
mentor who will help them meet personal and professional goals in a
structured and facilitated mentoring relationship.
Mentees will select a mentor to challenge themselves, grow professionally,
and explore career skills. Mentees and mentors will work together as a pair
throughout the course of the program. This one-on-one learning model
allows mentees to tailor their partnership to address the mentee’s specific
goals and needs. Mentees will participate in monthly group sessions and
workshops designed to facilitate communication and professional
development. Mentors will also participate in group training and
development to learn skills to ensure an effective mentoring relationship.
Benefits of mentoring include increased employee performance, retention,
commitment to the organization, and knowledge sharing. Employees that
participate as mentees frequently report greater job satisfaction, increased
confidence, and feeling supported by their mentors. Mentors often describe
an increase in personal motivation, friendship, their own professional
development, and personal satisfaction stemming from their mentoring
roles.
Specific benefits of the program are:
 A structured program to foster a commitment from both the
mentee and mentor with clearly defined expectations and
outcomes
 Professional development and learning life skills
 Group activities to encourage networking with people throughout
the park
 Participation may be included in a resume
Yosemite National Park National Park Service
U.S Department of the Interior
What is the
Yosemite
Mentoring
Program?
Why should I or
my employees
participate in this
program?
“It's encouraging to have
someone help you explore
career development
opportunities and provide
insight into the realities of
a career field. It was really
great to explore and
develop life skills too.”
-2014 Mentee

2. July 2015
Mentees and mentors should be able to commit to participate in a 1 year
program. This includes a commitment to meet with their partner for a
minimum of two hours a month.
In addition, mentees will participate in monthly professional development
sessions (approximately an hour and half long)
Mentees should be:
 Willing and able to face challenges
 Have a strong desire to grow professional skills
 Intellectually curious
 Responsible and receptive
 Willing to share personal experiences with your mentor
 Available to attend monthly program group activities
Mentors should be:
 Willing to assume responsibility and accountability as a mentor
 Willing to help set developmental goals, coach, and give feedback
 Aware of resources available within and outside the agency
 Committed to the development of employees based on individual
needs and skills
 Willing to share personal experiences relevant to the needs of the
mentee
Mentees must apply to be participants in the program. The program is open
to all NPS permanent and term employees interested in professional growth
and development.
Mentees should:
1. Fill out the application form designed to start participants on the
path to creating a personalized development plan.
2. Submit a recommendation from their supervisor.
Applications materials are available at
http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/supt/mentor/SitePages/Home.aspx.
Applicants should submit all application materials via email to
yose_mentoring@nps.gov by September 9, 2015. Applications will be
reviewed by an interdisciplinary team. Participants will receive notice of
their selection by September 25, 2015.
The first few mentee professional development sessions will focus on
providing guidance on how to select a mentor and helping mentees
establish personal and professional goals to accomplish during the program.
Mentees should identify their mentors by December 31, 2015. The program
will run through summer 2016, including monthly opportunities for mentees
to interact in a group setting.
What are the
expectations?
“Being a mentor has
provided increased depth
in my leadership. I have
had the opportunity to step
outside my professional
work area and exercise
leadership in a different
discipline, even on a
personal level. This has
been very rewarding as I
continue to seek
challenges and
opportunities to grow
personally and
professionally.”
-2014 Mentor
Who should
apply?
What is the
application
process?