Mentor Specialist

Mentor Specialist (MS)(40 hours Full-time) Non-Exempt

BUILD Inc.(Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is presently seeking a committed self-motivated and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention violence prevention and youth development organization based on Chicagos West Side. Since 1969 BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people who live in the citys most challenging neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD you make an important difference to the thousands of youths and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy Passion Persistence and Innovation.

The Mentor Specialist is responsible for effectively engaging youth in-school and community through:

1. In-school after-school and community-based activities to identify concerns seek solutions mediate disputes demonstrate restorative methods and best practices as alternatives to traditional disciplinary consequences and encourage education.
2. Conduct an Individual Assessment of strengths & needs and collaborate with the MHTS therapists to identify individual treatment goals.
3. SupportIndividualsthat are atincreased riskofexperiencing trauma-related instability recidivism or community violenceinstabilizingthrivingandsetting andaccomplishinggoals
4. Establish and maintain rapport with youth who have experienced trauma and encourage them to engage in behaviors that will deter limiting or destructive behaviors toward themselves others and community assets.
5. Facilitate external referrals follow-through/support. Recognizing the vicarious trauma of staff working with crisis-oriented youth.
6. Maintain and establish healthy relationships with school Personnel & Staff

TheMentor Specialistreports directly to the Manager of School-based Mentorship.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Youth Work/Youth Development

• Exemplify the mission vision and values of the agency.
• Identify and recruit participants for caseload.
• Conduct intakes assessments and treatment planning for each participant.
• Work in partnership with assigned therapist.
• Deliver mentor curriculum on a consistent basis.
• Work within the target schools/sites to mediate disputes among youth and de-escalate situations as needed.
• Attend IEP meetings school meetings disciplinary hearings and teacher conferences.
• Assist participants in re-enrolling in school after detention if applicable.
• Identify and connect participants toemployment if applicable.
• Conduct home visits on participants when necessary.
• Collaborate with other programs within the agency and community.
• Identify the needs of youth and provide referrals as needed both internally and externally.
• Operate professionally in the field on a flexible time schedule which includes late evenings and weekends.
• Perform other job-related duties as requested required and/or assigned.

Documentation and Compliance

• Collect baseline and year-end data on academic interpersonal and pro-social behaviors.
• Submit data reports to manager monthly for ongoing reporting.
• Maintain documentation compliance as required with CIS database.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Represent the agency to various publics to broaden community awareness and support interpreting the agencys programs and services.
• Provide public relations and promotional activities related to the agency in coordination with appropriate administrative staff.

Other

• Attend departmental and agency-wide staff meetings as scheduled and agency-wide events as required.
• Maintain current knowledge in the field including but not limited to participation in coursework seminars and workshops.
• Maintain current knowledge of the agencys theories methodologies and best practices.
• Participate in agency-wide fundraising events
• Encourage participant/community participation in agency wide fundraising events

Requirements

• Minimum three years experience working with inner-city youth in a human service setting social service setting or related field; or a Bachelors Degree in Social Services Human Services Non-Profit Management or related field experience required.
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintain respectful and appropriate relationships with program participants all levels of agency staff and the various publics of the agency demonstrating sensitivity to all ethnic racial and economic backgrounds.
• Highly organized with excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with technology integration into daily program operations and evaluation systems.
• Must be willing to travel daily.
• Must be passionate about youth development work.
• Must pass extensive background check and screening.

Benefits:

• 401(k) plan 2% match
• Medical Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Wellness Days
• Flexible Spending Account

BUILD Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex citizenship ethnic or national origin age disability medical status military status veteran status marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information ancestry or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization including hiring recruiting promotion termination layoff recall leave of absence compensation benefits and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. Rather BUILD Inc. considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense the circumstances surrounding it the proximity in time of the conviction and its relevance to the position.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment