Professional Mentor "Friend"

Our mission is to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors—12 years, no matter what. Unlike other programs, we exclusively focus on children who are also facing many systemic obstacles for whom short-term solutions and single-programmatic solutions will not work. Throughout the 12 years in the program, our team supports youth to set and accomplish academic and developmental goals, while consistently supporting each youth through the unique challenges they face. Over the long-term, our goals ensure that youth graduate from high school ready for post-secondary education, employment, or military service, steer clear of the juvenile justice system, set positive life goals, and adopt healthy lifestyles. Ultimately, our trauma-informed approach supports youth to develop skills for self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of generational poverty so they will thrive as mentally and physically healthy, empowered members of society.

Essential responsibilities:

 As a Friend, you will:

• Support a roster of eight (8) youth
• Spend four (4) hours each week supporting each of the youth on your roster
  • Two hours each week in school
  • Two hours each week in the community
• Manage and coordinate schedules with your youths’ caregivers and teachers
• Manage allocated monthly budget for each youth
• Maintain your Outlook calendar to reflect your schedule and location accurately.
• Document touchpoints and activities with your youth and their families, teachers, and others accurately and timely in our data system, including
  • Weekly outings
  • Annual assessments
  • Quarterly reports
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that
  • Is Tuesday through Saturday (with Sundays and Mondays off)  
  • Includes afternoons and evenings (typically from 9:00/10:00 a.m. to 6:00/7:00 p.m.)
• Attend and actively participate in regularly scheduled meetings
  • 1:1 with your Program Manager
  • Team meetings
  • All Staff meetings
  • Workgroups
• Transport youth in your personal vehicle with mileage reimbursed
• Collaborate with your Program Manager and the Programming & Wellness Manager to provide wrap around support for your youth and their families
• Participate in and support special activities and fundraising events
• Fulfil other responsibilities as requested

To be successful in mentoring youth, you will:

• Utilize trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens in your work
• Spend time with your roster, one-on-one and in group activity settings
• Set and accomplish short-term academic and developmental goals for your roster Support academic skill development to ensure your youth are at grade level
• Assist with systems navigation to remove barriers to access for your youth and their families
• Utilize data to inform your work with your youth and families
• Nurture emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping strategies and  help youth develop healthy lifestyle choices through workshops and activities designed to encourage physical activity, nutrition education, and mental wellness practices
• Advocate to secure additional resources, opportunities, and services for youth as appropriate
• Develop positive relationships with families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life

Qualifications:

• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years
• Bilingual Spanish or Chuukese preferred but not required
• Have a safe and reliable vehicle for driving to various work locations and transporting youth
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills
• Technical skills that include ability to utilize a computer, MS Outlook email and calendar, smart phone, and the ability to learn and adapt to other various types of web-based platforms for expense reporting, time tracking for payroll, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• A sense of humor is a plus

Salary Range:

Full-time, non-exempt position at an hourly rate of $24.04

Benefits:

The benefit package is comprehensive and includes the following:

• Medical, dental, EAP, and vision coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization; 25% of the premium for dependents is paid for by the organization
• 401k plan with matching of up to 2.5%
• Long-term Disability, Life, and ADD coverage paid 100% for the employee by the organization

Plus a robust paid time off package that includes the following annually (prorated based on start date):

• 120 hours vacation (with progressive increases based on longevity)
• 80 hours sick
• 10 paid holidays
• 6 mental health days
• Paid time off for the work days that occur during our closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Professional Level:

Professional

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

Minimum of an Associate’s degree

Minimum of three years working with children 

Location:

Vancouver, Washington

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12 years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

 To learn more about Friends of the Children go to: https://friendsswwa.org/