Academic Specialist/Mentor
Job Type
Full-time
Description
  • Provides mentorship and advocacy services to youth ages 16 and 24 with a consistent caseload of 30 youth.
  • Assists with recruiting and retaining 30 youth.  
  • Works with each youth to develop an Individualized Service Plan to address areas for improvement such as housing, academics, social emotional learning, counseling referrals, life skills, etc. 
  • Works with Job Developer to support employment opportunities, site visits, and retention efforts.
  • Ensures files remain up-to-date and in compliance.
  • Completes employability skills checklist, conduct all Illinois WorkNet modules, & ensure pre/post assessment.
  • Assist in-school youth to improve educational outcomes.
  • Provide information and referrals to internal and external resources
  • Re-engage out-of-school youth in educational activity.
  • Collects, reviews, and analyzes all transcripts for youth to determine GED or High School Diploma track.
  • Utilizes Labor Market Data and information to help guide youth in career and education goals.
  • Works to assist youth to determine what factors put them at risk of engaging in or becoming victims of aggressive behavior and other anxieties.
  • Helps to determine what methods each youth should use in order to avoid risk-taking factors and reach their goals.
  • Works in collaboration within the targeted communities to cultivate relationships with local community resources.
  • Reaches out and re-engage youth that have inconsistent attendance, work with families to bring resources to the home, and connect with programs.
  • Conducts Home visits.
  • Support outreach events, referral systems, and programs facilitated by other departments within agency. 
  • Transporting students in vehicle to and from program related activities may be required.
  • Implements other services requested by SGA or funder.
  • Maintain detailed record of activities to regularly track impact of outreach efforts and to facilitate appropriate reports to funders and government agencies. 
  • Enters daily attendance, case notes into ILWorknet.
  • Coordinates with the Job Developer to provide ongoing program support and implementation.
  • Conducts required reports and data material to SGA such as the Employability/Life Assessment, TABE Test etc.
  • Ability and experience in short and long-range planning and strategy Detail oriented with the ability to multi-task and self-direct your work 
  • Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
  • Attributes/Skills Required/Sought:
  • Tuesday - Saturday Availability
  • Must be Bilingual 
  • Experience working one on one with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
  • Ability to display sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the service population.
  • Experience/Education Required/Sought:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in social work, criminal justice or related field, preferred
  • Experience working with teens and young adults, preferred
  • Experience working in neighborhoods on Chicago’s south and west sides.
  • Experience working with individuals dealing with factors that put them at-risk of becoming victims of aggressive behavior.
  • Evening and weekend availability required.

 Full Time Employee Benefits Package: 

  • Health Insurance (HMO and PPO options)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Short & Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Employee Life Insurance
  • 403b Retirement Plan 
  • RTA Commuter Benefit

Time Off Eligible after 90 days

  • 10 days accrued vacation 
  • 10 days accrued sick 
  • 2 Personal days