Description

Job Title: Community-Based Treatment Youth Mentor

Department: Community-Based Treatment

Position Summary

The Community-Based Treatment Youth Mentor provides individualized mentoring and support to children and youth in their homes, schools, and communities. Through consistent relationships, coaching, modeling, and meaningful activities, the Youth Mentor helps young people build social and life skills, strengthen independence, make positive decisions, and develop connections to their communities. The Youth Mentor works as part of a team supporting youth and families in achieving identified goals and building on their individual strengths.

Department

New Directions' Community-Based Treatment program is an intensive, family-centered service designed to help children and families achieve and maintain successful functioning at home, in school, and within the community. Mentoring services support children and youth ages 5–18 through individualized goals and activities focused on areas such as social skills, mood management, independence, school attendance, parent-child relationships, and connections to community supports.

Agency

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Pay and Benefits

• Pay: $19.04 – $20.85 per hour
• Paid Time Off: 120 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays
• Insurance: Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Retirement: 401k with up to 3% agency match
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Join a company where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years

Hours/Schedule

Full-Time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday

Professional Development Opportunities

New Directions supports professional growth through ongoing training, supervision, and opportunities to develop skills in youth mentoring, family support, crisis response, and community-based services. Employees are supported in building their expertise and pursuing advancement opportunities within the organization.

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Youth Mentoring and Skill Development

• Build and maintain consistent, supportive relationships with youth over time.
• Teach and reinforce pro-social decision-making through coaching and modeling.
• Help youth develop social, life, and independent living skills through individualized experiences and activities.
• Work with youth to identify strengths, build resiliency, and make progress toward identified goals.
• Support youth in developing skills and strategies that promote greater independence and success at home, in school, and in the community.

Community Connection and Support

• Connect youth with community activities, recreational opportunities, and other positive supports.
• Help youth identify and access resources that strengthen their connections within the community.
• Advocate for youth and support access to services and resources based on individual needs.
• Serve as a positive representative and ambassador for New Directions in the community.

Crisis and Family Support

• Provide support during crises and use challenging situations as opportunities for learning and skill development.
• Work effectively with youth and families to address needs and support identified goals.
• Participate in parent training and group work as needed.

Collaboration and Documentation

• Attend case-related conferences, meetings, and other collaborative planning activities.
• Complete timely and accurate case-related documentation.
• Collaborate with social workers, supervisors, families, community providers, and other members of the youth's support team.

Training and Agency Standards

• Participate in regular supervision and maintain a learning-focused approach to professional development.
• Attend all mandatory in-service trainings and other trainings necessary to maintain expertise in the field.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification as provided by the agency.
• Follow agency policies, procedures, safety standards, and workplace expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect youth with appropriate services and supports.
• Ability to advocate effectively for youth.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with youth and families.
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, staff, and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, electronically, and through written documentation.
• Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
• Valid driver's license, adequate auto insurance, and ability to meet the requirements of New Directions' Driver's License and Auto Insurance policies.
• Ability to pass an annual physical for Category 1 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy.
• Ability to comply with agency safety standards and maintain responsibility for personal conduct related to safe and healthy working conditions.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of youth and/or community experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• At least one year of experience providing children's services.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable human service organization to apply.