Professional Mentor (Friend) at Friends of the Children Houston

*** NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE ***

STATUS: Exempt, Full time

REPORTS TO: Program Director 

SALARY: $50,000 - $52,000 

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified:

BASIC FUNCTION:

A Friend works intensively with eight (8) children as a positive adult role model to develop a caring, trusting, and sustained relationship with each child.  For each child, a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote their strengths, talents and abilities; help assure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior.  A Friend will fully document activities and participate in an ongoing evaluation process.  Friends will work primarily one-on-one with their children.  A Friend must also know, understand, honor and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, principles and policies, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.

CORE JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Demonstrate Core Values:  Growth Mindset, Positive Relationship Building, Find Your Spark, Problem Solving, Self-Determination, Self-Management, Perseverance/Grit, Hope, and Belonging.
• Spend time with children, one-on-one and in the classroom.
• Develop, maintain, and follow a Roadmap/Goals or Transition Plan for each child.
• Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities and needs.
• Teach life skills and healthy habits to contribute both to basic development and learning, and to contribute to building positive self-esteem.
• Develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child to help develop positive self-esteem and experience growing confidence.
• Provide enrichment resources and activities which include opportunities for cultural awareness, diversity and community service. 
• Contribute to children acquiring behavioral management skills, tolerance, respect for others, courtesy, and compassion.
• Develop positive relationships with families, teachers and others involved in each child’s life.
• Facilitate development/progress of academic skills and learning.
• Model and promote good problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Participate in the programming and resources available through the organization, effectively utilizing program resources to meet the needs of each child.
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
• Complete, distribute and collect time summaries, activity journals, short term plans, expense reports and evaluation materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions.
• Provide information and support to Leadership team and related activities as needed.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as required.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Ability to relate to children (starting at age 4) and to develop and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with them.
• Strong interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings to help them learn and grow.
• Ability to cultivate trusting relationships with children, parents, teachers, community members and other supportive adults in youth’s environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate appropriately within the workplace. 
• Ability to use creativity and initiative in planning activities to continually develop children.
• Ability to work independently in diverse environments with limited supervision. 
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively exercising appropriate discretion and judgment.
• Ability to set goals and develop plans to meet those goals to ensure the development of each child.
• Ability to complete administrative tasks accurately and on time.
• Ability to handle high mobility and driving demands safely and with good judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to have compassion, patience, and cultural competency for families/youth who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to exercise good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Transport children in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities around the Houston area. You will be reimbursed for mileage related to youth transportation.  

WORKING HOURS:

This is a full-time, exempt position. Due to the nature of a Friend’s role, the work hours are somewhat non-traditional.   During the school year, the general workweek is Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00am to 7:00pm, with Sunday and Monday as days off.  Some flexibility is needed to attend meetings and/or training.  During the summer, the work schedule will be standard Monday through Friday, with some occasional evenings and weekends (e.g. special events).  We recognize that each Friend’s daily work schedule will vary due to the uniqueness of the role and the needs of the individual children being served. Each Friend is expected to exercise appropriate discretion in this regard.  The Program requires that you see each of your assigned children both in- and outside of school, for an average of four hours each week, although how you accomplish that is at your discretion within established Program guidelines and consulting with supervisor/Program Director.   

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus 2-4 years’ experience working/volunteering with youth in a social service setting or with families impacted by systemic injustice and chronic trauma.
• Alternatively, associate’s degree required, plus 4-6 years’ experience working/volunteering with youth in a social service setting or with families impacted by systemic injustice and chronic trauma.
• Spanish Speaking highly preferred
• Mentoring experience with children and families impacted by the child welfare system. 
• Be culturally competent:  Having a critical understanding of the youth and family within their cultural context.  Engage and deliver services by acknowledging, respecting, and integrating youth and family’s cultural values.  
• Engage in continuous learning and development.
• Be proficient in administrative tasks (scheduling, documenting, time management, computer skills, etc.)
• Have an aptitude to use data to inform youth work.

This position requires substantial driving from school sites, homes, and community activities. The main clubhouse and students are primarily located in the Cy-Fair, Greenspoint, Tomball and Aldine areas.