BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EAST CENTRAL OHIO
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Mentoring Specialist
Department: Programs
Location: Main Office
Reports To: Director of Programs and President & CEO
Number of People Supervised: None
Overtime Status: Non-Exempt
POSITION PURPOSE
The Mentoring Specialist is responsible for providing high-quality enrollment, matching, case management, and ongoing support services to children, families, and volunteer mentors participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio programs.
The Mentoring Specialist guides children, families, and volunteers through the enrollment and matching process while exercising professional judgment and applying Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures, and child safety and risk-management requirements.
Following the establishment of a mentoring relationship, the Mentoring Specialist provides ongoing match support and case management designed to ensure child safety, strengthen mentoring relationships, promote positive youth development, support families, and provide volunteers with a positive and satisfying mentoring experience.
The Mentoring Specialist works collaboratively with the Program Team and other agency staff to achieve organizational goals, strengthen services to children and families, and connect participants with appropriate agency and community resources.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – ENROLLMENT & ASSESSMENT
Manage and process volunteer and child/family inquiries and applications, ensuring timely and professional communication throughout the enrollment process.
Guide prospective volunteers, children, and families from initial inquiry through enrollment, identifying and helping eliminate barriers that may interfere with participation.
Schedule and conduct interviews with potential volunteers, children, and parents/guardians and document responses accurately and within required timeframes.
Conduct child enrollments, including parent/guardian and child interviews, child safety education, and other required enrollment activities.
Coordinate the volunteer reference and background-check process, including reviewing completed references, conducting reference calls as needed, completing required criminal and child abuse background checks, verifying required documentation, and identifying concerns that may influence volunteer enrollment.
Immediately communicate any child safety, volunteer suitability, risk-management, or other significant enrollment concerns to the Director of Programs, President & CEO, and/or appropriate agency leadership.
Review all enrollment information and assessments and exercise professional judgment when making recommendations regarding volunteer and child participation.
Complete comprehensive volunteer and child assessments, including individualized recommendations for participation, match suitability, matchability, support needs, training needs, and potential match considerations.
Assess factors contributing to successful mentoring relationships and appropriately align volunteer interests, strengths, qualifications, preferences, and abilities with the needs and interests of children awaiting a mentor.
Conduct volunteer and client reassessments or updates as required.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of and consistently apply child safety and risk-management standards, policies, and procedures throughout all aspects of enrollment and assessment.
Maintain confidentiality of all sensitive information involving children, families, volunteers, and agency participants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – MATCHING & WAITING LITTLE SUPPORT
Work collaboratively with the Program Team to identify appropriate mentoring relationships and facilitate timely matching of children and volunteers.
Review potential match options and consider compatibility factors including interests, personalities, expectations, needs, preferences, geographic considerations, family circumstances, volunteer strengths, and other factors that may contribute to a successful mentoring relationship.
Complete required match recommendations, introductions, documentation, and other activities associated with establishing new mentoring relationships.
Maintain awareness of children awaiting mentors and actively identify potential matching opportunities as appropriate volunteers become available.
Provide ongoing engagement and communication with children and families awaiting a mentor.
Work collaboratively with the Program Team and other agency staff to implement strategies designed to increase the number of children successfully matched with mentors.
Assist with activities, communications, and engagement opportunities designed to maintain connections with children and families while they await a mentoring relationship.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – MATCH SUPPORT & CASE MANAGEMENT
Maintain an assigned caseload of mentoring relationships within the agency's service area.
Conduct required match support contacts with Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians in accordance with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Standards of Practice and agency policies and procedures.
Continually assess mentoring relationships with a focus on child safety, relationship development, positive youth development, family engagement, volunteer satisfaction, and achievement of individualized match goals.
Identify potential problems, barriers, or concerns within mentoring relationships and intervene as early as possible to provide appropriate support and strengthen the match.
Develop individualized strategies and interventions for mentoring relationships requiring additional support.
Provide information, coaching, training, resources, and support to Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians based upon the individual needs of each mentoring relationship.
Assess family needs and connect children and families with appropriate agency programs, community resources, and additional services when appropriate.
Maintain a high level of knowledge and proficiency regarding child safety and risk management and consistently apply agency and BBBSA policies and procedures.
Document all required match support contacts, observations, concerns, interventions, goals, outcomes, and other case information accurately and within established timeframes.
Maintain accurate and current participant and match information within the agency's case-management system.
Communicate child safety concerns, significant match concerns, policy violations, and potential premature match closures to the Director of Programs, President & CEO, and/or appropriate agency leadership immediately.
Conduct required closure activities and exit interviews with Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians.
Assess the reason for match closure, potential for rematching, and opportunities to maintain volunteer and family engagement with the agency.
Promote continued involvement of volunteers through rematching, agency events, fundraising, board or committee involvement, referrals, and other appropriate opportunities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – SCHOOL-BASED & COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING
Provide program services within Community-Based and/or School-Based mentoring programs as assigned.
Coordinate assigned School-Based mentoring sites, including communication with school personnel, mentors, Littles, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders.
Facilitate assigned School-Based mentoring sessions and provide appropriate oversight, activities, relationship support, and supervision.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with school administrators, teachers, counselors, and other school personnel.
Ensure required enrollment, matching, match support, outcome measurement, and other program documentation is completed accurately and timely for assigned programs.
Work collaboratively with other Mentoring Specialists and Program Team members to ensure consistency, quality, and continuity of services across mentoring programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – TRAINING, MATCH ENGAGEMENT & ACTIVITIES
Assist with the development and implementation of volunteer orientations, pre-match training, child safety education, and other training and educational opportunities for Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians.
Participate in the development and implementation of new volunteer, youth, and family training materials and educational programs as needed.
Identify training and support needs through enrollment and ongoing match support and communicate those needs to the Program Team.
Support ongoing Big, Little, and family engagement through recognition, educational opportunities, match activities, family engagement activities, and other agency initiatives.
Work collaboratively with the Program Team to identify appropriate match activities and engagement opportunities based upon participant needs and interests.
Participate in and staff match activities, family engagement activities, trainings, and other program events as assigned.
Work collaboratively with the Program & Operations Coordinator and other agency staff responsible for the administrative and logistical implementation of match activities and events.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – OUTCOMES, QUALITY & DOCUMENTATION
Administer and/or coordinate required participant surveys, outcome measurements, assessments, and other evaluation tools according to agency and BBBSA requirements.
Monitor participant progress and mentoring relationship outcomes and use available information to identify additional areas of support.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete records within agency databases and case files.
Complete required documentation necessary for BBBSA reporting, agency reports, grants, quality assurance, program evaluation, and other reporting requirements.
Participate in quality-assurance activities and make necessary corrections or improvements identified through internal review.
Maintain compliance with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Standards of Practice, the agency Service Delivery Model, Program Manual, Employee Handbook, and all applicable agency policies and procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & AGENCY SUPPORT
Represent Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio professionally within the community.
Participate in volunteer recruitment, community outreach, resource fairs, presentations, civic organizations, school events, and other community engagement opportunities as assigned.
Educate community members and professional organizations about Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and services as needed.
Identify potential community resources, partnerships, volunteer prospects, donors, or other opportunities discovered through relationships with children, families, volunteers, schools, and community partners and communicate those opportunities to appropriate agency staff.
Participate in and assist with agency fundraising events, special events, and other organizational activities as required.
Support community organizations and collaborative initiatives when appropriate to strengthen relationships, increase awareness, and advance the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Work collaboratively with all departments and staff members to support the overall goals and mission of the organization.
Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the overall scope and purpose of the position.
EDUCATION & RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
Education Level
Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience requirements:
A documented bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, or be within six months of degree completion; or
A documented associate degree or two years of higher education from an accredited college or university in a field determined by the agency to be appropriate for the position, along with two years of relevant work experience in a related field such as social work, counseling, social services, child development, human services, or another related field; or
Four years of relevant work experience in a related field such as social work, counseling, social services, child development, human services, or another field determined appropriate by the agency.
Previous experience working with children, families, volunteers, mentoring programs, nonprofit organizations, social services, behavioral health, or other human-service programs is preferred.
A Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) credential is preferred but is not required for employment in this position.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio supports continued professional development and may provide opportunities for Mentoring Specialists to pursue additional training, certifications, credentials, or licensure relevant to the populations and programs served by the agency, including opportunities to pursue the CDCA credential.
Must possess a valid State Motor Vehicle Operator's License, maintain state-required automobile insurance minimums, and have dependable transportation.
Successful completion of all required background checks and screening requirements established by Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is required.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an emphasis on active listening and the ability to communicate effectively with children, families, volunteers, school personnel, community partners, and coworkers.
Professional Judgment: Ability to gather and assess information, identify potential concerns, make sound professional decisions, and recognize situations requiring consultation or escalation to leadership.
Child Safety & Risk Management: Ability to learn, understand, and consistently apply BBBS child safety, risk-management, enrollment, matching, and match-support requirements.
Case Management: Ability to manage an assigned caseload, prioritize participant needs, maintain required contact schedules, identify concerns, develop appropriate interventions, and maintain accurate documentation.
Relationship Building: Ability to develop trusting, professional relationships with children, parents/guardians, volunteers, school personnel, community partners, and coworkers.
Organization: Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple participants, cases, programs, deadlines, and responsibilities simultaneously.
Problem Solving: Ability to identify concerns, gather relevant information, consider available options, develop appropriate interventions, and seek additional guidance when necessary.
Confidentiality: Demonstrated integrity and ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
Community Resources: Knowledge of or willingness to develop knowledge of community resources available to children and families.
Technology: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn agency databases, case-management systems, communication platforms, and other technology utilized by the organization.
Adaptability: Ability to respond professionally to changing priorities, participant needs, emotionally sensitive situations, and evolving program requirements.
Teamwork: Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a collaborative Program Team and larger agency team.
Mission Commitment: An articulated belief in and commitment to the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Professional Growth: Demonstrates a willingness to participate in ongoing education, training, credentialing, and professional development opportunities that strengthen the employee's ability to serve children and families and support evolving agency programs.
Schedule: Flexible schedule with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for programs, trainings, match activities, fundraising events, community outreach, and other agency functions.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CREDENTIALING
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio values continued professional development and encourages Program Team members to expand their knowledge and qualifications in areas that strengthen services to children and families.
Mentoring Specialists are expected to participate in required Big Brothers Big Sisters of America training as well as additional agency-designated professional development opportunities.
As agency programs and funding opportunities evolve, Mentoring Specialists may have opportunities to complete additional education, training, certifications, and professional credentials relevant to their responsibilities and the populations served.
The agency encourages professional development in areas related to behavioral health, substance use prevention and intervention, trauma-informed care, family support, youth development, and other areas that complement the agency's mentoring and family-support services.
Obtaining or working toward a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) credential is strongly encouraged as a professional development opportunity but is not a condition of initial employment unless otherwise required for a specific program assignment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The ability to travel throughout the agency's service area and work outside regular business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Travel is required based upon assigned job responsibilities. Employees are reimbursed according to the Employee Handbook.
The position requires regular interaction with children, families, volunteers, school personnel, community partners, and members of the public in office, school, home, and community settings.
Ability to perform the physical requirements necessary to facilitate mentoring programs, activities, trainings, and community events.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio provides equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Applicants and employees must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization will determine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities, and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties & responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. BBBSA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.
Pay: $18.00 - $19.23 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
