JOB TITLE: Alternative Education Mentor Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Operations
REPORTS TO: Director of Program Innovation & Data
FLSA STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt, Salary
MISSION: Creating and supporting mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of the next generation.
VISION: Through mentorship, all youth achieve their full potential.
JOB SUMMARY In partnership with the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) – ACCESS (Alternative, Community, Correctional, Education Schools & Services), the Alternative Education Mentor Specialist provides mentoring and support to youth who may be credit-deficient, at risk of not graduating, or experiencing personal and academic challenges. This role provides onsite small-group sessions and individualized engagement to strengthen student attendance, boost academic achievement, and promote collaborative skills that support productive citizenship. The Specialist is responsible for enrolling students, facilitating group sessions, and offering individualized guidance as students transition through alternative and continuation school settings, while collaborating with school and district leaders to support long-term student success.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Recruitment & Enrollment
- Present program benefits to school staff and students through engaging presentations and one-on-one conversations.
- Guide students into the program by clearly explaining expectations and helping them understand the level of commitment required.
- Conduct a thorough enrollment process to gather information about each student’s background, home environment, academic performance, and social networks.
- Collaborate with students to set personal goals for their mentoring experience and use these to shape Youth Outcome Development Plans (YODPs).
- Communicate regularly with school staff and BBBS leadership to share important updates and insights.
- Develop and maintain detailed student profiles in MatchForce to track progress, ensure continuity of support, and inform ongoing mentoring strategies.
Group & Individualized Case Management
- Design and lead group activities that introduce students to mentoring, encourage peer connection, and build teamwork skills.
- Facilitate small-group mentoring sessions that create space for shared dialogue, problem-solving, and skill development.
- Manage a cohort of students, providing consistent one-to-one support focused on setting goals, monitoring progress, and offering tailored support through Youth Outcome Development Plans (YODPs).
- Apply best practices in engagement by adapting activities and communication to accommodate diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and motivational needs.
- Deliver educational materials, presentations, or other approved content developed collaboratively by BBBS and OCDE to enhance student learning and strengthen the mentoring experience.
Student Support & Engagement
- Build trust and belonging with students who may be credit-deficient, justice-involved, or experiencing instability at home through trauma-informed and restorative practices that promote consistency and resilience.
- Conduct goal-oriented check-ins aligned with students’ YODP goals, helping them build self-regulation, confidence, and positive decision-making skills while recognizing and reinforcing progress toward re-engagement and graduation.
- Promote a safe and supportive learning environment by modeling non-violent communication, guiding de-escalation, and teaching conflict resolution.
- Collaborate with teaching staff, probation officers, counselors, and families to address barriers to engagement and support transitions between alternative and traditional education settings.
- Connect students and families with school and community resources that address basic needs and promote long-term stability—especially for highly mobile, housing-insecure, or foster youth.
School & District Collaboration
- Serve as a liaison between BBBS, OCDE, and continuation schools to ensure program visibility and alignment with school priorities.
- Engage principals, teachers, counselors and OCDE representatives in regular meetings to share program impact, highlight student progress, and build stronger collaboration.
- Maintain a regular presence within the school buildings to support students directly & foster stronger relationships with school staff.
- Prepare and deliver presentations for academic administrators that showcase student outcomes, program successes, and alignment with district goals.
- Prepare reports highlighting student growth, mentoring outcomes, and key program performance indicators.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
- Keep accurate records of mentoring sessions, student progress, and outcomes in compliance with BBBS and OCDE standards.
- Use tracking tools to measure student growth in engagement, social-emotional development, and academic progress.
- Collect and analyze data to inform a white paper highlighting program outcomes, insights, and impact.
- Administer surveys and feedback tools to gather input from students, mentors, and school staff for continuous program improvement.
- Any other duties as assigned.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience working with youth, preferably in alternative education, continuation schools, juvenile justice, reentry education programs, mentoring, or social service
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to facilitate group sessions and conduct individualized case management.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic school-based environment.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency in Google Suite, MS Office, and case management/data entry systems (Salesforce/MatchForce experience a plus).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is highly preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Training in non-violent crisis intervention, conflict de-escalation, or restorative engagement practices.
- Experience working with youth in continuation schools, alternative education settings, or juvenile justice systems.
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and/or motivational interviewing.
- Candidates with lived experience in alternative education or justice-involved pathways are strongly encouraged to apply.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, as well as occasional standing and walking.
- Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds (such as program materials, supplies, or office equipment).
- Ability to travel to various sites, events, and meetings as required by the role.
- May occasionally work in outdoor environments and be exposed to varying weather conditions.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The environmental conditions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
- Routine office environment.
- Frequent independent travel.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and required skills. Job Description may be subject to change to meet the needs of the organization.
Your employment with BBBSOCIE will be “at will,” meaning that either you or BBBSOCIE may end your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $68,700.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
