Youth Mentoring Specialist

Job Overview: The Youth Mentoring Specialist supports clients in IRC’s Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program to reach their academic, vocational, and social integration goals. MYVA promotes positive civic and social engagement and supports educational and vocational advancement for eligible youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Youth are selected for the mentorship program based on an initial assessment of needs and goals and are matched with trained, volunteer adult mentors for a minimum of 6 months. In addition to one-on-one coaching with their mentor, program activities include case management, group workshops and enrichment opportunities.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Receive referrals from internal and external partners. Screen, interview, and enroll potential clients for the MYVA program according to program requirements.
• Perform case management and individualized education and career coaching services for youth/young adults enrolled in MYVAto develop and implement their individualized program goals.
• Plan and implement regular group social and networking events, cultural enrichment activities, and civic and community service activities.
• Design and lead career readiness activities on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, networking, job shadowing, and internship opportunities for program participants.
• In collaboration with IRC’s Economic Empowerment team, build new and maintain existing partnerships with employers, career building programs, and workforce development organizations as appropriate for youth program participants.
• In partnership with IRC volunteer coordinators, recruit, train, and coach volunteer mentors according to needs and goals of MYVA program participants.
• Match volunteer mentors with MYVA program participants. Maintain ongoing communications with both mentors and mentees to provide support and guidance, and ensure that progress towards program goals and IRC standards of safeguarding are being met.
• In coordination with mentors, school counselors, and others, design and lead workshops and activities to guide youth on college readiness and other post-secondary training and educational opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and current data on all enrolled MYVA clients to satisfy recordkeeping and reporting requirements including participation in service activities.
• Assist youth enrolled in other IRC Virginia Youth Programs with job placement services as needed.
• Provide referrals to other community mentorship and tutoring programs to match youth with additional academic and social supports.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, social services, or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.

Work Experience:

• Prior experience providing individualized support to recently arrived immigrant youth strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with positive youth development programming, educational support services, and career and vocational training required.
• Prior experience working with volunteers a plus.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to build strong mentoring relationships with youth and provide guidance while respecting the self-determination of all clients
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Must be proactive and feel comfortable in a leadership role.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Occasional weekend and/or evening work required.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.