Academic Specialist/Mentor

Description:

• Provides mentorship and advocacy services to youth ages 16 and 24 with a consistent caseload of 75 youth.
• Assists with recruiting and retaining 75 youth.
• Works with each youth to develop an Individualized Service Plan to address areas for improvement such as housing, academics, social emotional learning, counseling referrals, life skills, etc.
• Works with Job Developer to support employment opportunities, site visits, and retention efforts.
• Ensures files remain up-to-date and in compliance.
• Completes employability skills checklist, conduct all Illinois WorkNet modules, & ensure pre/post assessment.
• Assist in-school youth to improve educational outcomes.
• Provide information and referrals to internal and external resources
• Re-engage out-of-school youth in educational activity.
• Collects, reviews, and analyzes all transcripts for youth to determine GED or High School Diploma track.
• Utilizes Labor Market Data and information to help guide youth in career and education goals.
• Works to assist youth to determine what factors put them at risk of engaging in or becoming victims of aggressive behavior and other anxieties.
• Helps to determine what methods each youth should use in order to avoid risk-taking factors and reach their goals.
• Works in collaboration within the targeted communities to cultivate relationships with local community resources.
• Reaches out and re-engage youth that have inconsistent attendance, work with families to bring resources to the home, and connect with programs.
• Conducts Home visits.
• Support outreach events, referral systems, and programs facilitated by other departments within agency.
• Transporting students in vehicle to and from program related activities may be required.
• Implements other services requested by SGA or funder.
• Maintain detailed record of activities to regularly track impact of outreach efforts and to facilitate appropriate reports to funders and government agencies.
• Enters daily attendance, case notes into ILWorknet.
• Coordinates with the Job Developer to provide ongoing program support and implementation.
• Conducts required reports and data material to SGA such as the Employability/Life Assessment, TABE Test etc.
• Ability and experience in short and long-range planning and strategy Detail oriented with the ability to multi-task and self-direct your work
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Attributes/Skills Required/Sought:

• Must be Bilingual
• Experience working one on one with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Ability to display sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the service population

Experience/Education Required/Sought:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice or related field, preferred
• Experience working with teens and young adults, preferred
• Experience working with individuals dealing with factors that put them at-risk of becoming victims of aggressive behavior.
• Evening and weekend availability required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Ability to work varying hours Monday - Friday, Schedule may include some evenings and weekends.
• Must have a vehicle with a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time.
• Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.
• Constantly moves to assist during program activities.
• At times, it may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various needs.
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Full Time Employee Benefits Package:

• Health Insurance (HMO and PPO options)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Life Insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan
• RTA Commuter Benefit

Time Off Eligible after 90 days

• 10 days accrued vacation
• 10 days accrued sick
• 2 Personal days