Academic Specialist/Mentor

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Recruitment, Outreach & Enrollment

· Assist with the recruitment and enrollment of 75 eligible youth ages 16 through 24.

· Retain a caseload of 75 youth per year. 

· 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. 

· Conduct outreach through phone calls, text messages, email, schools, community organizations, referrals, social media, community events, and other approved recruitment strategies.

· Explain program services, eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, participation expectations, and available workforce opportunities to prospective participants.

· Follow up with referrals and prospective participants in a timely manner to encourage completion of the enrollment process.

· Assist participants with completing applications, intake forms, assessments, eligibility documentation, and other required enrollment paperwork.

· Follow up with prospective participants regarding missing documentation or incomplete enrollment requirements.

· Maintain accurate recruitment, referral, enrollment, and outreach tracking logs.

· Participate in recruitment events, orientations, information sessions, job fairs, and community outreach activities.

· Assist with meeting program enrollment and recruitment goals.

Academic Support

· Assess participants' academic needs, strengths, and areas for improvement.

· Provide individualized tutoring, homework assistance, study strategies, and academic coaching.

· Assist participants with improving reading, writing, mathematics, digital literacy, and other foundational skills.

· Support participants in developing effective study habits, time-management skills, and organizational strategies.

· Help participants identify academic barriers and develop action plans to address them.

· Assist participants with GED, ESL, high school completion, post-secondary education, credentialing, and training pathways.

· Refer participants to appropriate educational, tutoring, GED, ESL, or supportive services when needed.

Mentoring & Youth Development

· Establish consistent, supportive, and professional relationships with assigned participants.

· Serve as a positive role model and provide guidance related to education, employment, career planning, and personal development.

· Help participants develop self-confidence, communication skills, problem-solving skills, accountability, and workplace behaviors.

· Support participants in setting and achieving short- and long-term academic, personal, and career goals.

· Encourage participant engagement, attendance, retention, and successful completion of program requirements.

· Identify participants who may be at risk of disengagement and develop appropriate strategies for re-engagement.

· Provide encouragement, accountability, and ongoing support throughout the participant's program experience.

Workforce & Career Development

· Assist youth with career exploration and identification of career interests, skills, and career pathways.

· 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. 

· Help participants develop resumes, cover letters, applications, and professional profiles.

· Conduct mock interviews and provide interview preparation.

· Teach workplace expectations, professional communication, workplace etiquette, soft skills, and professional conduct.

· Assist participants with identifying employment, internship, work-based learning, education, and training opportunities.

· Support participants in preparing for job fairs, employer interviews, orientations, and worksite placements.

· Provide ongoing mentoring and support to help participants successfully transition into employment, education, or training.

· Support employment retention by addressing barriers and providing appropriate follow-up and referrals.

Participant Engagement & Follow-Up

· Maintain regular communication with participants throughout recruitment, enrollment, participation, placement, and post-program follow-up.

· Monitor participant attendance, engagement, academic progress, workforce milestones, and completion of required activities.

· Follow up with participants who are absent, unresponsive, or at risk of dropping out.

· Develop strategies to re-engage participants who have stopped responding or participating in program activities.

· Provide reminders regarding appointments, orientations, workshops, training, interviews, worksite experiences, and other program requirements.

· Conduct scheduled 30, 60, 90 and 120-day follow-ups.

· Document participant employment, education, training, credential attainment, retention, and other required outcomes.

· Identify barriers affecting participation and connect youth with appropriate supportive services and community resources.

· Maintain consistent communication with participants to encourage accountability and successful program completion.

· Provide referral to internal and external partners.

· Conducts Home visits.

Case Management & Documentation

· Maintain accurate and timely participant records in ILWorknet.

· Document recruitment contacts, enrollment activities, mentoring contacts, academic support, referrals, follow-up attempts, progress, and participant outcomes.

· Maintain accurate case notes and supporting documentation in accordance with SGA and funder requirements.

· Monitor participant progress toward individualized academic, career, and workforce goals.

· Complete required assessments, progress reports, case notes, follow-up reports, and program documentation.

· Ensure participant information is entered accurately and timely into required systems.

· Communicate participant concerns, barriers, progress, and outcomes to the Workforce Program Manager/Director.

· Maintain confidentiality of participant information in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.

· Coordinates with the Job Developer to provide ongoing program support and implementation.

· Enters daily attendance, case notes into ILWorknet.

Collaboration & Program Support

· Collaborate with job developer, employers, schools, training providers, and community partners.

· Coordinate participant referrals and supportive services to address academic, employment, and personal barriers.

· Participate in staff meetings, trainings, orientations, workshops, and program events.

· Assist with facilitating workforce development, academic, career readiness, and life-skills workshops.

· Support program enrollment, retention, placement, and outcome initiatives.

· Assist with maintaining program compliance and meeting contractual and funder performance requirements.

· Provide information and updates to program management regarding recruitment, participant engagement, progress, and outcomes.

· 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.

· Perform 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