Bilingual - In School Mentoring Lead

Position: Bilingual - In School Mentoring Lead Mentor (2 positions available)  James Shields Middle School 

  FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt – Full-time

  Hourly Amount: $23 - $24

  Reporting Relationship : In School Mentoring Manager

Benefits: BBBS offers a competitive benefits package which includes Health and Dental coverage, Vision, Critical Illness, Accidental coverage, Voluntary and Basic Life Insurance, Short and Long-term disability, Flexible Spending Account, and a matching 401K retirement plan. To qualify for benefits, the incumbent must work on average 30 hours per week.

  ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO CHICAGO (BBBSChi):

BBBSChi’S Mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

BBBSChi’S Vision is that all youth achieve their full potential.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago is an affiliate of the nation’s largest donor-and volunteer-supported mentoring network. We provide high-quality mentoring services to thousands of children and their families across Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in both Illinois and Indiana. Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully matches children (“Littles”) with caring, screened and trained adult mentors (“Bigs”). Throughout the course of their mentoring relationship (“match”), we monitor and support the match, providing safety and quality measures, as well as outcome-based activity ideas and goals. Learn more at .

BBBSChi’s Core Value is that we deeply believe Access, Belonging, and Opportunity is paramount and fundamental to BBBSChi’s success. We all work to build and   maintain   a positive work environment for our staff, volunteers, and program participants. It is our belief that every staff member should embrace   these principles in the decision-making process.   Therefore, we fully expect the ideal candidate   will carry   out their function with these core values in mind and treat everyone respectfully and fairly.

Position Summary:  

The ISM Lead Mentor will work out of an assigned school, supporting approximately 50-80 elementary school aged youth (Littles) through facilitating both group and individual mentoring sessions. The Lead Mentor will provide positive role modeling and exposure to help Littles plan and set goals, increase social and emotional skills, as well as their self-confidence and sense of belonging. The support will be provided by facilitating group-specific curriculum along with individual mentoring sessions with Littles as needed, along with additional volunteer management and collaboration. The Lead Mentor will collaborate with a Mentoring Manager to enroll participants and effectively deliver the program’s curriculum. An ideal candidate will be able to form relationships with youth that lead to positive outcomes.

  Responsibilities:

· In conjunction with ISM Manager, schedule, process, interview, assess and match (group and one-to-one) participating youth based on assessment recommendations

· Leads mentoring groups by facilitating group relationship development and scheduled lessons in coordination with the site school

· Mentors a caseload of youth either in a group or 1:1 match relationship during scheduled sessions throughout the year

· Maintains progress monitoring data for each Little.

· Prepares and implements mentoring curriculum and activities, while also recommending adjustments to material as needed

· Implements positive behavior facilitation strategies to ensure a safe group mentoring environment

· Provides timely (no later than 48 hours) documentation; including attendance, session notes and match activities, and ensures all required data is accurately entered into agency databases

· Attends and actively participates in weekly check-ins with the ISM Manager to review progress of Littles and adjust programming as needed

· Conducts monthly check-ins with the school point of contact along with the ISM Manager

· Integrate into the school staffing model to provide value add service and ensure alignment with school policies and development

· Coordinate communication with parents/guardians, teachers, ISM Coordinator, BBBSChi program team and other relevant supports in youth’s life when necessary

· Plans, coordinates, and attends BBBSChi and school-sponsored events, including welcome back and end-of-year celebrations, field trips, and enrichment outings, ensuring youth engagement and program visibility

· Participates in agency training, team meetings, and professional development opportunities to enhance service delivery and youth outcomes

· Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by providing feedback on curriculum, processes, and program structure

· Ensures compliance with BBBS Standards of Practice and youth safety protocols at all times

· Incorporate Agency approved AI-supported tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) to enhance service delivery, improve workflow efficiency.

· Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A belief in the Mission and Vision of BBBS 
• Ability to fluently speak Spanish and English is required 
• Associate’s degree required and at least 1-year relevant work experience in related fields, such as social work, counseling, social services, child development, or education
• Previous experience working in schools with youth directly preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required
• Solid understanding about and willingness to perform as a Mandated Reporter
• Assessment and relational development experience with child and adult populations
• Understanding of child development and family dynamics
• Experience working in diverse populations is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work both in a team and independently; exercising good judgment, make sound decisions & problem solving
• Ability to work with confidential information required 
• A strong commitment to quality and results 
• Strong computer skills - Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Work, Outlook, Excel and internet-based applications
• Ability to collect meaningful data and draw solid conclusions
• Demonstrate ability to build rapport, engage, and work effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds in a supportive and age-appropriate manner

Work Environment:  

This position operates in a professional office environment.  

There is an expectation to work onsite five days a week.  

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

130 S. Jefferson St.

Chicago, IL 60661