Lead Youth Mentor
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Program Director or Manager
Date: March 2023
Each day at Volunteers of America, we strive to exemplify our foundational pillar of Servant Leadership and Cultural Values of Communication, Compassion, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.
At VOA we are committed to providing opportunities that help staff grow and enhance their skill sets. As part of this commitment, we invest in on-the-job training to prepare employees for their new positions and offer professional development opportunities, coaching, and career pathways to promote our culture of helping staff advance their careers throughout the organization.
JOB DESCRIPTION
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Summary/Objective
The Lead Youth Mentor position is responsible for youth safety and well-being from 10 years to 17 years. Lead Youth Mentors act as role models, mentors, and advocates to young people brought to the Crisis Shelter/Group Home, who potentially face a wide range of challenges, such as behavioral and legal issues, substance abuse, and dysfunction in the home.
Essential Functions for Lead Youth Mentor
- Regularly coordinates intakes and orientation of new residents.
- Is familiar with resident’s personal, family, academic and behavioral matters.
- Ensures ongoing resident compliance with the Resident Handbook and other individualized program plan requirements.
- Regularly advises supervisor of disciplinary issues, special needs, and emergencies.
- Coordinates resident individual service plan.
- Facilitates weekly RAP meetings with residents.
- Prepares progress reports for the Department of Family Services.
- Coordinates discharge plan with appropriate team members.
- Participates in on-call rotation, as scheduled.
- Coordinates resident appointments with the court, DFS, doctors, dentists, and mental health.
- Attends multi-disciplinary team meetings.
- Provides shift coverage for up to 24 hours per week.
- Conducts searches of resident bedrooms on an as-needed basis and at least once a month.
- Conducts resident discharge planning meetings.
- Assists in meal planning, in the shopping for food, household, and other needs of the facility.
- Provides youth with a structured, positive environment.
- Coaches/Mentors youth on demonstration of positive and appropriate behaviors by the behavior management system.
- Ensures the overall health, safety, and security of assigned youth; ensure all fire and safety measures are observed.
- Monitors the movement inside and outside facility, contacts, events, and behaviors associated with youth.
- Acts as a liaison between Stepping Stones and other supporting organizations.
- Ensures group home cleanliness and upkeep.
- Performs partial intake process on all new arrivals.
- Regularly tours and observes the facility and grounds to ensure a high level of security.
- Prepares meals for youth.
- Transports youth to school, appointments, etc. using a company vehicle.
- Other Duties as assigned
Competencies
- Effective communicator; assertive when necessary
- Respectful and professional toward patients
- Calm under pressure and able to manage crisis
- Confidential with patient information
- Organized with time management skills to meet tight deadlines
- Continuous demonstration of behaviors aligned with a posture of servant leadership and our cultural values
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities
Work Environment
This job operates in a residential treatment facility environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptops, photocopiers, and smartphones.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This job’s specific vision abilities include close vision and adjusting focus. This would require the ability to bend or stoop as necessary. This position must be mobile throughout the facility and work on a computer for periods.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position in a 24/7 facility. Days and hours of work vary according to assigned shifts.
Travel
Little to no travel is expected for this position.
Required Education, Experience, or Eligibility Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science or related field and one year of related work experience, or
- Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science or related field and two years of related work experience, or
- High school diploma or equivalent and minimum of two years case management or related field experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science or related field and two years of related work experience
EEO Statement
Volunteers of America Northern Rockies is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics. Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 307-672-0475.
