Position Title: Mentoring Specialist & Events Coordinator
Department: Youth Mentoring Services
Status: Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee, Classification 6A
Work Location: Based in Los Angeles – combination of remote and office-based (three days in office required)
We recognize that the diversity of the community we serve must be reflected in every aspect of our organization for JBBBSLA and Camp Bob Waldorf to have the greatest impact. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is vital to our mission and is essential for our success.
Join a forward-thinking organization making a positive impact on children’s lives. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA), celebrating over 100 years of service, is seeking a dynamic individual for their innovative and collaborative team. JBBBSLA provides mentoring services, teen empowerment programs, college support, and year-round camp experiences at Camp Bob Waldorf. Their mission is to assist children in achieving their full potential through innovative, impactful programs.
Job Summary – This is a front-facing and collaborative role in the Youth Mentoring department with responsibilities that fall into two main areas. The Mentoring Specialist (MS) role works with families and volunteers to support matches for “Bigs” and ”Littles.” Through regular communication with Littles, Bigs and Parents/Guardians (PGs), the Mentoring Specialist will ensure child safety, promote positive impacts for youth, foster constructive and satisfying relationships between children and volunteers, and cultivate for all constituents a strong sense of affiliation with the agency. All processes and communication are documented in our workflow/database and executed with outstanding customer service. As needed, they also will support the enrollment process. The goal of the Event Coordinator role is to develop and execute fun, meaningful events and activities for our Youth Mentoring Program. Success in this role leads to increased agency engagement for Bigs, Littles and PGs, builds community at multiple levels, and enhances the programmatic experience overall. The Event Coordinator also will collaborate internally and externally to maximize resources and procure free or low-cost match outing opportunities. The combined roles of the Mentoring Specialist and Events Coordinator position provide the employee with a diversity of responsibilities and a high level of team collaboration and support.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Key Mentoring Specialist responsibilities:
- Conduct Match Support contacts with volunteers, children and parents/guardians, covering all Service Delivery areas in compliance with Standards of Practice
- Document comprehensive written summaries of all match support contacts in database.
- Address potential problems and barriers promptly toward resolution whenever possible.
- Promote agency engagement at various levels for all constituents when appropriate, e.g., youth participation in events and other programs, and Bigs’ involvement as committee members, donors, board members or other volunteer capacities.
- Facilitate development of Youth Outcome Development Plans for each match.
- Utilize validated surveys to determine health and progression of the match relationship and to determine child’s growth in the program, providing additional support/intervention as needed based on survey data.
- Support and coach matches as needed to help avoid unnecessary or premature closures
- Additional roles may include supporting mentor training, parent/guardian engagement initiatives and our e-Newsletter, for instance.
- Other duties as assigned.
Key Event Coordinator responsibilities:
- Plan, develop and execute match events and activities within budget that are innovative, engaging, age-appropriate and relevant.
- Serve as primary liaison for the Events & Activities (E&A) focus of the Youth Mentoring Committee.
- In collaboration with Community Engagement Manager, cultivate external partnerships for in-kind services or match activity opportunities at reduced costs
- Maintain thorough, accurate documentation related to event processes (e.g., communication with vendors, event-related expenses, existing and potential partnerships, etc.)
- Utilize effective community engagement, marketing and outreach strategies to
- Ensure adequate attendance at events.
- Improve cost-effectiveness of events and activities.
- Solicit in-kind donations for match outings to help reduce the cost of mentoring for volunteers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate with a strong belief in the mission of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:
- Bachelor’s degree (preference for fields related to social work, psychology, communications, human development, etc.).
- 1-2 years of experience working with children in a social services or customer service environment with a working understanding of child development and family dynamics
- Relationship management experience with youth, volunteer and/or adult populations.
- High-level customer service in all areas of responsibility
- Solid networking skills with ability to recognize and cultivate the potential for connections/ partnerships.
- Highly collaborative workstyle with well-developed, active listening skills and outstanding communication skills (oral/written).
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
- Strong interpersonal insight with ability to document observations and impressions with objectivity and professionalism.
- Able to develop rapport with individuals and groups from diverse sectors.
- Solid organizational skills, comfortable multi-tasking and able to shift priorities quickly when needed.
- Outside-the-box thinker with strong initiative and a keen ability to leverage opportunities for multiple purposes.
- Able to make sound decisions and problem-solve effectively with good judgment.
- Strong commitment to quality and results with good attention to detail.
- Solid computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet-based applications, able to learn and navigate a database (experience with Salesforce software a plus).
- Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, state-required auto insurance minimums and willingness to travel as necessitated by job responsibilities.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (some evenings and/or weekends)
- Working knowledge of the Los Angeles Jewish community preferred.
- Strong preference given to candidates having current or previous experience with any Big Brothers Big Sisters agency.
Benefits Package: JBBBSLA offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary range ($25-$28/hour) commensurate with experience. We close early on Fridays in observance of Shabbat, creating a 38-hour work week. We enjoy a fun office environment and a fantastic team of people dedicated to the meaningful work we do.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to ([email protected]), and please enter Mentoring Specialist & Events Coordinator in the SUBJECT line. No phone calls, please.