Employment Mentor

Organizational Mission

Urban Youth Alliance International envisions a society where justice-impacted people reach their full potential through a community grounded in love, action, and redemption. These positions advance that mission by helping young people build trusted relationships, prepare for employment, access opportunity, and remain connected to support.

Our vision is a city and state where justice is restorative; neighborhoods are safe, and young people most affected by violence and systemic inequities have opportunities to thrive. We work toward a future where youth are supported through community rather than incarceration.

Position Summary – Temporary Duration: 12-month Assignment

The Part-Time Mentor provides direct, relationship-based support to participating youth as they prepare for, obtain, and retain employment. The Mentor combines career coaching, practical instruction, individualized employment planning, and consistent follow-up. The role helps each participant identify strengths, address barriers, navigate the workplace, and move toward sustainable employment and career development goals.

Position Type: Schedule: Part-time, Monday–Friday/Saturdays as needed

20 hours per week, including some evening or weekend activities as program needs

Reports To: Program Director

Location: Staten Island Connect – 145 Beach Street,

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build consistent, supportive, and professionally boundaried mentoring relationships with assigned participants.
• Complete individualized employment and career-development plans with participants and revisit goals as circumstances change.
• Provide one-to-one career coaching focused on motivation, problem-solving, accountability, workplace adjustment, and long-term planning.
• Facilitate interactive workshops on resume development, job applications, interview preparation, workplace communication, financial literacy, conflict management, time management, and professional conduct.
• Help participants search and apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, follow up with employers, and connect to employment, training, apprenticeship, and educational opportunities.
• Monitor participant progress and maintain proactive contact during job readiness, placement, and aftercare phases.
• Support employment retention by helping participants respond to workplace challenges, strengthen self-advocacy, and use constructive communication.
• Identify barriers to participation or employment and coordinate referrals to appropriate internal and community-based supportive services.
• Participate in case conferences and collaborate with program staff, employment partners, caregivers, and service providers while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Document mentoring contacts, attendance, service activities, referrals, milestones, employment outcomes, and follow-up efforts accurately and on time.
• Assist with outreach, recruitment, community events, employer visits, and other program activities when assigned.
• Follow all organizational policies related to participant safety, mandated reporting, crisis response, confidentiality, professional boundaries, data security, and incident reporting.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of relevant experience in youth development, mentoring, workforce development, community services, education, coaching, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, work experience, and lived experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to engage adolescents and young adults who may face barriers to employment, education, or community participation.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building, written communication, organization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, protect confidential information, use standard workplace technology, and meet documentation deadlines.
• Ability to travel reliably among Staten Island program sites, community locations, and employer settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, education, criminal justice, workforce development, or related field.
• Experience supporting justice-impacted, system-involved, or opportunity for youth and families.
• Knowledge of Staten Island neighborhoods, community resources, training providers, and local employers.
• Bilingual - English and Spanish.

Core Competencies:

• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement
• Youth-centered coaching and motivational support
• Workshop facilitation, practical skill instruction, documentation, and collaborative follow-through
• Professional boundaries, sound judgment, and reliability

Performance Expectations:

• Maintains consistent participant engagement and documents reasonable re-engagement efforts when contact decreases.
• Delivers scheduled mentoring and workshop activities with preparation, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Supports measurable progress in job readiness, applications, interviews, placements, and employment retention.
• Completes required records on time and contributes to a team culture rooted in love, action, redemption, accountability, and participant dignity.

Pay: $31.00 - $36.26 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Life insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person