Match Support Specialist

College Mentoring Experience•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Match Support Specialist (MSS) is a part-time contractor role (25 hours per week) focused on providing match support to ensure child safety, positive impacts for youth, constructive and satisfying relationships between children and volunteer mentors, and a strong sense of affiliation with the organization. The MSS may also perform duties within other organization programming. The primary function is to ensure the safety and success of mentoring relationships.

Requirements

Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
Organizational and project management skills
Knowledge of best practices in mentoring and student support services
Ability to stay abreast of changing trends and best practices
Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing teams
Critical thinking and ability to use good judgment to solve problems
Proven ability to use data and analytics to tell a story and influence change
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
Exceptional oral and written communication skills
Ability to be flexible and responsive in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Forms, and Teams)
Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, or a related field is required
Previous experience in mentoring programs, non-profit organizations, or related educational support initiatives
High level of expertise in child safety and risk management
Must be able to successfully pass state and federal background checks
Must have a valid driver’s license, and access to reliable transportation
Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Responsibilities

Continually assess the match relationship focusing on: child safety, match relationship development, positive youth development, and mentor satisfaction.
Assess and provide for individual training needs, information, and support needs for each match participant to assure a positive youth development experience for the child, and successful and satisfying experience for the mentor.
Ensure high-level expertise in applying child safety and risk management knowledge, policies, and procedures throughout all aspects of job function.
Develop strategic interventions to identify and strengthen match relationships that require extra support for continued growth.
Develop, promote, and implement individual and group match activities to support ongoing mentor involvement with the child and organization affiliation through individualized recognition, annual events, and reengagement strategies.
Effectively utilize surveys to assess match impact on youth development.
Conduct exit interviews with all parties at match closure.
Assess reasons for match closure and reenrollment potential.
When a match terminates pre-maturely or unexpectedly, refer exit interview to supervisor for third party assessment.
Share with development and/or marketing staff potential partnership relationships as discovered through mentors’ and parents’ employers and affiliations.
Identify and promote re-engagement of mentors in other mentoring capacities.
To ensure quality services and measurable outcomes, maintain accurate and timely records for each match according to standards and utilize technology to report, synthesize, and analyze data.
Retrieve mentees quarter and semester grades from schools, entering data, documenting any progress or digression into MentorCore (CRM), providing quarterly reports.
Participate in CME events, workshops in the community; some events, workshops will be held in the evening and//or on weekends.
Consult with other service delivery staff and/or supervisor as appropriate.