Professional Mentor (Friend) Bilingual in English and Spanish

Friends of the Children Houston • Houston, TX

22d • $50,000 - $52,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

A Friend works intensively with eight (8) children as a positive adult role model to develop a caring, trusting, and sustained relationship with each child. For each child, a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote their strengths, talents and abilities; help assure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior. A Friend will fully document activities and participate in an ongoing evaluation process. Friends will work primarily one-on-one with their children. A Friend must also know, understand, honor and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, principles and policies, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Ability to relate to children (starting at age 4) and to develop and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with them.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings to help them learn and grow.
• Ability to cultivate trusting relationships with children, parents, teachers, community members and other supportive adults in youth’s environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate appropriately within the workplace.
• Ability to use creativity and initiative in planning activities to continually develop children.
• Ability to work independently in diverse environments with limited supervision.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively exercising appropriate discretion and judgment.
• Ability to set goals and develop plans to meet those goals to ensure the development of each child.
• Ability to complete administrative tasks accurately and on time.
• Ability to handle high mobility and driving demands safely and with good judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to have compassion, patience, and cultural competency for families/youth who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to exercise good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress.
• Maintain current Texas driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Transport children in personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities around the Houston area. You will be reimbursed for mileage related to youth transportation.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus 2-4 years’ experience working/volunteering with youth in a social service setting or with families impacted by systemic injustice and chronic trauma.
• Alternatively, associate’s degree required, plus 4-6 years’ experience working/volunteering with youth in a social service setting or with families impacted by systemic injustice and chronic trauma.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Mentoring experience with children and families impacted by the child welfare system.
• Be culturally competent: Having a critical understanding of the youth and family within their cultural context. Engage and deliver services by acknowledging, respecting, and integrating youth and family’s cultural values.
• Engage in continuous learning and development.
• Be proficient in administrative tasks (scheduling, documenting, time management, computer skills, etc.)
• Have an aptitude to use data to inform youth work.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Core Values: Growth Mindset, Positive Relationship Building, Find Your Spark, Problem Solving, Self-Determination, Self-Management, Perseverance/Grit, Hope, and Belonging.
• Spend time with children, one-on-one and in the classroom.
• Develop, maintain, and follow a Roadmap/Goals or Transition Plan for each child.
• Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities and needs.
• Teach life skills and healthy habits to contribute both to basic development and learning, and to contribute to building positive self-esteem.
• Develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child to help develop positive self-esteem and experience growing confidence.
• Provide enrichment resources and activities which include opportunities for cultural awareness, diversity and community service.
• Contribute to children acquiring behavioral management skills, tolerance, respect for others, courtesy, and compassion.
• Develop positive relationships with families, teachers and others involved in each child’s life.
• Facilitate development/progress of academic skills and learning.
• Model and promote good problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Participate in the programming and resources available through the organization, effectively utilizing program resources to meet the needs of each child.
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
• Complete, distribute and collect time summaries, activity journals, short term plans, expense reports and evaluation materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions.
• Provide information and support to Leadership team and related activities as needed.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• 100% employer paid health insurance (medical/dental/vision)
• life insurance
• paid vacation
• paid sick time
• 401K Program with employer matching up to 3%
• Generous vacation package including 12 paid holidays and two weeks between Christmas Day thru New Year's Day
• excellent wellness and well-being resources

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree