Youth Mentoring Specialist

This job posting was opened on 3/19/25. Please note that we will be prioritizing candidates who are current IRC (and recently employed by IRC) staff before other applicants. If necessary, we will extend the opportunity to external candidates.

Job Overview:The Youth Mentoring Specialist supports clients in IRC's Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) program to reach their academic, vocational, and social integration goals.MYVA promotes positive civic and social engagement and supports educational and vocational advancement for eligible youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Youth are selected for the mentorship program based on an initial assessment of needs and goals and are matched with trained, volunteer adult mentors for a minimum of 6 months. In addition to one-on-one coaching with their mentor, program activities includecase management, group workshops and enrichment opportunities.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Receive referrals from internal and external partners. Screen, interview, and enroll potential clients for the MYVA program according to program requirements.
• Perform case management and individualized education and career coaching services for youth/young adults enrolled inMYVAto develop and implement their individualized program goals.
• Plan and implement regular group social and networking events, cultural enrichment activities, and civic and community service activities.
• Design and lead career readiness activities on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, networking, job shadowing, and internship opportunities for program participants.
• In collaboration with IRC's Economic Empowerment team, build new and maintain existing partnerships with employers, career building programs, and workforce development organizations as appropriate for youth program participants.
• In partnership with IRC volunteer coordinators, recruit, train, and coach volunteer mentors according to needs and goals of MYVA program participants.
• Match volunteer mentors with MYVA program participants. Maintain ongoing communications with both mentors and mentees to provide support and guidance, and ensure that progress towards program goals and IRC standards of safeguarding are being met.
• In coordination with mentors, school counselors, and others, design and lead workshops and activities to guide youth on college readiness and other post-secondary training and educational opportunities.
• Maintain accurate and current data on all enrolled MYVA clients to satisfy recordkeeping and reporting requirements including participation in service activities.
• Assist youth enrolled in other IRC Virginia Youth Programs with job placement services as needed.
• Provide referrals to other community mentorship and tutoring programs to match youth with additional academic and social supports.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree in education, social services, or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.

Work Experience:

• Prior experience providing individualized support to recently arrived immigrant youth strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with positive youth development programming, educational support services, and career and vocational training required.
• Prior experience working with volunteers a plus.
• Ability to build strong mentoring relationships with youth and provide guidance while respecting the self-determination of all clients
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Must be proactive and feel comfortable in a leadership role.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Valid driver's license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and 'field' time within service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Occasional weekend and/or evening work required.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
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