Contracted Mentor

**Job description**

Our Children’s Homestead is a Foster Care and Adoption agency that primarily serves youth who require specialized care. Our mission is to build a strong, stable foundation of support for each youth we serve and to develop opportunities that enable them to discover and sustain a positive future. To assist us in achieving this mission, we are currently seeking **Contracted Mentors **in the Rockford area.

This is a contracted position that will be part of Our Children’s Homestead Child Welfare Division and does not include benefits.

**Summary**:Responsible for the rehabilitative stabilization services for children which relate to their service plans. Commitment to developing supportive, caring relationship(s) (at-risk youth) facilitating the growth and development of general healthy life skills, independence goals, employment preparedness and/or higher education preparedness.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities **include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Commit to a minimum of one year of service to developing and maintaining a mentor relationship with a teenager
- Attend mentor orientation and training sessions before meeting mentee;
- Attend ongoing mentor training and support sessions;
- Meet with mentee on a regular basis according to contractual obligations to establish friendly, supportive working relationship and to support mentee in personal growth and employment goals;
- Align activities and content of mentoring time with youth’s permanency goals;
- Reliable transportation (a car), and willingness to work within the community according to the mentee’s geographic location (s),
- Assist mentee in solving work-related and other problems that interfere with mentee’s success at work, at home or at school;
- Turn in time logs, notes, and other information in a timely manner as required by Program Coordinator and program guidelines.

**Supervisory Responsibilities**

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

**Competencies**

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve services; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills - Keeps emotions under control.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Respond well to questions;
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe condition;
Attendance/Punctuality -; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

**Qualifications **To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

**Education and/or Experience**

Minimum of a high school diploma from an accredited educational institution. Experience as a parent or extensive experience working with young people is strongly preferred.

**Computer Skills**

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Outlook, Microsoft desired Word Processing software.

**Certificates, Licenses, Registrations**

Valid Illinois Driver’s License, vehicle insurance and vehicle registration are required and are to be valid at all times.

Contractors of Our Children’s Homestead who are authorized to transport clients in the performance of their job duties will be reimbursed $0.55 per mile for all authorized travel at the rate established by OCH

**PLEASE APPLY WITH INDEED** NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Our Children’s Homestead is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, compete