Professional Mentor (Friend)

Position Details

Salary: $44,500
Comprehensive Benefits Package including healthcare, dental, paid vacation, sick leave, and 401(k).

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Ability to partner with parents/caregiver to provide concrete and social emotional support for the family;
  
• Ability to develop trusting relationships with children, families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life;
  
• Ability to relate to children 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 and community members;
  
• 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 and as a team player;
  
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively.
  
• 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;
  
• Basic computer and keyboarding skills, proficiency with e-mail systems, familiarity with MS Outlook and Access (or other database applications);
  
• Ability to exercise good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress;
  
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual is a plus
  
• Willingness to obtain or work toward a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) or Peer Support Specialist certification.

  Additional Job Requirements

  • Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance.
    
  • Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
    
  • Transport children in well maintained personal vehicle as required for mentoring activities.

    Working Hours and Conditions

    This is a full-time, exempt position. Due to the nature of a Friend’s role, the work hours are somewhat non-traditional and include late afternoon and evening work and possibly weekends. We recognize that each Friend’s working schedule will balance the various elements of a unique role, the needs of the individual children and families, and the Chapter’s schedule. Each Friend is expected to exercise appropriate discretion in this regard. The Program requires that you see each of your assigned children both in and outside of school, for an average of four hours each week, although how you accomplish that is at your discretion within established Program guidelines.

    Education and Experience Required

    • 2 or 4-year degree, plus one to three years’ experience working/volunteering with children, mentoring experience is preferred.
      
    • Alternatively, comparable work experience with youth in a professional social service; education or therapeutic setting or work with trauma impacted families.

      Benefits

      Friends of the Children – Lane County cares about the health and well-being of our employees We offer generous vacation and sick leave paid time off, paid holidays, a comprehensive medical benefits package, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

      Compensation

      $44,500 annually

      Location

      Eugene, Oregon. Serving all of Lane County

      Cover Letter

      Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be the Professional Mentor for Friends of the Children - Lane County!