Success Mentor

Under the supervision of the Community School Director, Success Mentors work with a small caseload of 4-5 chronically absent youth to address barriers to regular school attendance and help them reach their educational outcomes. They identify causes of poor attendance or lateness—such as family struggles or health issues—and collaborate with Children’s Aid and CACPCS staff to find solutions. Success Mentors may also work directly with groups of youth, lead activities, and organize events. The Success Mentor (Scholar Support) role focuses on providing targeted mentoring and behavioral intervention to 4-5 scholars who need additional assistance to meet school expectations daily. The role operates across the school day and extended day (when possible) to promote scholar safety, consistency, and positive youth development. In some cases, mentees may face both attendance and behavioral challenges.

About Children’s Aid

Children’s Aid helps children in poverty succeed and thrive by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Annually, Children’s Aid serves families at over 40 sites in New York and through three national program models. The organization focuses on creating cradle-through-college pathways, emphasizing children’s health, family stability, education, and social-emotional development.

Culture and Values

• Put children, youth, and families first by incorporating their voices in all decisions.
• Seek equity and transformation within and outside systems to create opportunities.
• Strive for excellence through continuous learning and improvement.
• Collaborate with trust, partnership, and respect for colleagues and communities.
• Lead with compassion, kindness, and belief in the potential of those served.

Responsibilities

Attendance Support/Mentoring

• Maintain a caseload of 4-5 youth mentees for a full year.
• Greet matched youth each morning/afternoon and make early morning calls to absent students.
• Track attendance and celebrate improvements.
• Meet with mentees regularly (one-on-one and in small groups) to check in on school progress and listen to their needs.
• Collaborate with Success Mentors, Life Coaches, the Community School Director, and CACPCS leadership to identify interventions.
• Seek advice and identify targeted supports for youth or families from school staff and community partners.
• Maintain strategic notes on youth attendance patterns, needs, and interventions.
• Attend or be represented at weekly/bi-weekly student success meetings to share best practices and challenges.
• Develop and maintain classroom management systems that encourage pro-social behavior and self-discipline.
• Communicate regularly with the Community School Director or designated personnel regarding needs and supplies.

Behavioral Intervention and Support

• Lead/facilitate a caseload of 4-5 students needing additional support (in-class and small groups).
• Provide consistent mentoring to scholars with repeated or elevated behavioral needs.
• Build supportive relationships while reinforcing school expectations.
• Check in with assigned scholars throughout the day and during afterschool.
• Support development of coping, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Provide real-time support during transitions, lunch, dismissal, and other high-needs periods.
• Assist in de-escalation and redirection using social-emotional strategies.
• Work closely with Success Mentors, Life Coaches, and the Middle School Dean for seamless student support.

Progress Monitoring

• Maintain proactive visibility to observe students and prevent escalation of incidents.
• Participate in meetings regarding scholar progress.
• Strengthen coordination between youth development staff and safety personnel.
• Continue mentoring relationships during afterschool (if possible).
• Support transitions into afterschool clubs (if possible).
• Reinforce CACPCS expectations.
• Maintain records of interventions and scholar contacts.
• Track behavior and attendance goals on a caseload tracker.
• Provide updates to the direct supervisor on progress and challenges.

Safety Monitoring and Scholar Supervision

• Serve as a reliable and visible adult presence.
• Provide coverage support at the Security desk for relief periods while ensuring building safety.
• Participate in the Whitney Young Jr. Campus Building Response Team.
• Collaborate with School Safety Agents to maintain a safe, structured environment in the school and surrounding area.

Requirements

• Experience working with student populations in grades K-8.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, stimulate, and challenge students to remain engaged.
• Must be at least 17 years old and at least a senior in high school.
• Must pass Children’s Aid’s comprehensive background screening for staff working at CACPCS.

Skills

• Reliable and punctual with strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Mature, uses good judgment, and is a good listener.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent classroom management skills and ability to employ behavior management techniques.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the emotional, social, and academic needs of students at different developmental stages.

Pay

$22 - $25 per hour.