Bridges to Success Coach/Mentor

Description

The Bridges to Success Coach/Mentor will be primarily responsible for providing individual, professional support to 10 to 15 CASA youth ages 13 to 18+ through relationship building, problem solving, capacity building and persistence. This job involves working with older youth in foster care to help them develop a comprehensive, holistic and measurable plan and to guide and support youth in their transition to self-sufficiency and living an independent, adult life. We prioritize a youth-centered, youth-driven approach. Working closely with CASA Supervisors and Volunteers the Coach/Mentor will ensure that our youth receive appropriate support and advocacy services.

Job Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In partnership with other team members, participate in pre-service CASA training;
2. Engage 10 to 15 CASA youth ages 13 to 18+ in the development of independent and interdependent living skills; participation in case planning; education; and the improvement of soft and hard life management skills;
3. Set up and maintain up-to-date case files that record the work done and progress of each youth including the entry of all relevant information into internal database;
4. Meet and/or contact youth at least bi-weekly;
5. Assist youth with educational planning, career planning, daily living skills, money management, employment, housing, and self-care;
6. Assist youth in establishing significant positive adult connections, advocate for services and ensure youth is linked to all other community resources available;
7. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key members of the case management team to expand opportunities and support successful outcomes- including but not limited to Departments of Social Services, schools, foster care providers and community partners;
8. Conduct Independent Living Assessments annually for the duration of the case and utilize them as the basis for a strength-based conversation that actively engages the youth in the process of developing goals;
9. Work in partnership with CASA Supervisors and Volunteers to ensure that CASA youth receive appropriate advocacy and support for the duration of each case;
10. Be an active resource for CASA Supervisors and assigned Volunteers;
11. Attend court hearings, home visits, treatment team meetings and family partnership meetings, and other case related meetings as needed;
12. Contribute relevant information to Court reports;
13. Enter all relevant data into internal database;
14. Provide collegial support to fellow team members as needed.

The Bridges to Success Coach/Mentor position is one held by more than one individual, and duties and responsibilities will be allocated between team members as determined by the Program Director and President & CEO.  Nevertheless, each CASA Coach/Mentor must possess the skill and ability to accomplish the tasks defined in the CASA Coach/Mentor job description.

Skills Required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  The Bridges to Success Coach/Mentor should demonstrate the following skills and experience:

1. At least three years experience in counseling, teaching, or a human service-related field;
2. Familiarity with youth issues either from work or lived experience;
3. The ability to communicate with, engage and empower youth from diverse backgrounds ages 14 to 18+ who have open DSS cases and who are being served by Piedmont CASA;
4. Excellent family engagement skills, crisis intervention skills, ability to work well under stressful situations, ability to set well-established boundaries, ability to be compassionate, yet firm and the ability to exercise sound judgment at all times;
5. Demonstrated ability and success with developing positive and purposeful relationships with agencies, people and youth that lead to positive outcomes;
6. The ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities and individuals of diverse racial/economic/cultural backgrounds;
7. Highly organized, self-motivated, team player;
8. Basic knowledge of computers and word processing;
9. Availability to work nights and weekends on a flexible 40-hour a week schedule to accommodate the needs and schedules of the youth you are supporting;
10. A driver’s license, regular access to a vehicle, and up to date insurance coverage (mileage reimbursed at standard federal rate);
11. Willingness to authorize Piedmont CASA to obtain a fingerprint criminal record check, division of motor vehicle record check, and child protective services record check. An applicant shall be rejected if they have a conviction or charges pending for a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to children or to the CASA program’s credibility;
12. Commitment to Piedmont CASA’s mission and program goals; and
13. Belief that all youth can succeed and that it is ‘never too late’ to help an individual change direction.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Spanish fluency;
2. Bachelor’s degree in relevant field;
3. Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families relating to child abuse and neglect; knowledge of child development; knowledge of the impact of trauma on children, youth and adults;
4. Knowledge of the child welfare, education and/or court systems;
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills that include well developed public speaking and presentation skills; and
6. The ability to participate in and deliver training.

Work Schedule

Must be available to work nights and weekends on a flexible 40-hour a week schedule to accommodate the needs and schedules of the youth you are supporting.

Additional Info

LOCATION: This role will be based in our office in Charlottesville but will most likely require significant travel time to meet with youth, service providers, and others. Mileage is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate.

BENEFITS: We provide generous paid time off including but not limited to health leave, annual leave, parental leave, and 13 paid holidays. Employer paid health insurance for employee. Long term disability insurance coverage. Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Email a cover letter, three references, and a resume to Kate Duvall at kduvall@pcasa.org. If you’re able, please submit your application as a single PDF titled “[date submitted in yyyy.mm.dd format][last name][first name][position sought].” Please include “Bridges to Success Coach” in the email subject.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Piedmont CASA prohibits harassment and/or discrimination of any applicant or employee on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other basis made illegal by the laws of the United States or of the State of Virginia.