Mentor

• Job Type: Part Time
• Compensation: $20
• Time Commitment: A minimum of one academic school year
• Location: Sacramento, California

Organizational Overview

Project Optimism, Inc. is a community based non-profit organization designed to foster optimism through personal development curriculums and community engagement. This is done through uniting community members in an effort to implement various services to meet the unique needs of the community. This includes K-12 curriculums, workshops coordination of community service projects, and coordination of charitable fundraising events for various causes. Project Optimism’s mission is to be the catalyst that will properly equip community members with an optimistic mindset, to be productive contributors to society.

Position Description

Project Optimism is seeking for a positive, energetic, and an authentic individual who will bring their uniqueness to create an engaging culturally tailored learning experience for students. Mentors will support and encourage the personal and academic development of the students and provide active guidance for goal attainment. The priority is to provide students with social and emotional support and empower them to maximize their potential. The mentor is to act as a role model, takes interest in their student’s uniqueness and celebrates their overall successes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Engagement and Positive Student Development: 50% of estimated time allocated

● Responsible for the overall case management of the assigned student group.

● Facilitate programs and coaching sessions for individuals or small groups on building

social-emotional skills and overcoming personal challenges.

● Promote a positive learning environment and school atmosphere by modeling positive peer

behaviors, such as respect, leadership, timeliness, attendance, and listening skills, both inside

and outside the classroom.

● Create an engaging classroom space in collaboration with the program staff, such as leading

icebreaker and team building activities, creating aspirational or instruction content via posters

and videos, etc.

● Engage students as leaders to help plan and/or lead event elements.

Academic Support 30% of estimated time allocated

● Plan tutoring sessions and provide small groups and one-to-one tutoring to elementary youth.

● Support student academic success through partnering with program managers and other

mentors to facilitate learning activities, encourage assignment completion, and answer student

questions.

● Support a positive classroom environment by reinforcing the classroom routines and

expectations, encouraging on-task behaviors.

● Create, support and/or co-lead events or programs recognizing and appreciating growth and/or

achievement.

● Record content focus and time spent with students providing small groups and one-to-one

tutoring in the data management system.

Secondary responsibilities: 20% of estimated time allocated

● Attend orientation and trainings.

● Participate in school sites and Project Optimism events related to the program.

● Participate in student recruiting.

● Participatie in check-ins with Program Manager and team meetings.

● Place calls to the homes of students to recognize performance and understand challenges.

● Engage students, parents/guardians and/or community members in education or social issues

through member led themed events at schools or on virtual platforms.

● Create team resources such as documenting best practices, creating demonstration videos,

creating lesson plans and designing service projects.

● Document service experience and activities such as team legacy binders, video testimonials and blog posts.

Competencies

● Commitment to be of service to the community.

● Ability to work collaboratively to maintain a positive culture and climate of the organization.

● Operate with cultural humility. Respectful and accepting of people from diverse backgrounds,

beliefs, socio-economic standing, and ethnicities.

● Understand the unique needs of at-promise communities.

● Ability to engage youth through high energy practices.

● Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

● Demonstrate interest in and commitment to helping students succeed academically, socially,

emotionally, and professionally.

● Ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.

● Ability to take initiative, respond effectively to coaching, demonstrate critical thinking skills.

● Possess and portray excellent communication, leadership, organization, and multitasking skills.

Minimum Qualifications

● Possession of High school diploma/ GED

● Minimum of 1 year of experience working with at-promise youth

● Strong interpersonal communication skills, detail-oriented, and resourceful.

● Must be able to regularly participate in video conferencing, virtual meetings, conference calls

and other virtual engagement formats

● Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs

● Must be able to complete and pass DOJ LiveScan/fingerprinting screen, TB screen, and any other required background clearances determined based on work-site location.

Preferred Qualifications

● Minimal travel may be required. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of hiring is preferred. Individuals who do not meet this requirement will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

● Educational: Enrolled in college or possess a college degree. Major in parks and recreation, child development, social work, liberal arts, or other related fields.

● Possession of CPR/ First Aid Certification

● Bilingual

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 26 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• After school
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• What skills and/or experiences do you have working with youth?
• What skills and/or experiences do you have that make you the best candidate for this role?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Sacramento, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person