What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Mentor position at Friends of the Children Austin?
Company Description Friends of the Children Austin is a nonprofit organization that provides long-term, relationship-based mentoring to children facing significant life challenges. The organization brings together professional mentors, families, supporters, business leaders, and advocates who believe that consistent support helps young people achieve extraordinary things. Professional mentors, called Friends, partner with children from kindergarten through high school graduation, offering stability, encouragement, and connection over many years. This work is sustained by a committed community that invests in the future of Austin’s youth and creates opportunities for children to thrive. Together, they help young people build confidence, pursue their goals, strengthen their families, and shape brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Role Description The Professional Mentor will build and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with children and youth in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area, meeting regularly in schools, homes, and community settings. This full-time, on-site role involves providing consistent encouragement, guidance, and support, helping young people develop social-emotional skills, set goals, and navigate academic and personal challenges. Day-to-day responsibilities include planning and leading individual and group activities, coordinating with caregivers, educators, and service providers, and connecting children to resources and opportunities that foster growth and resilience. The Professional Mentor will document activities and outcomes, track progress toward goals, and participate in team meetings, training, and community events. The role also includes modeling positive behavior, advocating for the needs of children and families, and contributing to a supportive, mission-driven organizational culture.
Qualifications
Role Description The Professional Mentor will build and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with children and youth in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area, meeting regularly in schools, homes, and community settings. This full-time, on-site role involves providing consistent encouragement, guidance, and support, helping young people develop social-emotional skills, set goals, and navigate academic and personal challenges. Day-to-day responsibilities include planning and leading individual and group activities, coordinating with caregivers, educators, and service providers, and connecting children to resources and opportunities that foster growth and resilience. The Professional Mentor will document activities and outcomes, track progress toward goals, and participate in team meetings, training, and community events. The role also includes modeling positive behavior, advocating for the needs of children and families, and contributing to a supportive, mission-driven organizational culture.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience working directly with children and youth, especially those facing systemic or personal challenges, in educational, social services, or community-based settings.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including the ability to listen actively, build trust with children and families, and collaborate effectively with school staff and community partners.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches; ability to respect and honor diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Organizational and time-management skills, including planning activities, maintaining accurate documentation, and managing a consistent schedule with multiple children and stakeholders.
- Emotional resilience, patience, and reliability, with a willingness to commit to long-term mentoring relationships and show up consistently over many years.
- Ability to work on-site across the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area, including local travel to schools, homes, and community locations; valid driver’s license or reliable transportation preferred.
- High school diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree in education, social work, psychology, youth development, or related field is preferred.
- Previous experience in mentoring, coaching, case management, or youth development programs is highly beneficial; bilingual