Youth Mentor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Mentor at the Maryville Youth Center works to establish meaningful relationships with youth in the community while reinforcing the development of positive skills and knowledge that youth may gain through participation in athletic and academic programming. The Youth Mentor will utilize recreation experiences and leisure education to teach youth positive and appropriate strategies to deal with outcome goals and interact with positive role models.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with the research and development of weekly and monthly activities and schedules.

• Creates lesson plans and activities that focus on academic achievement, life skill development, social-emotional learning arts and recreation activities, civic engagement and other topics that address youth needs and interest.

• Conducts community outreach and recruitment activities by connecting with parents/guardians, school administrators, and other community resources.

• Registers eligible youth for programming.

• Promotes a safe and positive environment at all times, reinforces the centers policies and procedures, and uses positive discipline strategies to address behavior issues.

• Participates with youth in coaching and mentoring activities with a focus on relationship building.

• Makes suggestions and/or recommendations for improvements in programming as part of an evaluation process.

• Attends and participates in professional workshops, conferences, and seminars as assigned.

• Maintains open communication with other team members involved with youth.

• Officiates games when necessary.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors Degree preferred or High School Diploma and equivalent experience in the field of youth development.

• 3-5 years working with youth.

Skills /Knowledge:

• Strong ability to work with youth and families in the community and to interact with community groups and other organizations offering resources to the community.

Physical Demands:

• Required to frequently sit, stand, bend, stoop and walk, sometimes for extended periods.

• Required to lift/ move objects weighing in excess of 20 pounds.

• Must have visual, hearing, and learning capabilities sufficient to perform the essential functions defined above.

Environment and Scheduling:

• Work is performed in a community-based recreational center which serves youth and families.

• Expected to attend meetings and other community groups in the Austin/West Side area.

• Must be flexible and available to work additional hours when necessary.

• May be scheduled to work on weekends and/or holidays