Job Purpose:

The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist will recruit, screen, train, support, supervise and track volunteer mentors; assist in creating systems for supporting and managing mentors; provide oversight of the mentor/participant matches and monitor the progress of the matches towards meeting identified goals. The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist will deliver pre-release and post-release re-entry services to those who serve in correctional institutions within the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development service area as needed. The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist will also provide services to those who have been involved in the criminal justice system but are not necessarily incarcerated in the same service area. The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist will provide intensive case management to those being served and will coordinate and instruct groups that meet the participant's employment needs.

Qualifications:

This position is a professional staff position and requires a person capable of conforming to the high standards of behavior expected of all staff.  Excellent work habits, including attendance and punctuality, are required.  The person must follow company policies, and safety procedures as well as ensure that customers/clients under his/her supervision follow the same.

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: Experience in providing services to disadvantaged populations with barriers to employment. Experience with youth or young adults is helpful.

Computer proficiency: Basic computer literacy including Microsoft, and Google Programs. 

Clearances: Must be able to obtain acceptable results for required background checks, including Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal History Check, and Department of Human Services- FBI Fingerprints. 

Other: Must have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record and dependable transportation. Access to dependable transportation, which can be used in the course of his/her job. Must have an operating telephone, so that he/she may be contacted quickly by Goodwill when necessary. 

Supervision Received:

The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist functions under the direct supervision of the Program Manager of Reintegration Services with latitude for independent action within his/her own areas of responsibility, in accordance with agency policy

Supervision Exercised:

The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist does not exercise supervision over employees. This position educates and prepares Goodwill's program participants to meet the requirements for successful community employment, directing them in the performance of job duties, and appropriate work habits.

Skills, Abilities, Duties, and Responsibilities:

1. Knowledge of current best practices in the delivery of re-entry services, and acceptance of Goodwill's

2. Knowledge of and ability to interpret human behavior, and basic knowledge of effective behavior management techniques

3. Sound professional judgment, adequate to formulate realistic re-entry lesson plans, and counseling participants regarding work-related issues

4. Ability to assess a participant's educational level, abilities, and skills.

1. Delivers job readiness and job retention instruction in a variety of basic methods to appeal to varying learning styles and abilities. Services include large-group, small-group, and one-on-one instruction.

6. Thorough knowledge and acceptance of the principles of re-entry/mentoring

7. Ability to create and deliver interactive, hands-on lesson plans to appeal to a variety of learning styles

8. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing using English. Ability to give public presentations

9. Ability to relate effectively to others, including co-workers, agency participants, supervisors, and community contacts

10. Thorough knowledge and acceptance of the principles of customer service

11.  Ability to work a f exible schedule, including evening hours and weekends

12.  The Reintegration/Mentoring Specialist must follow company policies and safety procedures, as well as ensure that customers/clients under his/her supervision do the same

13.  Vision and Hearing corrected to within normal limits

14.  Ability to perform light duty work including occasional standing for up to 8 hrs

15.  Ability to perform medium-duty work occasionally

16.  Ability to do occasional bending, stooping, stretching, pushing, and pulling

17.  Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs occasionally (material handling equipment will be used to minimize effort expended when practical)

18.  Performs orientation and training for all mentors and participants

19.  Performs all mentor match screenings

20.  Supervises all mentor matches and reports to Program Manager

21.  Performs monthly contact with mentors and participants

22.  Assists with mentor match activities including the quarterly structure activities and individual mentor/mentee activities

23.  Coordinates and implements mentoring services, including match support, supervision, conflict resolution, and recognition, based on current research of best practices

24.  Keeps the Program Manager informed of unusual and/or crisis situations as they arise

Connects participants to the PA CareerLink

Provides lesson plans, develop programs, and curricula incorporating workforce readiness skills into all components of the program 

Promotes group and program rules and policies to ensure a safe and productive learning environment

Coordinates support of the work readiness curriculum by utilizing other staff and community stakeholders

Upon release, establishes a plan of support services for participants to include intake, assessment, and goal planning

Implements activities according to goal planning and track progress toward goals

Ensures appropriate referral information is provided

Meets face-to-face with each participant to ensure quality service delivery that facilitates obtaining employment

Provides timely follow-up to all inquiries, requests, interventions    

Maintains open communication with team members to ensure wrap-around support and awareness of issues with participants. Meets with staff to assist in implementing the work readiness curriculum.

Attends regular training to assure work readiness curriculum is current

Assumes responsibility as an advocate for the participant

Provides highest quality instruction at all times

Teaches several work readiness group sessions per week

Researches and implements a work readiness curriculum to assist Goodwill in meeting performance measures

Documents each participant's progress

Assists each participant in the development of a career portfolio to include items such as professional resume, certifications achieved, references, etc.

Assists in the design and facilitation of the group support model

Maintains awareness of current trends in group support programs

Maintains communication with the participant that fosters responsibility and positive self-esteem

Maintains all files and file information in a confidential manner, providing information about clients on a "need to know" status

Ensures