Academic Specialist/Mentor

Description

Job Duties and Responsibilities

General Job Description

The Academic Specialist/Mentor provides comprehensive mentorship, advocacy, academic support, and case management services to youth ages 16–24. The position maintains a consistent caseload of 80 youth and works to support participants in achieving their educational, employment, and personal development goals.

The Academic Specialist/Mentor works closely with youth to identify barriers, develop individualized service plans, connect participants to appropriate resources, and provide ongoing guidance and support. This position collaborates with the Job Developer, families, schools, community organizations, and internal agency departments to promote positive youth outcomes, educational advancement, employment readiness, and long-term success.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Youth Recruitment, Engagement, and Case Management

• Assist with the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of 80 youth in program services.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, advocacy, and individualized case management to assigned participants.
• Develop and maintain an Individualized Career Plan for each youth, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, goals, and necessary support services.
• Address barriers affecting youth success, including housing instability, academic challenges, social-emotional needs, counseling referrals, life skills, and other personal challenges.
• Conducts participant orientations, screenings, and initial assessments to determine eligibility, needs, and service goals.
• Maintains consistent communication and engagement with assigned youth to support participation, retention, and successful program completion.
• Collaborates with Job Developer and youth to develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Career Plan.
• Re-engage youth with inconsistent attendance and implement strategies to improve participation and retention.
• Conduct outreach to families, provide information about available resources, and connect households to appropriate internal and external services.
• Conduct home visits as needed to support youth engagement, assess barriers, and strengthen family involvement.
• Provide information, referrals, and connections to appropriate community-based resources and services.

Academic Support and Educational Advancement

• Provide academic guidance and support to in-school youth to improve educational outcomes and promote academic success.
• Assist out-of-school youth with re-engagement in educational activities, including high school completion and GED opportunities.
• Collect, review, and analyze participant transcripts to determine appropriate educational pathways, including high school diploma or GED tracks.
• Monitor educational progress and provide ongoing support to help participants achieve established academic goals.
• Assist youth in identifying educational opportunities, resources, and support services that align with their individualized goals.

Employability Skills and Career Development

•  Complete employability skills checklists and ensure participants complete all required Illinois workNet modules.
• Administer and monitor required pre- and post-assessments to measure participant progress.
• Utilize labor market information and career exploration resources to help youth identify employment opportunities and establish realistic career and educational goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Job Developer to support employment readiness, job placement opportunities, worksite visits, and participant retention.
• Provide ongoing guidance to youth regarding workplace expectations, professional development, and employment-related challenges.
• Coordinate with the Job Developer to ensure participants receive continued support throughout the employment process.
• Facilitates individual and group-based workshops designed to strengthen participants' employment readiness and professional development.
• Provides training in workplace behaviors, communication, professionalism, financial literacy, digital literacy, career exploration, and other essential employability skills.
• Registers youth for upcoming job readiness workshops, training opportunities, and career development activities.
• Facilitates employability skills training that prepares youth for successful entry into the workforce and long-term career advancement.

Youth Development, Mentorship, and Violence Prevention

• Provide individualized mentorship and guidance to help youth identify personal strengths, challenges, and areas for growth.
• Assist youth in identifying risk factors that may contribute to aggressive behavior, victimization, or other harmful situations.
• Work with participants to develop strategies to avoid high-risk situations, make positive decisions, and establish healthy behaviors.
• Support youth in developing problem-solving, conflict-resolution, communication, and life skills.
• Help participants establish personal, academic, and career goals while promoting accountability and positive decision-making.
• Connect youth to counseling, social-emotional learning opportunities, and other supportive services when appropriate.

Documentation, Data Entry, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date participant files in accordance with agency, program, contract, and funder requirements.
• Enter daily attendance, case notes, and required participant information into Illinois workNet.
• Complete and submit required program assessments and documentation, including Employability/Life Skills Assessments, TABE testing, and other required reports.
• Maintain detailed records of participant activities, services, referrals, outreach efforts, and outcomes.
• Monitor participant progress and ensure documentation supports program deliverables and performance requirements.
• Collect, review, and analyze program data to track participant engagement, progress, and outcomes.
• Assist with preparing reports and supporting documentation for SGA, funders, and government agencies.

Community Outreach and Collaboration

• Establish and maintain relationships with schools, families, community organizations, and local service providers within targeted communities.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify resources and opportunities that support youth and their families.
• Support agency outreach events, referral systems, and programs facilitated by other departments.
• Participate in community engagement activities to increase program awareness, recruitment, and referrals.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments to ensure participants receive comprehensive and coordinated services.
• Builds and maintains relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, workforce partners, and local resources to expand opportunities for youth.
•  Works collaboratively with youth advocates, justice system representatives, families, and other service providers to support participants in meeting program requirements and remaining compliant with applicable mandates.
• Connects youth and families to community resources and supportive services that address barriers to employment, education, and program participation.
• Advocates for participants by identifying opportunities and resources that support their personal, academic, and professional development.
• Attend tabling and recruitment events as assigned by program Manager.

Program Implementation and Administrative Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Job Developer and other program staff to support effective program implementation and service delivery.
• Assist with short- and long-range planning to meet program goals, objectives, and performance outcomes.
• Maintain organization and attention to detail while managing multiple responsibilities and competing priorities.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative in completing assigned responsibilities.
• Transport participants to and from program-related activities when required and authorized.
• Implement additional services, activities, and responsibilities as requested by SGA or the funder.

Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting

• Utilizes Illinois workNet to track youth progress. 
• Uses Target Occupational Profiles to identify employer relationships, industry trends, and potential employment opportunities.
• Completes and maintains accurate participant records, case notes, assessments, and required program documentation.
• Conducts and documents required Employability and Life Skills Assessments and other program-related evaluations.
• Prepares and submits required reports, data, and documentation to SGA leadership in accordance with established timelines and program requirements.
• Ensures participant files and placement documentation are complete, accurate, and maintained in compliance with program and funder requirements.
• Duties and metrics are performance based.

Additional Responsibilities

• May be required to transport to and from program-related activities, worksite placements, and events.
• Performs other program-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by SGA leadership.

Requirements

Education

• Associates in Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field, preferred

Experience

• Experience working with young adults 16-24 years of age, preferred.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• Experience working in neighborhoods in Chicago and Berwyn.
• Experience working with individuals dealing with factors that put them at risk of becoming victims of aggressive behavior.
• Ability to travel between program locations, community sites, employer partners, training providers, and other program-related locations as needed. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

• Position schedule is Tuesday-Saturday
• Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday hours are 9:00am-5:00pm
• Tuesday and Friday hours are 10:00am-6:00pm
• Evening and weekend availability required. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time. Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from sites. 
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs. 
• Constantly moves to assist during program activities. 
• At times, it may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various needs. 
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions. 

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE

BENEFITS 

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; an Employee Assistance Program; Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours.  

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s