Leader of Tomorrow Facilitator

Focused Interruption; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Training, supervision and professional

Wellbeing and peer support

Starting wage: $27/hour

Job summary

Focused Interruption seeks a dedicated LOTS Program Facilitator & Youth Mentor to lead school-based leadership and prevention activities for middle and high school students. The role emphasizes building confidence, communication, and emotional regulation while fostering school connectedness.

You will guide groups, provide consistent mentorship, and collaborate with school staff to ensure students succeed and stay engaged in their education and growth.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with middle or high school youth in mentoring, youth development, education, prevention, or community programs.
• Experience leading or co‑facilitating small groups.
• Ability to stay calm, consistent, and regulated with students who test boundaries or are in emotional distress.
• Clear written communication for accurate documentation and incident reports.
• Ability to pass required background checks and school clearances.

Responsibilities

• Lead group facilitation and curriculum delivery for middle and high school students, focusing on leadership, confidence, communication, and emotional regulation.
• Provide mentorship through regular one‑on‑one check‑ins and classroom support to keep students engaged.
• Conduct referrals, intake, and help build balanced groups with diverse strengths.
• Collaborate with school staff and LOTS leadership to align on student needs and communicate progress.
• Log interactions, report incidents promptly, and escalate issues as needed.

Skills

High school diploma

Youth mentoring

Small group facilitation

Calm under pressure

Documentation & reporting

Background checks

Education

Degree in social work or related field

Job description

Organization Description:

Founded in 2016, Focused Interruption was created by a small group of community members, many of whom have been directly impacted by gun violence and the criminal justice system. These volunteers were committed to taking action to end the growing gun violence in Dane County. Over five years, Focused Interruption has provided counseling and support to over 300 victims and perpetrators of gun violence, visiting area hospitals at all hours of night and day partnered with the City of Madison to address gun violence.

Our mission is to use a holistic approach to reduce generational trauma by providing evidence-based intervention and prevention services to the people, neighborhoods, and families most impacted by gun violence.

Position Summary

The LOTS Program Facilitator & Youth Mentor leads school-based leadership, prevention, and mentorship groups for middle and high school students. This person is a trusted, consistent adult who helps students build confidence, communication, emotional regulation, conflict-resolution skills, and school connection before problems become crises.

About LOT and Focused Interruption

LOT – Leaders of Tomorrow is Focused Interruption's school-based leadership development, prevention, mentorship, and early-intervention program. Its guiding belief is that prevention begins before a crisis occurs.

LOT is for any student willing to grow, not only students labeled "high-risk." Groups intentionally mix students with different strengths, experiences, and areas for growth so they learn with and from one another. LOTS is presented as an opportunity, never as a punishment, detention, or suspension alternative. The program uses a relationship-first, trauma-informed approach. Staff are supportive but not permissive, firm but not harsh, and consistent rather than reactive. Our standard for students: You don't have to be perfect. You do have to be willing to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Group facilitation and curriculum delivery

• Lead small-group sessions on leadership, confidence, communication, emotional regulation, and decision‑making.
• Teach conflict navigation: problem‑solving, de‑escalation, rumors, peer conflict, disrespect, and social media situations.
• Facilitate healing circles, team‑building activities, and goal‑setting and reflection exercises.
• Cover healthy relationships, boundaries, peer pressure, trust, and respect.
• Deliver future‑focused content on goals, careers, financial literacy, professionalism, and life skills.

Mentorship and direct student support

• Conduct regular one‑on‑one check‑ins and serve as a consistent, trusted adult.
• Provide classroom support that helps students stay in class and engaged.
• Help students set and track personal, academic, attendance, and leadership goals.
• Respond calmly to refusal, emotional distress, or disrespect: validate, set clear boundaries, redirect, and follow up.
• Separate the student from the behavior and hold high expectations without shame.

Referrals, intake, and balanced groups

• Hold introductory conversations with referred students and confirm parent/guardian permission when required.
• Review referrals against LOTS eligibility guidelines and reasons for referral.
• Build balanced groups that mix emerging leaders with students working on specific growth areas, rather than filling groups based on behavior alone.
• Help school staff understand that LOTS is an opportunity, not a consequence or a place to send disruptive students.
• Flag students who may need a different primary service, such as intensive clinical, crisis, or individualized violence‑intervention support, while keeping LOTS in their support plan when appropriate.

School and team partnership

• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, counselors, and support staff to align on student needs.
• Communicate student progress and concerns to school partners and LOTS leadership.
• Participate in team meetings, training, and debriefs.

Safety, documentation, and accountability

• Log required student interactions and report incidents accurately and promptly.
• Escalate anything outside the role to LOT leadership or school staff.
• Track participation and progress toward program goals: fewer behavioral escalations, stronger student–adult relationships, and increased engagement.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with middle or high school youth in mentoring, youth development, education, prevention, or community programs.
• Experience leading or co‑facilitating small groups.
• Ability to stay calm, consistent, and regulated with students who test boundaries or are in emotional distress.
• Clear written communication for accurate documentation and incident reports.
• Ability to pass required background checks and school clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience or deep connection to the communities LOTS serves.
• Experience facilitating healing circles or social‑emotional learning (SEL) curriculum.
• Training in trauma‑informed care, restorative practices, conflict resolution, or de‑stabilization.
• Degree in social work, education, psychology, counseling, human services, or a related field.

Core Competencies and Mindset

The right candidate already sees behavior as communication and believes relationships plus skills create change.

• Relationship‑first: builds trust over time and stays consistent even when students struggle.
• Strengths‑based: recognizes strengths before struggles and believes every student has the potential to lead.
• Accountability without shame holds high expectations while meeting students where they are.
• Self‑awareness: checks personal biases and triggers and regulates self‑first.
• Team player: communicates promptly, uses debriefs, and asks for help.

Working Conditions, Training, and Commitment

This work is meaningful and emotionally demanding. Focused Interruption supports staff so they can sustain it.

• Work takes place primarily on school campuses, in classrooms and small‑group spaces.
• New staff complete the LOTS Staff Onboarding Manual, including guided reflection on assumptions, triggers, and consistency.
• Staff take part in regular team debriefs and are expected to recognize burnout signs and ask for support.
• Occasional after‑school, evening, or event hours may be required.

LOTS Staff Commitment!!! Every team member commits to showing up consistently checking their biases, regulating themselves first and believing in students even when they struggle.

Additional Requirements

• This position is subject to a background check.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required

What We Offer

• Paid time off
• Training, supervision and professional development
• Wellbeing and peer support
• Starting wage if $27 an hour with possibility of salary adjustment for satisfactory performance
• Typically 9:00-3:00 with occasional hours in the evening and weekend

Focused Interruption is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and especially encourage people with strong ties to the communities we serve to apply. We are committed to supporting the safety and dignity of every resident.