Transition Program Specialist

JUMPSTART® SC; South Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

21 Days PTO Annually

401k

Holidays off

Job summary

JUMPSTART SC seeks a Transition Program Specialist to guide participants navigating reentry, lead a mentorship program, and strengthen support networks. You’ll manage an assigned caseload, establish meaningful goals, and equip mentors to serve with wisdom and consistency.

A flexible yet consistent schedule supports participant engagement and ministry impact. You’ll recruit and train mentors, conduct monthly Connect Meetings, monitor progress, and collaborate with the Transition Team to

Qualifications

• Requires strong Christian faith and alignment with JUMPSTART SC’s mission and values.
• Experience mentoring, case management, discipleship, community outreach, or work with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to disciple, encourage, and support diverse individuals with dignity and agency.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including listening and trust-building.
• Excellent organizational skills and dependable follow-through across participant needs and documentation.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent case management, encouragement, and accountability to participants on your caseload.
• Maintain weekly contact with participants via in-person visits, calls, texts or other communication.
• Conduct monthly Connect Meetings to review progress and plan next steps.
• Assess growth in spiritual, financial, relational, and community areas for stability.
• Recruit, screen, train, and support mentors; match mentors with participants.
• Coordinate quarterly mentor training and maintain mentor records and engagement.

Skills

Mentoring

Case management

Discipleship

Community outreach

Ministry

Vulnerability work

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Independent work

Communication

Email proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Ministry, Counseling, Education, or related field

Job description

Location: On Site at Restoration Village – Wellford, S.C.

Reports to: Transitional Program Director

The Opportunity

The Transition Program Specialist helps participants navigating reentry after incarceration build healthy, stable, Christ-centered lives. This role combines direct participant support with leadership of JUMPSTART SC’s mentorship program—walking alongside people as they take responsibility for their growth and equipping mentors to serve with wisdom and consistency.

As a member of the JUMPSTART SC Transition Team, you will manage an assigned participant caseload, help participants establish and pursue meaningful goals, and strengthen the relationships that support their progress. You will also recruit, screen, train, match, and support mentors.

This position calls for someone who can build trust, speak truth with care, follow through on details, and hold encouragement and accountability together.

Your Responsibilities

Support Participant Growth and Stability

Provide consistent case management, encouragement, and accountability to participants on your assigned caseload.

• Welcome participants well. Assist with monthly intake and onboarding, helping each participant understand program expectations, available support, and next steps.
• Maintain weekly contact. Engage each participant through in-person visits, phone calls, text messages, or other appropriate communication.
• Meet in person each month. Conduct a formal Connect Meeting with every participant at least once per month to review progress, address challenges, and establish clear next steps.
• Assess growth across key areas. Review spiritual growth and devotional practices, including engagement with the New Journey Journal and personal time in God’s Word; budgeting and financial stewardship; savings goals and progress; mentor relationships; church involvement; community engagement; and other factors affecting stability.
• Build participant ownership. Help participants identify priorities, recognize barriers, and take practical responsibility for their goals and commitments.
• Keep the team informed. Record and communicate participant progress, needs, meeting summaries, and follow-up actions through the JUMPSTART Transition Team’s designated platform.
• Respond collaboratively. Work with team members to address challenges, coordinate support, and follow through on agreed-upon actions.

Lead and Strengthen the Mentorship Program

Build a mentorship program that prepares volunteers to serve well and supports healthy, dependable relationships with participants.

• Recruit and prepare mentors. Recruit, interview, screen, train, and approve prospective mentors in accordance with JUMPSTART’s policies and expectations.
• Make thoughtful matches. Match approved mentors with participants, considering participant needs, mentor strengths, and availability.
• Establish clear expectations. Help mentors and participants understand their roles, communication commitments, and appropriate boundaries.
• Lead quarterly training. Facilitate quarterly mentor training sessions that strengthen practical skills, spiritual encouragement, and understanding of participant needs.
• Stay connected with mentors. Check in with every active mentor at least quarterly through phone calls, video meetings, or in-person conversations.
• Provide ongoing coaching. Help mentors navigate challenges, maintain healthy boundaries, and support participant growth without taking over participant responsibilities.
• Strengthen communication. Foster clear communication and accountability among participants, mentors, and the JUMPSTART Transition Team.
• Track and improve the program. Maintain accurate mentor records, monitor engagement, gather feedback, and use what you learn to improve recruitment, training, matching, and ongoing support.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role is reflected in both the quality of relationships and the consistency of follow-through:

• Participants receive weekly contact and monthly in-person Connect Meetings, with clear next steps and timely follow-up.
• Participants can identify their goals, understand their responsibilities, and recognize the support available to them.
• The Transition Team has accurate, timely information to coordinate care and respond to emerging needs.
• Mentors understand their role, receive quarterly training opportunities and check-ins, and know where to turn for guidance.
• Mentor relationships demonstrate consistent engagement, healthy boundaries, and constructive communication.
• Participant and mentor feedback informs practical improvements to the program.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• A strong Christian faith, demonstrated spiritual maturity, and commitment to JUMPSTART SC’s mission and values.
• Experience in mentoring, case management, discipleship, community outreach, ministry, or work with people experiencing vulnerability or instability.
• The ability to disciple, encourage, and support people from diverse backgrounds while respecting their dignity and agency.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully, address difficult issues directly, and build trust over time.
• Strong organizational skills and dependable follow-through across participant needs, mentor relationships, meetings, and documentation.
• Sound judgment in maintaining confidentiality, setting professional boundaries, and recognizing when a concern requires additional team support.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Proficiency with email, digital communication tools, and record-keeping systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Ministry, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or leading a mentoring program.
• Experience in case management, transitional services, or faith-based community programs.

This role requires a flexible schedule that supports consistent participant engagement.

• Regular daytime hours are expected.
• Availability to work one to two evenings per week is required to accommodate participants’ work schedules.
• Occasional participation in ministry events, training sessions, and community activities may be required.

Compensation

• Salary range will be discussed with those selected for initial phone interview
• Off on all Federal Holidays
• 21 Days of PTO Annually
• Ability to contribute to 401k
• No employer sponsored health benefits at this time. However, JS staff are eligible for marketplace insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

An Invitation to Serve

This work requires patience, discernment, and a willingness to remain present as people grow. If you bring a steady faith, a respect for people’s capacity to take meaningful steps forward, and the discipline to turn care into consistent action, we invite you to consider joining the JUMPSTART SC team.