Youth Mentoring Coordinator

Breakthrough; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

401(k) with match

Vacation days

Personal days

Sick days

Job summary

Breakthrough is seeking a Youth Mentoring Coordinator to organize group and one-on-one mentoring for Garfield Park youth in grades 9–12 at FamilyPlex, 3219 W. Carroll, Chicago, IL. This role coordinates weekly sessions, mentors, and program logistics with partner schools.

The YMC will recruit participants, train volunteers, and ensure safe, inclusive mentoring aligned with DFSS requirements and Breakthrough’s program standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education or related social service field OR minimum of 2 years related experience.
• Related lived experience is valued.
• Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and have daily access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and facilitate weekly school-based group mentoring sessions for youth at the agency's partner high school.
• Implement Breakthrough's evidence-based mentoring curriculum by integrating the ECHO and SELVIE curricula to strengthen social-emotional learning, decision-making, leadership, and positive youth development.
• Recruit, enroll, and retain 20–30 youth participants in collaboration with school administrators, counselors, and other school personnel.
• Recruit, screen, orient, train, and provide ongoing support to volunteer mentors in partnership with the Volunteer Engagement team.
• Plan and facilitate youth and mentor orientation sessions that establish program expectations, community agreements, and mentoring best practices.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Vehicle access

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, education or related social service field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Youth Mentoring Coordinator

FLSA Code: Full time, Exempt with benefits

Reports to: Director of High School/Post Secondary Programs

Program Area: Breakthrough Youth Network (BYN)

Hours: 40-hour workweek; occasional weekends and evening hours as needed

Location: FamilyPlex, 3219 W. Carroll, Chicago, IL 60624

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Mentoring Coordinator (YMC) will coordinate group and one-on-one mentoring programs for Garfield Park youth, 9th -12th grade.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS

• Lead, coordinate, and facilitate weekly school-based group mentoring sessions for youth at the agency's partner high school.
• Implement Breakthrough's evidence-based mentoring curriculum by integrating the ECHO and SELVIE curricula to strengthen social-emotional learning, decision-making, leadership, and positive youth development.
• Recruit, enroll, and retain 20–30 youth participants in collaboration with school administrators, counselors, and other school personnel.
• Recruit, screen, orient, train, and provide ongoing support to volunteer mentors in partnership with the Volunteer Engagement team.
• Plan and facilitate youth and mentor orientation sessions that establish program expectations, community agreements, and mentoring best practices.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and restorative mentoring environment where youth voice, leadership, and belonging are prioritized.
• Coordinate all program logistics, including schedules, space reservations, meals, supplies, transportation (as applicable), and communication with participants, families, mentors, and school partners.
• Monitor participant attendance, engagement, and progress; conduct outreach to youth and families to support consistent participation and retention.
• Maintain accurate participant records, attendance, case notes, and program outcome data in CitySpan, Salesforce, and other required reporting systems.
• Collect participant feedback and program evaluation data to support continuous quality improvement and compliance with DFSS reporting requirements.
• Participate in DFSS technical assistance meetings, required trainings, citywide mentoring learning communities, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with school staff, community partners, and internal Breakthrough departments to ensure coordinated support for participating youth.
• Collaborate with Breakthrough's Sports & Fitness, Arts, Technology, Postsecondary, and other Youth Network programs to connect participants to enrichment opportunities and wraparound supports.
• Ensure compliance with DFSS grant requirements, agency policies, mandated reporting laws, FERPA guidelines, and all youth safety protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Demonstrated Values

• Independently follows agency policy and procedures
• Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
• Identifies and resolves difficult issues
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming, dress and hygiene.
• Promote customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• A passion for the mission of Breakthrough

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education or related social service field OR minimum of 2 years related experience
• Related lived experience is valued
• Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office, as well as the willingness to become proficient in other software packages and programs
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license, have daily access to a vehicle and an acceptable motor vehicle driving record.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of trauma informed programming and restorative practices
• Knowledge of urban issues regarding youth and families.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Must possess an accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to youth, families, poverty, and community development
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism and problem-solving skills
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow through and be comfortable working in a changing environment.
• Demonstrates willingness to consistently improve work performance through their relationship and guidance.

SUPERVISION

• Does not supervise any employees
• Direction received from the High School/Post Secondary School Director

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an office located in a multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, lift as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Safety Requirements

Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance

Equipment Used

The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, calculator, copier, overhead projector, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.

BENEFITS

• Medical -We offer group medical benefits through BlueCross BlueShield to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO plans. Depending on the plan you choose, there may be no cost for an employee single coverage. There is a cost per pay period for coverage for family (i.e., employee plus spouse; employee plus child(ren) or employee plus spouse and child(ren).
• Dental – We offer group dental benefits through BlueCross BlueShield to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Vision - We offer group vision benefits through BlueCross BlueShield to full-time employees. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Life - Through MetLife, we offer full-time employees term life insurance to the employee’s family in case of death. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• Short and long-term disability -If you become disabled, MetLife provides both short-term and long-term disability insurance to full-time employees. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• 401 (k) Plan -We offer a 401(k) plan which is a tax-deferred annuity to assist full-time employees in planning for retirement. We match 50% of your contribution up to a total of 3% of your base salary.
• Section 125 Plan (FSA)-Through TASC, we allow full-time employees to make contributions toward premiums for medical insurance, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or transit and parking on a “before tax” rather than an “after tax” basis.
• Vacation Days -Full-time employees in this position are eligible to accrue vacation days at a rate of 6.67 – 13.33 days per month based on tenure with the organization.
• Personal Days -Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 3 personal days annually, pro-rated in year one.
• Sick Days -Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 10 sick days annually, pro-rated in year one.

COMPENSATION

The actual salary within the range is determined by many factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, education and internal equity.

$48,000-$50,000/annually

Breakthrough is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. If a reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail]. The decision to grant reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.