New openings for the Fall 2020!
Are you in search of a fun, rewarding position supporting the next generation?
SPARK Youth Mentors are the professionals behind the magic that happens at the Student Pathways to Adventure, Resilience, and Knowledge (SPARK) after-school program. At SPARK, we strive to empower and support students to discover a sense of self while also supporting them to discover and pursue their passions.
SPARK is an after-school and summer program that aims to reduce and prevent substance use amongst teens, ages 12-18, by modeling positive life-skills and offering creative and diverse experiences. We offer programming in arts & crafts, music, outdoor adventures, community volunteering, board games, cooking, swimming, and anything else that our participants can dream up.
SPARK is currently accepting applications for a Youth Mentors in Ashland County, WI. SPARK mentors work directly with our students, lead and facilitate activities, teach life-skills, help resolve conflicts, listen, share, and model positive interactions & relationships. Youth Mentors will also be involved in logistics and planning, meal and snack preparation and other areas of need that arise throughout the program to ensure an exciting, positive, and safe experience for our students.
Being a SPARK Youth Mentor is both fun and rewarding, but it isn’t just another job. A Youth Mentor is important to the students they interact with, in a number of ways. SPARK students count on you to be present and supportive of them when all too often others don’t give them the time. They look for trust and friendship with somebody who has made it past the difficult years of adolescence.
The role of a SPARK mentor is to:
- Create and maintain a safe and supportive environment
- Foster relationships through positive communication, openness, and vulnerability
- Empower our participants with a sense of self and autonomy
- Promote the discovery of their passions by providing creative and diverse experiences.
- Fuel the pursuit of those passions towards mastery
- Model healthy decision making
- Positively represents SPARK to the greater community
If you identify with these personal and professional traits, we highly encourage you to apply!
Send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are excited to be a Youth Mentor and answer the question, "What lights YOU up?" to scott@lightyourspark.org
Don't have a resume? Text us a video of yourself telling us why you are excited to be a Youth Mentor and answer the question, "What lights YOU up?"
If you have questions before applying, feel free to call Scott Griffiths at 715.255.0509
Job Description:
Job Title: SPARK – Youth Mentor
Job Type: Part-time, 5-20 hrs/wk
Reports to: Youth Services Coordinator/Brighter Futures Initiatives Project Manager
Supervised by: Ashland County Health and Human Services Children and Family Unit Supervisor
Salary Range: $13.50 - $16.00/hr. commensurate with experience
Location: Ashland
Closing Date: Open until filled.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Working knowledge of effective methods of managing, caring and promoting positive behaviors with children.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments
- bility to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to communicate with co-workers; community stakeholders; parents; children.
- Knowledge of child development (specific to ages 12-18)
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time while performing duties.
- Ability to participate in energetic outdoor games and activities
- Ability to drive 15-passenger van.
- Light lifting up to 30 lbs.
- Ability to work under all conditions while in the field.
- Requires physical demands such as seeing, hearing, and color perception to make judgments both in the office and out in the field.
- Able to bend, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Provide students with activities that promote their physical and intellectual development
- Assist in the coordination of creating, planning and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for students during program hours
- Utilize positive strategies to support the social and emotional development of all the students
- Provide tutoring to youth participating in after school program
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as requested by the Brighter Futures Initiative Grant Coordinator
- Implements activities as planned, leads, assists, and acts as a role-model participant in both active and sedentary indoor and outdoor lessons, games and activities; supervises students during activities
- Ensure a friendly and supportive atmosphere is maintained by developing appropriate strategies to support children in managing their behavior.
- Ability to work evening and/or weekend hours
- Must be able to pass a criminal and caregiver background check
- Experience with and ability to lead children/youth activities
- Experience or understanding of Restorative Practices and/or Restorative Justice
- Knowledge of youth/children programs (not mandatory but preferred)
- Demonstrate effective problem-solving ability.
- Ability to use various sports equipment for programs.
- Ability to recognize and avoid unnecessary power struggles with youth.
- This is a part-time, grant-funded, limited-term position working 5-20 hrs/wk.
- Work hours and days vary based on programming hours and preparation needs. Hours could include weekdays and weekends from 8a-8p
- The current compensation for this position ranges from $13.50- $16.00/ hr depending on experience and skills.
To Apply
If you have questions before applying, feel free to call Scott Griffiths at 715.255.0509
Send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are excited to apply and what you can bring to this position to scott.griffiths@co.ashland.wi.us
If you have questions before applying, feel free to call Scott Griffiths at 715.255.0509
Send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are excited to apply and what you can bring to this position to scott.griffiths@co.ashland.wi.us