Friday, June 1, 2012

Match Support Specialist, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 6/1/12

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
Job Description – Community-based Match Support Specialist

Schedule: Up to 30 hours per week (schedule is flexible, but requires some evening and weekend availability)

Position Summary: The Match Support Specialist develops and maintains professional relationships with children, parents, and volunteers who are affiliated with the Community-based Program. The candidate will make regular, prescribed contacts by phone or in-person with each program participant to 1) ensure child safety; 2) monitor the health of mentoring relationships between children facing adversity and adult volunteers; 3) provide consultative guidance and support to parents and volunteers; 4) make referrals, as need; and 5) promote positive youth development outcomes.

Qualifications: EDUCATION – Minimum Bachelor’s degree in social work, social services, education, counseling, or related field. EXPERIENCE – Practical experience assessing and developing relationships with children and adults. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS – Understand child development and family dynamics in a multicultural context; ability to sustain positive relationships with children and adults and assess the following support skills: guide, support, confront, advise, and negotiate. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES – Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; Excellent written and oral communication skills reflecting strong customer service. OTHER – Reliable transportation. Criminal History and Child Abuse Clearances will be processed.

Key Responsibilities: An effective candidate in this position will…

1. ENSURE CHILD SAFETY by maintaining regular contact with each child, parent, and volunteer; creating thorough, specific, and objective written reports of each contact; probing for and identifying “red flags” of unsafe or unhealthy situations or behaviors; practicing high-level proficiency in interpreting and applying policies and procedures from Program Manual; and immediately reporting any concerns to supervisor.
2. ASSESS AND MONITOR RELATIONSHIPS by making a target percentage of contacts monthly by phone or in-person; administering the Strength of Relationship survey to a target percentage of volunteers and children; asking informed questions based on a thorough review of case notes; and reviewing monthly program quality metrics, including: Average Match Length, 12-Month Retention Rate, and Closure Rate.
3. PROMOTE STRONG AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS by developing strategic interventions to help struggling relationships thrive; developing, marketing, and presenting match activities that offer positive relationship development opportunities; providing guidance and support to volunteers targeting challenges they face; and assessing needs, resources, and training required to help volunteers become more effective mentors.
4. PROMOTE POSITIVE YOUTH OUTCOMES by assessing and identifying child and family needs; making referrals of children and families to outside organizations, as needed; administering the Youth Outcomes Survey to the target percentage of children; and collaborating with external counselors, psychologists, teachers, organizations, or other individuals or entities serving the child or family as warranted.
5. INFORM EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY by conducting “exit” interviews with volunteers to assess closure reasons (supervisors will conduct interviews with premature or unexpected closures); administering satisfaction surveys to a target percentage of participants; and participating actively in meetings and supervisory sessions.
6. CONTRIBUTE TO ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY by referring potential partners and other resources to the organization (e.g., volunteer employers); assisting with recruitment of children and volunteers; filling staffing vacancies and demonstrating task flexibility during high-volume times; and contributing through time and effort to fundraising efforts and other organizational events.
7. ACKNOWLEDGE AND CULTIVATE VOLUNTEERS by helping to plan, promote, and implement the Volunteer Recognition Dinner; proposing candidates for awards and honors; offering volunteers opportunities to give back as donors, speakers, collaborative board members, or participants in fundraising events; and engaging current volunteers as important partners in recruiting new volunteers and marketing the organization.
8. PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Core Competencies: As an employee of the organization, an excellent candidate will exemplify…

1. COMMITMENT TO MISSION / VISION by consistently sharing the organization’s message in a positive, accurate, and compelling manner; representing the organization positively in the community; prioritizing child safety and youth outcomes; advocating for youth mentoring programs; and demonstrating loyalty to the brand.
2. CUSTOMER SERVICE by being friendly and respectful; communicating accurately about who we are, what we do, who we serve, and what we need; promptly meeting consumer’s needs and responding to their requests within reason; and referring consumers to quality alternative resources when the organization is unable to help.
3. PROFESSIONALISM by complying with all organizational rules, regulations, and protocols; maintaining appropriate appearance and demeanor; and treating co-workers and consumers with integrity and respect.
4. COMMUNICATION by interacting clearly and respectfully through all mediums of communication with all appropriate parties; engaging consistently in active listening; and contributing positively to a well-informed staff and transparent work environment.
5. TEAMWORK / COLLABORATION by sharing ideas and accepting feedback from others across job positions and departments; working positively and effectively to develop and maintain external relationships; and working together with co-workers and consumers to ensure child safety and promote positive youth outcomes.
6. QUALITY OF WORK by delivering high-quality results in a timely manner and asking for help and/or feedback when an assignment falls outside an area of strength or comfort.
7. CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCY by seeking to understand contributors to unfamiliar attitudes and behaviors; working effectively across cultural, social, economic, and other potentially uncomfortable boundaries; and avoiding judgments against co-workers, consumers, or community partners.
8. INITIATIVE by voluntarily acting outside the job description to meet consumer’s needs, assist co-workers, or otherwise advance the organization’s mission.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this position.

Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

TO APPLY: 

Please submit cover letter and resume to Tom Baker, BBBS Chief Community Affairs Officer, at tbaker@bbbspgh.org

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Vantagen's Jobs Watch/Mosaic in your cover letter when applying for this position.

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