About this role
Job Summary
The School-Based Group Mentor delivers structured, small-group mentoring to high school youth (ages 12–21) at Wendell Phillips Academy High School under the KLEO L.I.F.T. Mentoring Program. Working directly on-site, each mentor guides an assigned cohort of 8 to 10 students through evidence-informed social-emotional, leadership, and relationship-building activities. Primary responsibilities include direct youth mentorship, consistent curriculum delivery, attendance tracking, and regular collaboration with school and program leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Mentoring & Student Engagement
• Maintain consistent, supportive mentoring relationships with assigned youth cohorts throughout the school year, adhering to a mentor-to-student ratio not exceeding 1:10.
• Facilitate weekly small-group mentoring sessions (at least four sessions monthly per group, lasting 1–2 hours each), scheduled primarily during lunch periods or other designated non-instructional blocks.
• Conduct structured session components: welcome and check-ins, icebreakers/team-building, interactive lessons, skill-building activities, reflection/goal setting, and closing circles.
• Facilitate restorative conversations, promote positive peer interactions, and guide experiential learning, community service, and youth-led initiatives.
Curriculum Delivery & Program Implementation
• Deliver the evidence-informed L.I.F.T. curriculum across core areas: Leadership Development, Identity Formation, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Healthy Relationships, Academic Success/Postsecondary Readiness, and Civic Engagement.
• Utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices and positive youth development principles during all group facilitations.
• Distribute and manage session materials, activity resources, and student snacks.
Attendance Monitoring, Administration & Retention
• Record and monitor accurate student attendance for every mentoring session.
• Conduct timely outreach, send reminders, and implement re-engagement strategies for absent or disengaged students in coordination with school staff and families.
• Assist with student intake, enrollment paperwork, parent/guardian consent collection, and orientation activities.
• Administer student surveys, collect evaluation feedback, and maintain strict confidentiality of all student records and data.
School Collaboration & Professional Compliance
• Partner closely with the L.I.F.T. Program Coordinator, Program Director, and Wendell Phillips Academy personnel to align schedules and minimize disruption to core academic instruction.
• Attend required program staff meetings, supervisory check-ins, and ongoing professional development workshops.
• Adhere strictly to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) partnership guidelines, mandated reporting policies, and agency safety protocols.
Other
• Performance of all other duties as needed and assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
• High School/GED or four-years of equivalent experience. Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
Experience
• Proven experience working with adolescents or high school youth in mentoring, youth development, out-of-school time, or educational settings.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate small-group discussions and manage adolescent group dynamics effectively.
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Core Competencies
• Familiarity with social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and conflict de-escalation techniques.
• Strong interpersonal, active listening, and verbal communication skills.
• Reliable administrative tracking skills for session logs and student attendance data.
• Deep commitment to community empowerment, equity, and student advocacy.
• Strong crisis intervention, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Participation as a team player and sensitive to issues of diversity.
• Computer knowledge of MS Office products, and email systems.
• English proficiency required; Bilingual (Spanish or French Creole) preferred but not required.
General Physical Requirements
• Exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Standing and walking for extended periods of time while working on-site.
• Able to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with KLEO policy and procedures, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal, state and local standards.
• Able to perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, and other federal, state and local standards.
Age Requirement
• Must be at least 24 years of age at the time of hire.
Compliance Clearances
• Must complete and clear a federal fingerprint background check.
• Must obtain official Chicago Public Schools (CPS) clearance prior to entering the school or working with students.
• Must complete the State of Illinois Mandated Reporter Certification prior to start.
$20.00 per hour; 20 hours per week; 36-week schedule