Position Title: Match Support Specialist
Department: Youth Mentoring
Status: Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee, Classification 6A
Agency Location: Based in West Los Angeles
Working Location: Mon-Thurs in office; Fridays remote
Join a forward-thinking organization that has been proven to make a positive impact on children’s lives. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA), celebrating over 100 years of service in the greater Los Angeles area, is seeking a dynamic individual to join our innovative and collaborative team. JBBBSLA provides mentoring services, teen empowerment programs, college support, and year-round camp experiences at Camp Bob Waldorf. JBBBSLA is proud to have achieved a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, their highest level of distinction. Our mission is to assist children in achieving their full potential through innovative, impactful programs.
Job Summary
This role supports the youth, volunteers and parents/guardians in our 1-1 youth mentoring program. The Match Support Specialist (MSS) will facilitate in-person match introductions to ensure all parties are prepared and to support a comfortable, effective match launch. Through regular communication with all parties, the MSS will ensure child safety, promote positive impacts for youth, foster constructive and satisfying relationships between children and volunteers, and cultivate for all constituents a strong sense of affiliation with the agency. All processes and communication are documented in our workflow/database. The MSS is part of a collaborative team, working closely with the enrollment staff to help ensure a smooth transition to the match stage. Staff engage with all constituents and processes through the lens of youth protection and with a high level of customer service. Position will involve some local travel to facilitate matching and/or match support processes and to participate in off-site agency events.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Matching
- Review constituents’ enrollment materials in advance of Match Introduction Meetings (MIMs) and coordinate closely with enrollment team to ensure a smooth transition of constituents to the match stage.
- Address all relevant issues as part of an effective match launch, ensuring the volunteer is adequately informed and prepared for any unique needs a Little may have.
- Conduct Pre-Match Meetings and/or Match Introduction Meetings for pending matches.
- Schedule pending matches efficiently, following up with all parties promptly, providing feedback within reasonable timeframes and moving to active stage as soon as possible
- Thoroughly document matching processes with professional evaluation of match’s viability.
- Conduct Match Support contacts with volunteers, children and parents/guardians, covering all Service Delivery areas in compliance with Standards of Practice
- Document comprehensive written summaries of all match support contacts in database.
- Address potential problems and barriers promptly toward resolution whenever possible.
- Promote agency engagement at various levels for all constituents when appropriate, e.g., youth participation in events and other programs, and Bigs’ involvement as committee members, donors, board members or other volunteer capacities.
- Facilitate development of Youth Outcome Development Plans for each match.
- Utilize validated surveys to determine health and progression of the match relationship and to determine child’s growth in the program, providing additional support/intervention as needed based on survey data.
- Support and coach matches as needed to help avoid unnecessary or premature closures
- Encourage healthy closure processes for all involved and ensure all efforts are made to mitigate any negative impact on child due to closure.
- Assess reasons for match closure and evaluate reenrollment/re-engagement potential.
- Miscellaneous
- Utilize Matchforce (database) dashboards/workflows to professionally document match activities and progress, ensuring that records provide a thorough accurate history at all times.
- Facilitate Mentor Training
- Provide support for agency events & activities
- Additional Duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate with a strong belief in the Mission and Vision of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:
- Bachelor’s degree (preference for fields related to social work, psychology, human development, communications).
- 1-2 years of experience working with children/youth in social services, or in a customer service environment with a working understanding of child development and family dynamics.
- Relationship management experience with youth and/or adult populations.
- High-level computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet-based and database applications (Salesforce experience a plus).
- Experience in public speaking (presenting, facilitating, training and/or recruiting) with adults a plus.
- Willingness to travel throughout the Los Angeles area for constituent meetings, events, etc., as necessitated by job responsibilities.
- Able to work some evening/weekend hours and have some flexibility with schedule.
- Well-developed, active listening skills with high-level customer service in all areas of responsibility.
- Strong interpersonal insight with ability to document observations and impressions objectively and professionally.
- Outside-the-box thinker, able to recognize the potential for stakeholders to assume various roles, and able to leverage opportunities for multiple purposes.
- Collaborative workstyle with outstanding communication skills (oral/written).
- Skill and interest in developing long-term relationships with youth, parents and volunteers.
- Able to develop trust and rapport with individuals and groups from diverse sectors and demonstrate well-developed cultural competency.
- Able to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
- Successful working both in a team and independently.
- Good judgment with sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Solid organizational skills, comfortable multi-tasking and able to shift priorities quickly when needed.
- Strong commitment to quality and results with good attention to detail.
Compensation and Benefits
JBBBSLA offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary range commensurate with experience ($25.81-$28.00 hourly). We enjoy a fun office environment, and a fantastic team of people dedicated to the meaningful work we do. Additional benefits include:
- Early closure on Fridays in observance of Shabbat, creating a 38-hour work week
- Paid federal and Jewish holidays (avg. 13-19 per year)
- Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and four additional personal days
- Pet-friendly office (bring your pet to work)!
- Pet Insurance discounts
- 403b retirement plan: 5% matching after one year; immediate voluntary contributions
- Medical, vision and dental insurance
- Voluntary Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Paid life insurance (after one year)
- Paid long-term disability insurance (after 60 days)
To apply, please send resume AND cover letter to [email protected] and enter Match Support Specialist in the SUBJECT line. No phone calls, please.