Company Overview
Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) was founded in 2013 with the mission to increase the number of young men of color (YMOC) to attend and graduate from colleges and universities. We envision a nation in which young men of color are overrepresented in higher education, underrepresented in the criminal justice system, and leaders in their communities. With remarkable resilience, authenticity, and passion, we work to combat academic inequities and build a college-to-community pipeline.

Position Overview

The Project RISE Mentor Specialist will provide on-site education programming that will serve as a life-changing and transformational experience for youth involved in the justice system. the Project RISE Mentor Specialist will provide services for 25 to 50 young men of color attending El Centro Junior and Senior High School in Sacramento County. Project RISE is a trauma-informed program that considers Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress as significant factors for youth involved in the justice system. Research reveals a very high prevalence of ACEs among incarcerated populations correlating ACEs and juvenile and adulthood arrest, felony charges, and incarceration. Half of the incarcerated youth had experienced four or more ACEs (Fox, Perez, Cass, Baglivio, Epps 2015).

Responsibilities

• Classroom presentations to promote Project RISE programming and services
• Post-release individualized educational transition planning
• Weekly one to one social-emotional mentoring (during and after incarceration)
• Presentations promoting nutrition, exercise, relationships, mental healthcare, mindfulness practices, and access to nature as mechanisms for regulating the stress response.
• Create and manage the Project RISE program calendar
• Responsible for meeting the program’s annual goals, including GPA, program engagement, and retention
• Oversee program data tracking through salesforce
• Responsible for the financial operation at the site, including tracking and managing expenses
• Other projects and responsibilities as assigned by their supervisor.

• Meet monthly/biweekly/weekly with school site key stakeholders, including principals, assistant principals, teachers, and other school site staff
• Participate in school site meetings or special events, including but not limited to staff meetings, sporting events, potlucks, etc.

Additional Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to oversee and fulfill other grant deliverables related to mental health and wellness as needed.

Qualifications

• Believe in the mission, vision, and values of Improve Your Tomorrow, Inc.
• High School Diploma
• Experience working with youth of color, preferably in an academic setting.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) with demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively
• Strong interpersonal skills that inspire and motivate others to action

Schedule

This is a full-time non-exempt position from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm (30-minute lunch). Some weekends are required.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $21.63 - $26.44 per hour and is commensurate with experience. IYT offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, 403(b) option with 3% employer match after one year of employment, life insurance, up to two weeks of paid vacation and 3 weeks of paid time off for regular school breaks, and mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

**NOTE: Employment with Improve Your Tomorrow requires fingerprinting, and the ability to pass a background check, with expenses covered by the employer. A valid driver's license, a personal vehicle, and auto insurance are also required.

Apply at www.improveyourtomorrow.org. If you have any questions about your application please email hr@improveyourtomorrow.org.

IYT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.