Mentor​/Social Worker Assistant

Working/Functional Title

Mentor

The Department of Psychiatry seeks a Mentor (Social Worker Assistant) to work in Genesee County to be responsible for supervising, engaging with, and ensuring services for adolescents in the Prevent2

Protect Program. This is a community outreach endeavor aimed at providing intensive individualized supports to students, schools, and communities throughout the state of Michigan.

• Provides daily guidance, direction, and supervision of identified at‑risk adolescents to enhance their personal, vocational, and educational growth.
• Sets educational and vocational goals with the mentee; monitors and documents progress toward those goals.
• Collaborates with regional case workers on the daily basis regarding services needed, obtained, and utilized.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure individualized systems of care are utilized.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, special education directors, probation officers, therapists, community mental health associates, and physicians to ensure designated services are being utilized.
• Assists the educational provider in the delivery of appropriate school accommodations and engagement in school‑related activities as needed.
• Assists the case manager and clinical provider(s) in providing appropriate emotional support to youth.
• Participates in staffing and team meetings as requested to discuss observations of youth behavior.
• Serves as an empathetic listener to school officials, at‑risk adolescents, and their families on topics such as family issues, court hearings, homework, and general interpersonal relationships.
• Intervenes as necessary in crisis situations, arranging for the necessary assessment and care of the at‑risk youth.
• Immediately reports any suspected high‑risk behavior, abuse, or neglect of youth.

Please note that this position engages with adolescents and their families, schools, and community agencies in Genesee County, Michigan. Candidates will be meeting in person with adolescents, schools, and families and must be willing to travel in/around the county for meetings on a daily basis.

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related human services field; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in counseling in a health/mental health environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, education, or related field, with demonstrated experience working with adolescents.
• Three to five years of progressively more responsible work experience with adolescents.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and enhance strong relationships with parents, teachers, guidance counselors, mental health providers and other community resource providers, adolescents, and their families.
• Valid state‑issued driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience working with adolescents or with K‑12 schools.
• Training in crisis intervention, risk assessment, threat assessment, and/or working within a behavioral assessment team.
• Demonstrated experience working within a behavioral assessment team.
• Superior interpersonal, coaching and communication skills to effectively work within a multi‑disciplinary team setting.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

To apply, applicants must provide the requested information at the MSU Human Resources site at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and upload the requested documentation. Documentation should include:

• A letter of application.
• A curriculum vitae.
• The names and contact information for three professional references with at least one from a former supervisor.

The position is an off‑date position funded through September 30, 2027, with a possibility of extension based on the successful achievement of work goals and the availability of grant funds.

Standard: 8–5.

This is a limited‑term position funded until 09/30/2027 with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote‑friendly. Remote‑friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

The bidding eligibility ends on 01/20/2026 at 11:55 PM.