Join the team!

 Mentorship Specialist
(Portland, Oregon) 

JOB DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION

Who We Are: 

JoyRx was founded as Children’s Cancer Association in 1995 by the Ellis family after their five-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died of cancer. Their goal was to create something extraordinary: an organization with a new vision for what pediatric cancer support services look like. Today, the JoyRx Mentorship, Nature, and Music programs reach thousands of hospitalized children of all ages and diagnoses. Our programs reach children where they are — and make their tough days a little brighter.

Simply put — joy helps sick kids feel better.

JoyRx is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and we believe that a diverse staff of highly skilled and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. We strive to create a work environment that reflects the communities we serve where everyone feels empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves to work, fully as they identify. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our workforce across a range of dimensions.

Who You Are: 

You enjoy working with a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures including volunteers, families, hospital staff, and partners. You are empathetic and can easily adjust your communication style for various situations. You are organized, detail oriented, and resourceful. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are able to multitask effectively. You are comfortable in a medical setting and having difficult conversations about seriously ill children. You are a strong communicator, orally and in writing, and are confident speaking in front of groups of volunteers.

Essential Functions: 

• Match trained adult volunteers (JoyRx mentors) with local children and teens undergoing treatment for serious and life-threatening illnesses

  • Interview, support, and assist in the recruitment of the volunteer mentors

• Manage 30-50 matches by conducting regular follow-up with all parties (including families, hospital social workers, and volunteers) and maintaining case notes for each match

• Communicate with hospital staff and develop strong community networks that maintain trust and ensure supportive interpersonal relationships

• Each specialist will be responsible for at least one of the following areas:

  • Lead prospective volunteers through the interview and paperwork process

  • Process and organize toy closet donations to ensure a variety of toys and activities are available for mentors; maintain Amazon Wishlist for donations

  • Plan, organize, and execute activities in the community for families in the program

• Conduct matches, graduations, and meetings as needed at pediatric hospital sites

• Organize and lead regular volunteer training and education events

• Provide confidential and professional communication with families and volunteers

• Record, track, and maintain program data

• Provide bereavement support to volunteers and families as needed

• Talk to families and volunteers about sharing their JoyRx Mentorship story through photo, video, or speaking engagements for storytelling about program impact

• Ensure communication with families about other CCA programs

• For bilingual Program Specialist – provide English/Spanish translation across the organization and communicate with families for all programmatic needs.

• Meet all requirements for volunteer services at hospitals where in-person service is conducted

  
  Skills

• High attention to detail, organized, and resourceful

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to work well in a team environment

• Spanish proficiency is a plus
  

  Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field (i.e., social and behavioral sciences, psychology, education) or combination of education and relevant experience is required

• 2-5 years of experience in a social service, hospital, or nonprofit setting

• Experience working with children and families

• Experience coordinating volunteers

• Experience in a mentoring program a plus

Competency Requirements:

• Composure/Sensitivity - Remain calm under pressure or trying circumstances. Treat others with respect. Show empathy toward others. Develop and maintain trust.

• Positive Impact - Make positive impressions, be personable, self-confidant, optimistic, and enthusiastic; energize others.

• Relationship Building - Establish and maintain productive relationships with children, families, partners, and staff. Initiate contact readily.

• Planning & Organizing - Prioritize multiple tasks and maximize use of available time to ensure work is accomplished efficiently and accurately. 

• Active Communications - Create an open and accessible environment that encourages flow of information and values continuous information exchange.

• Initiative - Be proactive not reactive; make things happen.

• Creativity – Generate original ideas; develop innovative solutions and find new ways to look at old problems and explore options.

• Energy – Exhibit stamina and endurance and maintain a fast pace over time.

Work Environment:

At CCA we are committed to a work environment where each person feels a sense of belonging and they are recognized, appreciated, and valued.

This position is based in the Portland, OR office. CCA offers a hybrid office environment, with both onsite (professional open-office environment) days and the ability to work remotely up to two days/week (Mondays & Fridays).

Physical Demands:

This position requires frequent operation of a computer and other office equipment. This position requires the ability to perform basic math and speak, hear, write, and read English. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some occasional lifting is required (up to 20 lbs).

Travel: (if needed)

This position requires frequent travel in the Portland Metro area.

Compensation & Benefits: 

JoyRx is a growth organization that looks for team members to grow with it. JoyRx offers a generous total rewards package, a casual work environment, and an inclusive culture.

This position offers a competitive benefits package and a salary range of $23-$24/hr. Final offer amounts and levels are determined by multiple factors, including your experience, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Generous benefits include:

• Heavily subsidized medical, vision, dental, and alternative care benefits

• Generous PTO package, paid wellness days, and ten (plus two floating) paid holidays

• Voluntary short- and long-term disability

• Flexible spending plan

• 401(k) with 3.5 percent JoyRx match

• Paid four-week sabbatical to pursue creative talents after eight years of service

• Professional development annual benefit

• Subsidized on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) non-exempt position. Some flexibility in hours is allowed; days and hours of work are generally Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:30 pm, and Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, with the option to be remote Mondays and Fridays. This position requires occasional evening hours and/or weekend work (typically once or twice per month on average).

General Information:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for the position. Job duties may change at any time, with or without notice.