Mentorship and Life Skills Lead - Portland Rescue Mission

OVERVIEW

Portland Rescue Mission, is seeking a Mentorship and Life Skills Lead. This gifted servant will personify a passion for evangelism and mentorship in the context of training men for life and work, as they join a Christ-centered team with an award-winning culture and a commitment to serving others.

Are you ready to make a lasting difference as you compassionately share Christ and serve people seeking refuge? If so, we invite you to thoughtfully consider this unique opportunity.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

• How to apply: We ask all applicants to apply through the Portland Rescue Mission online application form found on our careers page: portlandrescuemission.hiringthing.com/job/16900/chaplain-and-life-skills-lead
• Status: Exempt
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6:00AM-2:30PM
• Location: Burnside Shelter - 111 W. Burnside ($100 Monthly Transportation Stipend provided)
  • Virtual Tour: https://youtu.be/KViEuovNKwM?si=qo2PUsxqdLDkysch 

THE PLACE

The Burnside Shelter of Portland Rescue Mission hosts our 24-hour ministry 365 days of the year to individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Portland. Our Burnside Shelter is home to a broad spectrum of comprehensive emergency services, from immediate care (meals, restrooms, mail service, showers, clothing, etc.) to transitional shelter programming for men, all provided by a diverse and skilled team focused on providing compassionate care and building relationships that serve to support growth away from the street environment.

THE POSITION

The Mentorship and Life Skills Lead is responsible for equipping the up to 40 men in Connect, our transitional shelter program, with a variety of life skills (e.g. vocational, personal, financial) to support their growth in ordered living, relational development, and basic life skills. The goal is to move them to housing and purposeful employment within their capacity to sustain. In so doing, the Mentorship & Life Skills Lead will steward every opportunity to share the gospel and provide spiritual formation so that all Connect program participants will have an opportunity to engage in a faith relationship with God through Jesus and grow in their faith as desired. Additionally, this person will be a shepherd for the spiritual growth of the various guests, program participants, volunteers, and staff they interact with so that an increasing ministry culture of faith, hope, and love is evident at the Burnside Shelter.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Connect participants will experience growth in life skills development through classes, meetings, and vocational opportunities resulting in positive movement toward a healthy and sustainable life (i.e. housing, employment, and safe community)
• Connect participants are prepared for living outside of the Connect community with the skills and strategies that support their continued growth. 
• Ensure Connect program participants are growing in work readiness through 25 hrs/wk spent in assigned vocation (kitchen, guest services, warehouse, janitorial)
• Burnside staff vocational leads (kitchen, guest services, warehouse, janitorial) will receive adequate communication and collaboration so that each Connect participant is supported toward work readiness 
• Burnside Shelter guests and program participants will be exposed to the peace, gratitude, and love of the Christian life through the various interactions with staff and volunteers
• Connect participants will grow in their understanding of God and experience a relational invitation to faith in Jesus through weekly Life Groups, relational interactions, and one-on-one meetings
• Connect participants seeking further development in their faith will receive adequate mentorship
• Volunteers will be mobilized and equipped to serve the various spiritual and life skills needs of the Connect participants through groups, classes, and one-on-one interactions
• Support the ministry of the Burnside Shelter by providing additional coverage support during our meal and guest care services to individuals in need, as needed by staff scheduling and coverage needs

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree in related field or experience equivalent, Seminary or Bible College degree preferred
• Successful experience in and strong passion for leading or training men in life skills and Christian discipleship
• Preferably have knowledge of and experience working with individuals in and around the homeless community, with challenges like those around addiction, mental health, and housing needs
• A passionate relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and a testimony of continued growth in faith
• A calling to serve God in the ministry to men and women experiencing homelessness and addiction
• Actively participate in a church community, manifesting spiritual growth and spiritual maturity as defined by traditional Biblical Standards
• Adheres to Portland Rescue Mission's Statement of Faith and Code of Ethics
• A personal ethos and work ethic that reflects Portland Rescue Mission’s ministry culture – Highly Relational, Christ-Centered, Joyful Servant
• Competency and comfortability in using support software such as client databases, Excel, Outlook, and other office tools
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs. unassisted   

MISSION AND DISTINCTIVES

OUR PASSION

To exalt Jesus by cultivating transformed lives

OUR UNIQUE APPROACH

From the first sandwich that was shared in 1949, to today's fully integrated emergency, recovery, and training services, Portland Rescue Mission is a highly relational ministry. The Mission builds supportive and caring communities, meets people at their point of need, equips them, and provides a path forward. In-depth partnership with churches and volunteers, multiple tiers of services and a focus on growing Christian disciples is fundamental to Portland Rescue Mission’s success.