Professional Mentor (Friend) - Eastern Montana

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. We do this by providing children facing the most obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12 years – no matter what. We are currently seeking two extraordinary professionals to embark on a new career journey as a Friend at our Billings location.

At Friends of the Children, we put children first and use our values to change the way the world treats and views youth facing great barriers. These values align with the Indigenous extended kinship model and worldview that children are sacred.  As a Friend, you will nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally-informed practices. Do you want to help urban, rural, and Indigenous youth discover their limitless potential, by fostering their internal resiliency? Are you ready to help build relationships within the communities of our youth and families to strengthen social networks and provide bridges to new opportunities?  If so, the impactful role of a Friend might be for you!

Basic Function/Position Objective:

We are currently seeking mentors (Friends) for our Childhood program (Kindergarten to 5th Grade) to serve as a positive adult role model to eight elementary children, supporting them as they build empowerment and skills to achieve their dreams. For each child, a Friend will set positive expectations; nurture and promote each child’s strength, talents, and abilities; help ensure physical and emotional well-being; teach life and academic skills; provide enrichment activities; and model responsible behavior. A Friend will fully document activities and participate in the ongoing evaluation process. Friends will work primarily one-on-one with their children, while also building trusting, supportive relationships with parents/caregivers. A Friend must know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, protective, and loving relationship with each child 
• Spend time with children, one-on-one
• Partner with parents/caregivers to provide concrete and social emotional supports for the family
• Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities, and needs
• Teach life skills and help develop a talent/skill/area of interest with each child
• Deepen cultural connections for youth through incorporating specific cultural knowledge in programming
• Provide enrichment resources and activities that include opportunities for cultural identity development
• Develop positive relationships with families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life
• Reinforce basic academic skills
• Understand and model the Indigenous concept of “being a good relative”
• Be a good role model to youth and their families 
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule may include afternoons, evenings, and weekends 
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification
• Provide information and support to the executive team on related activities
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested

BENEFITS:

3 weeks paid vacation, 3 floating holidays. Comprehensive health, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance. Retirement with 3% match

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL:

Professional

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:

2 or 4-year degree

Alternatively, at least seven years' progressive experience working with children and families will be considered in lieu of a college degree

REPORT TO:

Program Director

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be a Professional Mentor at Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana! Offices are located in Billings.

Friends of the Children is committed to the communities we serve, to equal employment opportunity, and to diversity in our workplace. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12 years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne                

To learn more about Friends of the Children go to:  https://friendseasternmt.org/