Job Description

Friends ofthe Children is a nonprofit that is impacting generational change by empoweringyouth through relationships with professional mentors. We do this by providingchildren facing the most obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professionalmentor, who we call a \xe2\x80\x9cFriend,\xe2\x80\x9d from kindergarten through high schoolgraduation, 12+ years \xe2\x80\x93 no matter what. We are currently seeking anextraordinary professional to embark on a new career journey as a Friend at ourBillings location.

At Friendsof the Children, we put children first and use our values to change the way theworld treats and views youth facing great barriers. These values align with theIndigenous extended kinship model and worldview that children are sacred. As a Friend you will nurture long-term relationshipsfrom a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally-informed practices. Doyou want to help urban, rural, and Indigenous youth discover their limitlesspotential, by fostering their internal resiliency? Are you ready to help buildrelationships within the communities of our youth and families to strengthensocial networks and provide bridges to new opportunities? If so, the impactful role of a Friend mightbe for you.

:

We are currently seeking a mentor (Friend) 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\xe2\x80\x99s 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\xe2\x80\x99s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to clearly articulate the organization\xe2\x80\x99s 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\xe2\x80\x99s 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\xe2\x80\x99s life
• Reinforce basic academic skills
• Understand and model the Indigenous concept of \xe2\x80\x9cbeing a good relative\xe2\x80\x9d
• Be a good role model to youth and their families
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons, evenings, and weekends (normal working days are Tuesday through Saturday with Sundays and Mondays off)
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines
• Complete, distribute, and collect time summaries, activity journals, short-term plans, expense reports, and evaluations materials accurately and in a timely manner
• Attend and actively participate in team meeting and staff functions
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification
• Provide information and support to the executive team on related activities
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested

Additional qualifications:

• Two-years of experience working with children
• Willingness to commit for a minimum of three years
• Connection/Experience with Indigenous culture and lifeways
• Advocate to secure additional resources, opportunities, and services for youth as appropriate
• Basic knowledge of historical trauma and trauma/healing informed practices
• Assist with systems navigation in schools to secure conditions for optimal academic success
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work respectfully with sovereign tribal nations, tribal departments, and tribal communities
• Ability to develop trusting relationships with children, families, teachers, and others involved in each child\xe2\x80\x99s life
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong technical skills and the ability to navigate internal systems and processes
• A sense of humor is a plus

Are you this amazing person? Here\xe2\x80\x99s what we have to offer you:

SALARY RANGE:

$47,250 annually

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 show us your writing skills and convey why you want to be a professional mentor at Friends of the Children \xe2\x80\x93 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 \xe2\x80\x93 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 \xe2\x80\x93 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 \xe2\x80\x9cOne\xe2\x80\x9d changes a child\'s story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how \xe2\x80\x9cOne\xe2\x80\x9d 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:

Friends of the Children