Academic Achievement Specialist | Missoula

Friends of the Children Montana • Missoula, MT

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

As an Academic Achievement Specialist, you will nurture long-term relationships with children based on love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. You will provide academic support through focused, regular tutorial sessions during the school year and summer months. This will involve meeting with children in classrooms or after school at the Friends of the Children clubhouse, or other settings, to work on educational goals developed with their primary teacher and Professional Mentor. The Academic Achievement Specialist will also act as a thought partner and resource specialist to support professional mentors in providing ongoing literacy, math, and learning support for enrolled program youth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (required) in education, mental health, social services, or a youth development-related field.
• At least three to five years of experience working with vulnerable children or families.
• Cultural competence and trauma-informed approach.
• Experience building relationships with children, parents, families, and teachers.
• Superior scheduling and time management skills.
• Data entry and database management skills.
• Experience working in a growing non-profit.
• Maintain current driver's license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance with business endorsement.
• Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.

Nice To Haves

• Teacher's certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and select a roster of 10-12 students for 45-60 minute sessions, twice a week, for 3-4 10-week learning cycles throughout the year.
• Coordinate a program-wide annual assessment of all youth in the spring and conduct two assessments per youth during their 10-week learning cycles (beginning and end).
• Identify and organize individualized learning materials that are age and skill-appropriate for program youth.
• Partner with professional mentors and the program director to develop individualized learning plans for continued academic support for each youth after a 10-week cycle.
• Manage the collection, organization, and reporting of assessment data to demonstrate program impact and outcomes.
• Promote literacy and math skills for enrolled youth by reading together, visiting the library, playing educational games, and assisting with homework.
• Foster positive peer relationships and learning behaviors by teaching and modeling prosocial and self-management skills.
• Partner with teachers and principals to provide regular learning tutorials in the school environment during the school year that reinforce classroom learning.
• Help children discover their interests through STEAM and enrichment activities that lay the foundation for future passions, careers, and cultural awareness.
• Act as a consistent and positive adult in a child's life during times of change and transition.
• Advocate for children in the classroom, ensuring they receive the support needed to progress in school.
• Support caregivers in advocating for their children and building positive relationships with school staff, potentially including participation in parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings.
• Maintain a 40-hour work schedule, including afternoons and evenings.
• Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
• Complete, distribute, and collect time summaries, activity journals, short-term plans, expense reports, and evaluation materials accurately and in a timely manner.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions.
• Transport children in personal vehicles as required for academic activities.
• Provide information and support to the executive team on related activities.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

Benefits

• 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons and evenings.
• 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 meetings and staff functions.
• Transport children in personal vehicles as required for academic activities.
• Provide information and support to the executive team on related activities.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level