Professional Mentor (Friend)

Friends of the Children Montana•Missoula, MT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. They provide children facing significant obstacles with a long-term, salaried professional mentor, known as a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, for a minimum of 12 years. The Western Montana Chapter is seeking an extraordinary professional to serve as a Friend. This role emphasizes putting children first, aligning with values that honor the Indigenous extended kinship model and worldview that children are sacred. The Friend will nurture long-term relationships based on love, acceptance, and culturally informed practices, aiming to help rural and Indigenous youth discover their potential by fostering their internal resiliency and building community relationships to strengthen social networks and provide opportunities.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied settings to help them learn and grow.
Ability to cultivate trusting relationships with children, parents, teachers, and community members.
Strong sense of confidentiality and professional communication.
Creativity and initiative in planning engaging activities.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to set and achieve goals for each child’s development.
Skilled in time management and administrative accuracy.
Comfortable with high mobility and frequent driving.
Strong written and verbal communication.
Basic computer proficiency (email, MS Outlook, database use).
Maintain a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and vehicle insurance with liability limits of at least 100K/300K/100K.
Maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
Transport children in a personal vehicle as needed for mentoring activities.
2- or 4-year degree required.

Nice To Haves

A sense of humor is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a positive adult role model to eight children.
Develop loving, caring, and sustained relationships with each child.
Set positive expectations for each child.
Nurture and promote each child’s strength, talents, and abilities.
Help ensure each child's physical and emotional well-being.
Teach life and academic skills.
Provide enrichment activities.
Model responsible behavior.
Fully document activities and participate in the ongoing evaluation process.
Work primarily one-on-one with children.
Build trusting supportive relationships with parents/caregivers.
Know, understand, honor, and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and principles, and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s function.
Develop and sustain long-term, caring, trusting, and accepting relationships with each child.
Spend time with children one-on-one and in classroom settings.
Develop, maintain, and follow a Roadmap or Transition Plan for each child.
Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, and needs.
Teach life skills and healthy habits to support development and self-esteem.
Foster each child’s talents or interests to help build confidence.
Provide enrichment resources and activities that promote cultural awareness, diversity, and community service.
Support children in developing behavioral management skills, tolerance, respect, and compassion.
Build positive relationships with families, teachers, and others in the child’s life.
Reinforce academic skills and learning.
Model good problem-solving and decision-making.
Participate in Friends of the Children programming and make effective use of resources.
Manage expenses and time within organizational guidelines.
Complete all documentation (journals, plans, reports, evaluations) accurately and on time.
Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff events.
Support the development team as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.