Academic Achievement Specialist

Friends of the Children - Western Montana; Polson (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with 3% match

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Friends of the Children - Western Montana is seeking an Academic Achievement Specialist to provide individualized tutoring and learning support to youth in the Flathead Nation. You will build lasting relationships, collaborate with mentors, teachers, and caregivers, and help students reach their educational goals in schools, at the clubhouse, and within community settings.

The role emphasizes literacy and math development, STEAM enrichment, and tracking progress through assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, mental health, social services, youth development, or related field.
• Teacher certification is strongly preferred.
• Three to five years of experience working with children or families facing significant obstacles.
• Experience building meaningful relationships with youth, caregivers, families, teachers, Elders, and community partners.
• Culturally responsive, trauma‑informed approach to working with children and families.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, scheduling, time management, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with program staff.
• Experience developing educational activities and individualized learning supports.
• Ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Data entry, assessment tracking, and database management skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including email, Microsoft Outlook, and database applications.
• Ability to work effectively in varied environments and exercise sound judgment under changing circumstances.
• Experience working in a growing nonprofit organization is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a roster of approximately 10–12 students and provide 45–60‑minute tutoring sessions twice per week during three to four 10‑week learning cycles each year.
• Coordinate annual academic assessments for program youth and conduct beginning- and end‑of‑cycle assessments.
• Develop individualized, age‑appropriate learning materials and academic support plans.
• Partner with Professional Mentors, teachers, school administrators, caregivers, and the Program Director to support each child’s educational goals.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and report assessment data to demonstrate program outcomes.
• Strengthen literacy and math skills through tutoring, homework support, reading, educational games, library visits, and hands‑on activities.
• Engage youth in STEAM and enrichment opportunities that encourage curiosity, cultural awareness, and future interests.
• Foster positive learning behaviors, peer relationships, self‑management skills, and confidence.
• Advocate for youth in school and help caregivers build positive relationships with teachers and school staff.
• Participate in parent‑teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and other educational planning meetings as appropriate.
• Transport youth in a personal vehicle for academic and enrichment activities.
• Complete required documentation, activity plans, expense reports, evaluations, and other administrative responsibilities accurately and on time.
• Participate actively in team meetings, staff functions, and organizational activities.
• Maintain spending within established budget guidelines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Organization

Time management

Problem solving

Independent work

Cultural competence

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, mental health, social services, youth development, or related field

Teacher certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Database applications

Job description

Reports to: Program Director, Flathead Nation

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit organization impacting generational change by empowering youth through long-term relationships with professional mentors. We provide children facing the greatest obstacles with a salaried, professional mentor—whom we call a “Friend”—from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12+ years, no matter what.

Are you ready to play a critical role in helping youth across the Flathead Nation strengthen their academic skills, build confidence, and discover a lifelong love of learning? If so, the impactful role of Academic Achievement Specialist may be the opportunity for you!

We are seeking an Academic Achievement Specialist to provide individualized academic support to youth enrolled in our Flathead Nation program.

In this role, you will build long-term relationships grounded in love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. You will work directly with children throughout the school year and summer, providing focused tutoring and enrichment activities in schools, at the Friends of the Children clubhouse, and in other community settings.

You will also serve as a resource and thought partner for our Professional Mentors, helping them strengthen the literacy, math, and overall learning support they provide to youth.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a roster of approximately 10–12 students and provide 45–60-minute tutoring sessions twice per week during three to four 10‑week learning cycles each year.
• Coordinate annual academic assessments for program youth and conduct beginning- and end‑of‑cycle assessments.
• Develop individualized, age‑appropriate learning materials and academic support plans.
• Partner with Professional Mentors, teachers, school administrators, caregivers, and the Program Director to support each child’s educational goals.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and report assessment data to demonstrate program outcomes.
• Strengthen literacy and math skills through tutoring, homework support, reading, educational games, library visits, and hands‑on activities.
• Engage youth in STEAM and enrichment opportunities that encourage curiosity, cultural awareness, and future interests.
• Foster positive learning behaviors, peer relationships, self‑management skills, and confidence.
• Advocate for youth in school and help caregivers build positive relationships with teachers and school staff.
• Participate in parent‑teacher conferences, IEP meetings, and other educational planning meetings as appropriate.
• Transport youth in a personal vehicle for academic and enrichment activities.
• Complete required documentation, activity plans, expense reports, evaluations, and other administrative responsibilities accurately and on time.
• Participate actively in team meetings, staff functions, and organizational activities.
• Maintain spending within established budget guidelines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in education, mental health, social services, youth development, or a related field.
• Teacher certification is strongly preferred.
• Three to five years of experience working with children or families facing significant obstacles.
• Experience building meaningful relationships with youth, caregivers, families, teachers, Elders, and community partners.
• A culturally responsive, trauma‑informed approach to working with children and families.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, scheduling, time management, and problem‑solving abilities.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating closely with program staff.
• Experience developing educational activities and individualized learning supports.
• The ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Data entry, assessment tracking, and database management skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including email, Microsoft Outlook, and database applications.
• The ability to work effectively in varied environments and exercise sound judgment under changing circumstances.
• Experience working in a growing nonprofit organization is preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Reliable personal vehicle and required automobile insurance coverage of at least 100K/300K/100K and business use endorsement.
• Ability to transport children as part of the position.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain certification.
• Ability to maintain a flexible 40‑hour workweek that may include afternoons and evenings.

Compensation and Benefits

• Employer covers 100% of the employee‑only premium for comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance.
• 401(k) with 3% employer match
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.