Therapeutic Youth Mentor

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch; Colstrip (MT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Therapeutic Youth Mentor (TYM) at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch helps youth build resilience, develop life skills, and learn healthy coping strategies. Working with a multidisciplinary team, the TYM provides individualized, compassionate care and supports treatment goals through engaging activities, modeling professional behavior, and maintaining safe boundaries.

The role requires strong communication, ability to document accurately in an electronic health record, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Background check for criminal and child abuse registry required.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Driver's license required to operate a passenger vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusting relationships with youth receiving mental health services.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy choices and boundaries.
• Support youth in achieving treatment plan goals as outlined by therapists.
• Facilitate skill-building activities focusing on communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and daily living skills.
• Accompany youth in community settings to promote socialization, independence, and positive peer interactions.
• Provide crisis support and de-escalation when needed, following YBGR protocols.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in compliance with agency standards.
• Collaborate with therapists, case managers, families, and community partners to ensure coordinated care.
• Actively contribute to organizational goals, including PQI initiatives.
• Model YBGR's mission, values, and professional standards in all interactions.
• Adhere to agency policies, safety procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Take initiative in identifying challenges and seeking effective solutions.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and ongoing training.
• Remain aware of and responsive to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the youth and families served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Rapport building

Therapeutic engagement

Active listening

Professional boundaries

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary: The Therapeutic Youth Mentor (TYM) plays a vital role in helping youth build resilience, strengthen life skills, and develop healthy coping strategies. This position is centered on creating positive, supportive, and professional relationships while serving as a role model. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the TYM ensures individualized, compassionate care and supports each youth in reaching their treatment goals.

Starting Salary Range: $16.19 - $18.22 per hour. Salary reflects steps 1-5 of an 11-step pay schedule. The starting salary will be determined based on the applicant’s education and relevant experience.

Daily And Monthly Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusting, professional relationships with youth receiving mental health services.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy choices, appropriate boundaries, and effective coping strategies.
• Support youth in achieving treatment plan goals as outlined by therapists and the treatment team.
• Facilitate engaging skill-building activities focused on communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and daily living skills.
• Accompany youth in community settings to promote socialization, independence, and positive peer interactions.
• Provide crisis support and de-escalation when needed, following YBGR protocols.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR), in compliance with agency standards.
• Collaborate with therapists, case managers, families, and community partners to ensure coordinated care.
• Actively contribute to organizational goals, including Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) initiatives.
• Model YBGR's mission, values, and professional standards in all interactions.
• Adhere to agency policies, safety procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Take initiative in identifying challenges and seeking effective solutions.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and ongoing training.
• Remain aware of and responsive to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the youth and families served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 21 years old or older
• Criminal / Child Abuse Clearance: Must pass criminal record and child abuse registry background check as required by the State of Montana.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Driver's license to operate passenger vehicle

Required Abilities/Skills

• Strong ability to build rapport and engage therapeutically with youth.
• Knowledge of professional boundaries and confidentiality practices.
• Ability to work with youth both individually and in group settings.
• Collaborative approach to teamwork with the ability to work independently when needed.
• Excellent active listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in completing documentation in an electronic health record; minimum typing speed of 35 WPM (Microsoft Office 365 experience preferred).
• Sound judgment, ethical decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Self‑motivated, dependable, and adaptable with a team‑oriented mindset.
• Commitment to YBGR's values: Faith, Integrity, Relationship, and Stewardship.
• Willingness and ability to obtain certification in First Aid/CPR and Violence Intervention Prevention.

Physical/Environmental Demands & Requirements

• Services may be delivered in homes, schools, community settings, and agency facilities.
• Flexible schedule may be required, including evenings or weekends.
• Moderate physical activity may be involved, including recreation with youth.
• Rare involvement in the physical restraint of youth (50-300 lbs) when safety is at risk.
• Must be able to accurately observe, interpret, and respond to verbal and non‑verbal client behavior.
• Exposure to high‑stress situations during crisis intervention.
• Travel to other locations may be required as needed to meet with employees, clients, families, and other stakeholders. This may involve the use of a personal vehicle and may include transporting clients. For approved travel beyond the designated office location normal commute, mileage reimbursement will be provided if using a personal vehicle.