Therapeutic Youth Mentor

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

Job summary

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Inc. seeks a Therapeutic Youth Mentor to support youth in resilience and life skills, serving as a positive role model within a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes professional relationships, treatment goal support, and collaboration with therapists and families. The position requires building rapport, maintaining confidentiality, and contributing to ongoing training.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Criminal/child abuse clearance as required by state law.
• Driver's license to operate a passenger vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusting, professional relationships with youth receiving mental health services.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating healthy choices, boundaries, and coping strategies.
• Support youth in achieving treatment plan goals as outlined by therapists and the treatment team.
• Facilitate 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 agency protocols.

Skills

Rapport building

Boundaries & confidentiality

Individual & group work

Team collaboration

Active listening

EHR documentation

Typing 35 WPM

Ethical judgment

Self-motivation

Values alignment

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.