Academic Achievement Specialist | Missoula

Basic Function / Position Objective:

Academic Achievement Specialist, you will nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. You will offer children academic support with focused, regular tutorial sessions during the school year and over the summer months in a variety of situations. These situations will likely include meeting with children in the classroom or after school at the Friends of the Children clubhouse or other settings to work on educational goals created with their primary teacher and Professional Mentor. The Academic Achievement Specialist will also work as a thought partner and resource specialist to support professional mentors in providing ongoing literacy and math and learning support for enrolled program youth.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

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  Effectively manage and select a roster of 10-12 students who you will see for 45-60 minutes two times per week for 3-4 10 week learning cycles through the course of the year.
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  Coordinate a program-wide annual assessment of all youth in the spring and two assessments per youth during their 10 week learning cycles (beginning and end).
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  Identify and organize individualized learning materials that are age and skill appropriate for program youth.
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  Partner with professional mentors and program director to develop individualized learning plans for continued academic support for each youth after a 10-week cycle is complete.
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  Manage the collection, organization, and reporting of assessment data to demonstrate program impact and outcomes.
• Promote literacy and math skillsfor enrolled youth by reading together, taking outings to the library, playing games that involve reading instructions and basic math, and helping with homework.
  
• Foster positive peer relationships and learning behaviors by teaching and modeling prosocial and self-management skills.
  
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  Partner with teachers and principals to provide regular learning tutorials in the school environment during the school year that re-enforce classroom learning lessons.
• Help children find their spark by engaging in STEAM and enrichment activities that lay the foundation for future passions, careers, and cultural awareness. 
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  Act as a consistent and positive adult in a child's life as they face life changes and transitions
• Advocate for children in the classroom, ensuring they have the support to progress in school.
  Support caregivers to advocate for their children and help them build positive relationships with school staff, which could include participation in parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings.
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  Maintain a 40-hour work schedule that includes afternoons and evenings.
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  Maintain spending within budgetary guidelines.
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  Complete, distribute, and collect time summaries, activity journals, short-term plans, expense reports, and evaluations materials accurately and in a timely manner.
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  Attend and actively participate in team meetings and staff functions.
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  Transport children in personal vehicles as required for academic activities.
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  Provide information and support to the executive team on related activities.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as requested.

Essential Skills and Abilities:

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  Proven ability to effectively engage caregivers, extended family members, Elder, and community supports as partners in a child’s educational success
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  Ability to develop trusting relationships with children, families, teachers, and others involved in each child’s life;
• Ability to relate to children and to develop and sustain trusting, supportive relationships with them;
  
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  Strong interpersonal skills;  
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  Demonstrated ability to work with children in varied capacities and settings to help them learn and grow;
  
• Ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries while developing meaningful relationships with youth, families, teachers, and school staff
• Ability to cultivate trusting relationships with children, parents, teachers and community members;
  
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  Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate appropriately within the workplace; 
  
• Ability to use creativity and initiative in planning activities to continually develop children;
  
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  Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with program staff
• Ability to manage several concurrent issues and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to complete administrative tasks accurately and on time;
  
• Ability to handle high mobility and driving demands safely and with good judgment;
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management skills;
  
• Basic computer and keyboarding skills, proficiency with e-mail systems, familiarity with MS Outlook and Access (or other database applications);
  
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  Ability to exercise good judgment independently, in various situations and environments, and under varying levels of stress.
  

Additional Job Requirements:

• Maintain current driver’s license, good driving record, and vehicle insurance with business endorsement.
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  Maintain First Aid/CPR certification;
  
  
  

Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree (required) in education, mental health, social services or youth development related field. Teacher’s certification strongly preferred.
• At least three to five years’ experience working with vulnerable children or families.
• Be culturally competent and trauma informed.
• 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.

Working Hours:
This is a full-time, exempt position.  Due to the nature of this role, the work hours are somewhat non-traditional and may include late afternoon and evening work