Friends of the Children is a nonprofit impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. We do this by providing children facing the most obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12+ years – no matter what.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated, committed professional to join our program team in Billigs, MT. The Family Engagement Specialist will serve the families of enrolled children. At Friends of the Children, we put children first and use our values to change the way the world treats and views youth facing great barriers. Sometimes, the best way to help a child in crisis is to help their family find stable housing, connect their caregivers with an employment program, or to help their caregivers navigate the red tape of signing up for survivors’ benefits. As a Family Engagement Specialist, you will nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally informed practice. You will partner with caregivers who have experienced significant trauma themselves, with community-based organizations, and with the mental health and foster care systems to build parental protective capacities and improve family stability.

Do you want to be a part of a dynamic and supportive national network, with a proven, evidence-based mentoring model? Are you ready to be part of a friendly and collaborative workplace, where work-life balance is respected. Most of all, you’ll play a critical role in helping Eastern Montana’s most vulnerable children change the trajectories of their lives!

Are you ready to work with an engaging team of mission-oriented people who love what they do? If so, the impactful role of a Family Engagement Specialist might be for you.

Curious to learn more? See the position details below:

We are hiring an extraordinary candidate looking to develop intensive, long-term, trusting relationships with the families who need it most. The Family Engagement Specialist will:

• Build protective factors in caregivers and advance family stability.
• Empower and build positive parenting skills with our caregivers.
• Plan and hold bi-monthly Caregiver Cafes.
• Work closely with Program Director to build intentional community partnerships.
• Model and coach our families in skills ranging from communication to anger management and problem solving.
• Collaborate and strategize with caregivers to effectively partner with outside support systems and organizations.
• Complement the work of the Friends by serving as an additional resource specialist in a variety of life domains that include, but are not limited to mental health, workforce development, housing, and public benefits.
• Work closely with the Program Director to ensure that caregiver basic needs are met.
• Support Program Director in the child identification and selection process.
• Collaborate with other employees to ensure quality, seamless service delivery to youth and families.
• Work with Development staff to coordinate Back to School Supplies and Holiday Gifts for the children in our program and their siblings.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (required), in mental health, social services or youth development related field.
• At least three to five years’ experience working with vulnerable children & families.
• Be culturally competent and trauma informed.
• Experience building relationships with caregivers, families, and teachers
• Superior scheduling and time management skills.
• Data entry and database management skills.
• An experience of being part of a growing non-profit.
• Most of all, you’ll play a critical role in helping Eastern Montana’s most vulnerable children change the trajectories of their lives!

What we offer: Work hours are flexible and will vary depending on the needs of the families, to include being available to work on Saturdays. Team members must provide their own child-safe vehicle and insurance; we reimburse for mileage.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental, vision, Simple IRA, and more.

Friends of the Children - Eastern Montana provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.