Description

Missoula Program Manager

Location: Missoula, MT (In-Person)                                                                                                                                   Reports to: Missoula Program Director

Friends of the Children- Western Montana is looking for a passionate, committed Program Manager to help coordinate, grow, and sustain our Friends of the Children program in Missoula.

Overview:

Mission of Friends of the Children-Western Montana: Impacting generational change by empowering youth, who are facing the greatest obstacles, through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what.

 Our model is proven to break the cycle of generational poverty for children who face the most barriers by providing paid professional mentors to thousands of youth across the country.  

 The ideal candidate will be proactive, results-driven, experienced in providing supervision and leadership to multiple staff and possess a sense of urgency while at the same time looking to focus on their entrepreneurial talents to make a real difference for children facing the highest risks.  They will be a fierce advocate for children facing systemic and institutional barriers and will be effective at communicating the urgency of our mission and success of our outcomes. 

 They will also develop close relationships and work directly with caregivers, enrolled youth and the partner organizations who serve them, maximizing our program impact across both generations. The Program Manager will work with community leaders to change the way the world treats and views our most sacred resource, our children.  

 They will lead and inspire Professional Mentors (Friends), assist in implementing the child enrollment process, work in collaboration with program staff to support our organizations community and family engagement events and support the Missoula Program Director in maintaining relationships with schools, families, and the community. 

 The Program Manager will report to and work in partnership with the Missoula Program Director to help guide professional mentors through day-to-day challenges and opportunities.  The right leader will be fiercely committed to equity, promote the full potential of the children and families we serve, and ensure that every aspect of the organization’s mission is executed with full engagement of communities impacted by our work.

Are you this amazing professional? Here’s what we have to offer you:

• A committed Missoula Program Director and Executive Director who will partner with you.
• The ability to supervise a proven evidence-based mentoring model.
• A team of talented employees who are passionate about working together to create an extraordinary organization.
• Respect for work-life balance for yourself and others. You will bring your full self to work and lead by example by integrating work and personal life with attention to self-care.
• A comprehensive benefits package.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by an individual assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Essential Functions/Core Job Accountabilities:

• Be relentlessly committed to ensuring that youth and caregivers achieve their goals and our long-term outcomes.
• Actively participate as a member of the program management team in helping to lead the organization, participating in strategic planning, budgeting, implementing, and upholding decisions or policies related to the operations of the organization.  
• Establish priority partnerships and programming that are responsive to the needs and goals of our children and families.  Utilize all resources that provide feedback, e.g. STATS reports and annual caregiver and youth evaluation assessments.
• Supervise, inspire, develop, and evaluate the efforts of up to five Friends.  Provide consultation and clear guidance to staff in navigating complex situations involving youth and their families act as a team facilitator and organizational motivator and facilitate effective communication in all directions.   
• Manage the performance of Friends under your supervision, including completing and conducting performance reviews including holding Friends accountable for work performance, adequacy of time spent with children, quality, and diversity of activities with children, and administrative/reporting responsibilities.   
• Know and understand the needs and issues of the families served.  
• Meet with each Friend under your supervision one-on-one each week and review each youth on their caseload, ensure Roadmaps goals, and all assessments are completed accurately and on time and ensure that each Friend has helped to identify and develop a specific area of interest or talent for each child.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately in all directions regarding organizational data, issues, concerns, policies, and procedures.  Raise and resolve issues appropriately.  
• Support the Missoula Program Director in the annual child selection and enrollment process; to include developing and sustaining a robust, formalized referral process, observing youth within schools and community settings, coordinating meetings with school and other support staff, completing required referral and enrollment paperwork, and work in tandem with Missoula Program Director in the selection process.
• Maintain strong relationships with partner schools and other community partners to allow for effective program implementation and sustainability. Work to identify additional community partners and agencies within the community to continue to build our partner network.  
• Utilize program data to help develop, implement, and sustain enrichment activities and program excellence.  Ensure the quality of program delivery at all levels.
• Develop and implement culturally appropriate programming that supports positive identity growth of children and families in the program. 
• Work with the Missoula Program Director to ensure compliance with the National Program fidelity agreement, STATS compliance, budgets, and program guidelines.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with the Program Director about key aspects of the program, including the status and potential issues with children, the performance of Friends under supervision, and recommendations for improvement of the program. 
• Work in collaboration with the Program Director to create and implement Summer and School Year programming. 
• Maintain partial roster of 4-6 youth. 
  • Develop and sustain a long-term, caring, protective, and loving relationship with each child  
  • Spend time with children, one-on-one and spend at least 3-4 hours per week with each child.
  • Partner with parents/caregivers to provide concrete and social emotional support for the family
  • Set realistic expectations and goals based on each child’s strengths, talents, abilities, and needs.
     

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; organizational and time management, delegation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including staff, program children, parents, schools, tribes, organizational supporters, Board members, and community partners.
• Ability to professionally represent the organization to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to research, analyze data, design/develop, propose, implement, and sustain culturally grounded programming.
• Ability to solve problems, work in a team environment, manage several issues concurrently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced constantly changing work environment.
• Strong project management skills. Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines, responsibilities, and competing priorities. Strategic planning and budgeting skills.
• Knowledge of child development issues, particularly those most relevant to our program youth.
• Awareness of community resources, and the ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with these resources.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with children, families, school personnel, organizational supporters, and community partners.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience working with child-related programs in progressively responsible roles.
• 2-3 years in a management role with significant supervisory duties and responsibilities preferred. 
• Basic computer literacy.
• Must possess or be willing to obtain a valid Montana Driver’s License, maintain an acceptable driving record, insurance, and operate a safe vehicle. 
• Must successfully pass a background check, including criminal and protective services clearances.

Full-time Compensation: $52,000 + Benefits

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• 401(k) with employer match
• 4 weeks PTO + most federal holidays
• PSLF Eligibility

 Apply by submitting a resume and cover letter by 5pm on March 20.  

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.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience working with child-related programs in progressively responsible roles.
• 2-3 years in a management role with significant supervisory duties and responsibilities preferred. 
• Basic computer literacy.
• Must possess or be willing to obtain a valid Montana Driver’s License, maintain an acceptable driving record, insurance, and operate a safe vehicle. 
• Must successfully pass a background check, including criminal and protective services clearances.

Apply by submitting a resume and cover letter by 5pm on March 20.