Student Support Advocate

MISSION STATEMENT:

As an organization grounded in the Latino community of Washington State, it is the mission of El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) build the Beloved Community* through unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity, and equity to all the peoples of the world.

JOB SUMMARY:

Latino students face a disproportionately higher rate of exclusion from high school and GED completion programs compared to other ethnic groups. At El Centro De La Raza, we are committed to providing a culturally affirming pathway to GED completion, emphasizing a curriculum that reflects the community and is facilitated by staff mirroring those we serve.  

The student support advocate is an essential retention and engagement role within our Si Se Puede Academy. Working in collaboration with the GED instructor and Lead Student Support Advocate, this position focused on daily student support, engagement, and persistence activities. The student support advocate will monitor student participation and progress, coordinate supplemental support and interventions, and ensure students feel supported, connected, and on track to complete their GED.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Student Engagement and Retention
   1. Maintain and actively co-manage a monthly case load of up to 60 enrolled students providing individualized 1:1 support, progress monitoring, and barrier assessment.
   2. Support orientation and onboarding for scholars choosing to enroll into the program.
   3. Track engagement, participation, and progress toward academic goals for all assigned students.
   4. Conduct regular check-ins with assigned students to monitor attendance, participation, engagement, and emotional/social well-being.
   5. Identify early warning signs of disengagement, absenteeism, or drop-off and escalate to the lead student support advocate, instructor, and co-director.
   6. Support culturally relevant engagement activities, including monthly charlas, in collaboration with the lead student support advocate
   7. Serve as a point of contact for students’ non-academic concerns (transportation, childcare, etc) and connect them with appropriate support.
   8. Complete individualized learning plans for enrolled students.
2. Academic Support Coordination
   1. Support the GED instructor by identifying students needing additional tutoring or follow-up and assist in coordinating peer tutoring sessions or supplemental instruction.
   2. Facilitate small group or one-on-one sessions to reinforce foundational skills based on direction from the instructor.
3. Recruitment and Outreach
   1. Assist in recruitment efforts by engaging with prospective students, providing program overview, and support services information.
   2. Create outreach materials including flyers and social media campaigns.
   3. Work alongside the lead student support advocate to welcome new enrollees and support orientation activities.
   4. Participate in outreach events, community tabling, or partner presentations as requested.
   5. Collaborate with community partners and networks to expand outreach initiatives.
4. Data Monitoring and Documentation
   1. Track key indicators (attendance and engagement levels) to provide timely reports to the Youth Services Co-Director
   2. Document interactions, check-in notes, and intervention outcomes into salesforce and our daily trackers.
   3. Support completion of program reports, monthly narratives, success stories, and program performance reports for the Board of Directors.
5. Collaboration and Communication
   1. Maintain regular communication with the lead student support advocate, GED instructor, and co-director to discuss student needs, barriers, progress, and any other helpful information.
   2. Attend weekly team meetings, 1;1s, department meetings, and professional development opportunities as they come up.
   3. Communicate effectively with students, families, and community partners in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner.
6. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, Zoom.
• Experience with data tracking—software data management in Salesforce
• Knowledge of re-engagement strategies  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Remote work eligible: Hybrid work model, with 4 days in person and 1 day remote. Will require a flexible schedule to support occasional weekend outreach opportunities and to meet participants’ needs. This position is based out of Federal Way but may require occasional travel to our Beacon Hill location and Seattle and King County libraries. 

El Centro reserves the right to change any or all conditions under which this position is permitted to work remotely or withdraw permission to work remotely with or without advance notice. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone, desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift 25 pounds

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Statement:

El Centro de la Raza 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.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the requirements of the position. El Centro de la Raza will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

El Centro de la Raza offers the following benefits to full-time staff:

• Medical and Dental Insurance with competitive employee and family rates.
• Basic Life insurance provided at no cost to employee; option to buy up for additional coverage.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution; eligible to participants after six months of employment; eligible for employer contribution after first year of employment with El Centro. · 12 days of sick/safe pay time each calendar year (accrued by pay period); Eligible to take accrued leave after 90 days of employment.
• 15 days of vacation accrued by pay period; start accruing upon hire; eligible to take after 6 months of employment plus a floating holiday and birthday off.
• 9 days of paid holidays have been established by El Centro de la Raza 5 days paid time off during the last week of December.
• Employment Assistant Program for all employees our EAP offers help with mental health, stress, grief and loss,

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement:   

All El Centro de la Raza employees are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Please bring your vaccination records on your first day. Failure to submit proof of vaccination will result in withdrawal of the job offer.  

El Centro de la Raza will consider requests for reasonable accommodation based upon disability or religious belief. Please contact HR@elcentrodelaraza.org for the appropriate application forms. 

To apply for this job please send your resume, cover letter, and our employment application to:  

Maria Casarez, Youth Services Co-Director mcasarez@elcentrodelaraza.org and hr@elcentrodelaraza.org 

Please go to the El Centro de la Raza website to download a copy of our Employment Application. 

cc HR, personnel file 

REV: 12/2025 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related fields.
• Bilingual Spanish/English both written and oral.
• 2-3 years of work experience in youth programming.
• Experience working with out of school youth and their Latin@ parents/caregivers.
• Knowledge of GED programs and educational support services.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse student population
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a Washington State Driver’s License, vehicle, and proof of insurability

Salary : $30 - $32