Tribal Education Specialist

About Treehouse: We work to create opportunities for young people in foster care to thrive. We believe that every young person impacted by foster care determines their own future and can build the life of their dreams. Treehouse seeks to hire passionate individuals who understand the power of young people, celebrate diverse voices, and challenge themselves to do better. We are committed to providing opportunities for staff to learn and grow with the organization.

Benefits Summary: Treehouse values work-life balance and prioritizes the health of our staff. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with options for 100% employer-paid premiums; a retirement plan with 3% employer match; and paid leave that includes nine (9) holidays, generous PTO, and two weeks of staff appreciation days off.

• Generous PTO leave of four (4) weeks
• Healthcare benefit plans include options for 100% covered preventive care
• Two (2) weeks off (separate from PTO) for Staff Appreciation Weeks (each including a holiday)
• 403B retirement plan employer matching program (50% of employee contributions up to 6% of gross pay)
• 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave are covered by Treehouse
• Free, convenient parking
• Dog-friendly office space

Pay Transparency: This position’s annual pay is $56,908.80 ($27.36/hour).

Primary Worksite Location: South Puget Sound area

**A submitted resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process for this position.**

***Note that resumes/applications submitted for this position are reviewed on a rolling basis as received, until the position is filled.***

Job Summary:

The Treehouse Tribal Education Specialist works closely with partnering tribes, school administration, faculty, and staff, including foster care liaisons and school building points of contact, as well as the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), tribal social workers, and community partners, to support a caseload of youth experiencing foster care. The Education Specialist provides academic support, resource navigation, coaching, and mentoring services. The position regularly monitors youth attendance, behavior, and course performance using data received from schools, caregivers, and youth. The Education Specialist also performs personalized, timely interventions focused on problem-solving, skill-building, goal-setting, self-advocacy, enrichment support, and academic achievement. The position works closely with youth and supports them in achieving high school completion, and assists in developing and implementing a post-high school plan for their future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage an assigned caseload of youth, using established case procedures.
• Provide culturally appropriate case consultations with other direct service staff for Tribal youth.
• Identify opportunities to build relationships with larger tribal communities as part of an ongoing effort to establish trust, belonging, and rapport.
• Build relationships with social workers, caregivers, school personnel, and other collaborators to support youth holistically.
• Analyze data (i.e. attendance, educational history, behaviors, performance, etc.) for assigned youth to create and inform educational plans.
• Adhere to requirements for mandated reporting and following data confidentiality procedures.
• Coach youth on problem solving, self-advocacy, self-determination, academic mindset, self-regulation, persistence, and positive behavior.
• Identify and refer youth to appropriate resources to support education, social/emotional development, and other needs.
• Review High School & Beyond Plan for integration in the student’s goals and student-centered planning.
• Acquire consent forms for each assigned youth and collect school records as needed.
• Schedule and facilitate interagency meetings, facilitate transportation plans assisting with credit transfer/retrieval, and negotiate services and disciplinary appeals, etc.
• Collaborate regularly with the youth’s care team including, but not limited to: state, federal, or tribal social workers, community partners, caregivers, and school personnel.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and updated case records for each youth in the program’s database.
• Provide timely case progress reports to the supervisor and team, social workers, and caregivers.
• Partner with management to provide recommendations on success stories to represent the organizational mission upon request.
• Work from within assigned school locations to provide outreach and case coverage for other schools in the assigned service area.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must have reliable transportation and a current driver’s license, and maintain current insurance as required by Washington State, and provide proof of such upon request.
• Must satisfy Washington State and national criminal and motor vehicle background check requirements for working with youth and vulnerable adults.

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years’ experience working or partnering with tribal communities.
• Knowledge of federal and state education law, including special education and Indian Child Welfare laws.
• Prior experience facilitating, coordinating multiple stakeholders and Tribal nations through complex situations. Prior experience navigating special education evaluations and education plans.
• 2 years’ experience providing advocacy for and support of youth experiencing foster care or other vulnerable student populations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience providing affirming and engaging support services to youth from diverse and traditionally underserved or historically marginalized populations, including students of color, low-income students, or students with disabilities.
• Ability to deploy critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence when communicating on behalf of Treehouse.
• Demonstrated willingness to take initiative and collaborate with supervisor and team to enhance program quality and service delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice, and the ability to effectively engage in candid conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Ability to maintain records and data and use program data to inform decision-making and service delivery strategies.
• Demonstrated willingness to engage in, learn, and implement Trauma Informed Practice.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating and coordinating services with school districts, community agencies, caregivers, State and Tribal agencies, volunteers, and others.
• Ability to set boundaries and utilize support services to manage the personal impact of working with youth who have been placed at risk.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive and effective working relationships with individuals of various ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities.
• Ability and aptitude with online database systems to maintain records and data to support effective decision making and service delivery strategies.
• Knowledge of educational and community resources available to promote educational attainment for youth.
• Must thrive while working independently and be able to maintain healthy and productive relationships with coworkers and managers.
• Ability and aptitude with Microsoft Office Suite and other technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in a business environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and sign a confidentiality agreement.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position.
• Expected hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and occasional evenings and weekends.
• Work is expected to be primarily conducted in person at schools.
• Must reside within Washington State to comply with workplace reporting requirements.

Travel:

• Frequent local travel to attend meetings on behalf of youth and to build relationships with schools, caregivers, social workers, and other service providers.
• Travel requirements vary per assignment and will change depending on the needs of the position’s caseload.
• Overnight travel 1-3 weeks a year for training, conferences, and retreats.

Physical and Mental Conditions:

• Physical Requirements – long periods of stationary work, working on a computer, moving between various work areas, talking on the phone, interfacing with a computer/office equipment, and sitting at a desk or table while listening, talking, and taking notes.
• Mental Requirements – ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to remain poised under all circumstances, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that creates confidence and trust.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Treehouse values diversity and it is expressed in all aspects of our work, from the individuals and communities we serve to our organizational culture, employees, and volunteers. We understand that historic structural inequities have influenced each one of us, and we use this knowledge to deliberately cultivate the success of all people and treat everyone with dignity, humanity, and respect.

Treehouse believes that our capacity to effect sustainable change is strengthened when diverse individuals, beliefs, and perspectives are included. We model an institutional commitment to equity by investing resources at all levels and working toward measurable indicators of change.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions. This commitment reflects our core belief in creating an inclusive environment that empowers all individuals to contribute fully and meaningfully to our mission.