Education Specialist - Yakima

About Treehouse: Treehouse is a rapidly growing nonprofit with a 30-year history of addressing the academic and other essential support needs of children, youth and young adults experiencing foster care. Our services operate throughout Washington State, and we are an emerging leader in the national foster care conversation.

Nationwide only about half of youth in foster care graduate from high school. That’s why Treehouse partners with youth in care statewide as they set and achieve goals to earn their diplomas and make plans for the future.

Join a team that is passionately committed to youth succeeding. With a mission of giving kids and youth in foster care a childhood and a future, we provide education-focused coaching. We partner to offer experiences and essentials that foster community connections, exploration and growth. We fight for systems changes and join forces to pass landmark reforms that reduce inequities responsible for unjust barriers.

Well-loved, community-based and fiercely optimistic, Treehouse is uniquely positioned to partner with youth, schools, organizations, caregivers, social workers and funders. Together, we improve outcomes from childhood through high school graduation and beyond, including a successful launch into adulthood. We welcome alumni of care and encourage qualified individuals of every race, national origin, religion, age, disability or ability status, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to apply.  Position Summary:

The Education Specialist will work closely with high school administration, faculty and staff, tribal representatives, as well as the Department of Children Youth & Families and community partners, to support a caseload of youth experiencing foster care. The Educational Specialist partners with youth to develop goals and support plans that allow youth to experience high school on par with their peers and reach on-time high school completion. Specialists will meet with youth weekly to provide educational support, offer coaching and mentoring services, while identifying and allocating needed resources. Education Specialists will regularly monitor youth attendance, behavior, and course performance through the use of school district data interfaces such as Skyward. They will perform personalized, timely interventions focused on problem-solving, skill building, goal setting, and academic achievement. Specialists will work closely with youth and their support teams to assist youth in developing and implementing a post-high school plan for their future.Essential Functions:

Manage an assigned youth caseload in designated schools, using established case procedures.

Effectively build psychologically safe and affirming working relationships with assigned youth.

Using an equity lens, review educational history and systematically evaluate educational needs of each youth on your caseload through regular interaction with youth, caregiver, social worker, school staff and other service providers.

Assess each youth’s needs using established measurement tools.

With each youth, establish and monitor progress on Student Centered Plan for High School completion and the future.

Acquire consent forms, collect school records, and administer required pre/post tests on schedule.

Monitor Attendance, Behavior and Course Performance (ABC) for risk factors and facilitate interventions to address risks as necessary. Coach/mentor youth on problem solving, self-advocacy, academic mindset, self-regulation, persistence, and positive behavior.

Inform and encourage each youth to be involved in appropriate school or community-based activities. Refer youth for resources to support education, social/emotional development or other needs.

Provide advocacy around school enrollment and continuity, appropriate education services, and appropriate discipline.

Work closely with appropriate individuals/groups to help ensure each youth’s educational rights are upheld under federal and Washington State law.

Schedule and facilitate interagency meetings, negotiate services, facilitate transportation plans, assist with credit transfer or retrieval, negotiate disciplinary appeals, etc.

Manage effective working relationships at assigned school buildings with school personnel.

Develop and support an appropriate team for every youth by building effective ongoing relationships with social workers, caregivers, school staff and other collaborators.

Maintain complete, accurate and updated case records for each youth in programs database.

Provide reports to social workers and caregivers.Secondary Functions:

Provide recommendations on success stories to represent organizational mission upon request.

Attend all-staff and team meetings.

Supervise assigned volunteers to support the needs of youth on your caseload.

Support overall Treehouse operations as an ambassador for the mission.

Attend trainings and workshops as requested.

Other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Required

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, General Education, School Counseling, or Social Services related field OR equivalent work experience.

2 years’ experience providing youth development (i.e. mentoring, afterschool programing, tutoring etc.), educational or social services support to youth.

Experience providing affirming and engaging support services to youth and caregivers from diverse and traditionally underserved or historically marginalized populations, including students of color, low-income students, or students with disabilities.

Ability to set boundaries and utilize support services to manage personal impact of working with youth who have been placed at risk.

Ability to maintain records and data to support effective evaluation processes and analysis, and use program data to inform decision making and service delivery strategies.

Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.

Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

Regular attendance and punctuality required.

Demonstrated ability to build positive, authentic and effective working relationships with individuals of various ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities.

Ability and aptitude with Microsoft Office Suite and other technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in business environment.

Reliable transportation, and if driving on Treehouse business, a current driver's license and at least minimum WA State driver insurance coverage is required.

Must clear nationwide criminal background check and driving record background check.Preferred

Fluent in Spanish (both verbal and written) and deep knowledge of Hispanic/Latinx culture with experience building positive and affirming relationships with youth.

Deep knowledge of one or more Washington State Indigenous Nations cultures and histories with experience building positive and affirming relationships with youth.

Working knowledge of Indian Child Welfare Act, or first-hand, lived experience.

Professional experience working with or advocating for youth experiencing foster care or youth from other vulnerable populations.

Deep knowledge of and connection to Yakama and/or Yakima County community area, including supporting or training youth in indigenous cultural practices and/or community activities such as rodeo or athletics.

Knowledge of educational and community resources available to promote educational attainment for youth.

Must thrive working independently outside of a business office while maintaining relationships with coworkers and managers.

Desire to make meaningful investment in the community. Physical and Mental Requirements:

1. Mental Effort – Requires attention to detail, interacting with others in-person, through email, and via web conferencing, using critical thinking and listening skills, and active participation at meetings.

2. Physical Requirements – May include long periods of sitting, working on a computer, using on the phone, working with other office/computer equipment, attending meetings.

3. Working Conditions – This position primarily works remotely and independently at multiple school and public settings. Frequently visits and attends meetings in a business office environment. The Treehouse office building is a dog friendly work environment.This position pays $20.50 per hour, non-exempt. Treehouse also offers a generous paid time off plan, free medical, dental, vision, and 403(b) plan.

To apply, please provide your resume and cover letter through Treehouse’s Careers site, www.treehouseforkids.org/careers, explaining how you meet the required skills and abilities. This position will be posted until filled.