Student Advocate in Shelton, Washington at Squaxin Island Tribe

Job Title: Student Advocate

Department: Education

Reports To: Director of Education, Mandy Paradise

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

TS Range: 6/7 ($24.28)

Opening Date: 10/2/2026

Closing Date: 10/16/2026

SUMMARY: The successful applicant with work closely with students, families and the Shelton School District to ensure positive educational outcomes, improved reading, writing and math competencies and high school completion. The Student advocate works closely with students to assist in the completion of academic, improve attendance and social emotional health in collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and school staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Support students on and off campus by providing academic support
  • Individual and small group academic support
  • In class academic support
  • Tracking grades/attendance
  • Offer intervention when grades/attendance/standardized test scores are not on track
  • Track attendance issues to be referred to truancy coordinator
  • Ensure students who are on track or thriving are receiving support to reach potential
• Must work closely with Squaxin Island Education Director and Education department staff to provide quality service to Squaxin Island families.
  • Meet regularly with staff to discuss challenges, successes and ideas to ensure the Education Department is providing quality service to the community.
• Mentor students as they face challenges/barriers and assist students with developing the skills needed to address challenges.
  • Work to increase student resiliency
  • Work with students to increase organizational skills
  • Work with students to make long and short term goals
  • Be available as a support and sounding block for students
  • Work in collaboration with other Native Ed tutors on site at schools
• Provide interventions in collaboration with school staff as necessary
  • Teachers
  • IEP coordinators

§ Attend IEP meeting with permission of student and Guardian

• Counselors
• Administrators
• Drug and Alcohol Counseling
• Provide referrals to community support
  • Behavioral health
  • Family services
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff and school district to facilitate collaborations that address the full range of student needs, including social emotional needs.
• Provides an open line of communication with families
• Maintain weekly tracking data to ensure each student is receiving services
  • Provide monthly report to Education Director
  • Maintain up to date and accurate data
• Attend trainings that increase skills and knowledge specific to this position.
• Work collaboratively with Parks and Recreation Department to provide quality programming during school breaks and summer recreation.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: this position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field, OR an Associates Degree in a related field and 2 years of relevant experience, OR a High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of relevant experience.

The successful applicant must: demonstrate knowledge of core subject areas; possess effective written and oral communication skills; deal with students in a warm and confident manner; learn the use of computer and software programs; maintain accurate files and records; attend to detail and follow tasks through to completion; maintain confidentiality; organize tasks and set priorities within established parameters; remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations; organize activities; follow instructions; be fair and consistent when working with students; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students and parents; and achieve and maintain cultural competency.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with fundamental algebra and geometry, as well as basic computation skills. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid Washington State Drivers License. Must have taken and passed ETS Praxis/Para Pro Assessment Test. Applicant must submit a copy of test and passing scores with application. Must pass a background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The successful applicant will regularly be required to talk and hear, frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms and occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell. The employee may frequently be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level for this position is generally moderate.

OTHER: This position will be required to report daily to the Squaxin Island Education Liaison.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

There will be no tolerance of the abuse of alcohol or use of illegal drugs while employed in the Squaxin Island Tutoring Program. Use of tobacco in front of youth is not permitted. Tobacco use is allowed during breaks only in designated locations. Any violation of these policies is cause for immediate termination.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

CONTACT: Human Resources Department (360) 426-9781 or visit squaxinisland.org to get an application.