Student Advocate at Squaxin Island Tribe – Shelton, Washington

Job Title: Squaxin Island Student Advocate

Department: Education

Reports To: Director of Education.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

TS Range: 6/7 ($24.28)

Opening Date: April 17, 2026

Closing Date: May 1st, 2026

SUMMARY:

The Student Advocate works directly with students and families to support academic success, positive attendance, social emotional well-being, and high school completion. The position is primarily based on-campus at assigned schools during the school day to provide direct student services. In the afternoons, the position transitions to Tu Ha’ Buts for after school supports such as extended learning and enrichment programming. This is a year-round position and includes summer programming and school break support to school-aged youth which may consist of tutoring, youth development, and career readiness. The Student Advocate collaborates closely with students, parents/guardians, school personnel, the assigned district, Tu Ha’ Buts Youth Center staff, and the Squaxin Island Education Department to ensure students are receiving coordinated, culturally responsive, and effective support services that prepares them for academic and career success.

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

Student Academic Support

• Provide individual and small-group academic support to students on and off school campus.
• Support students within the classroom as needed.
• Monitor and track grades, attendance, and academic progress.
• Identify students who are off track academically and provide or coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Monitor student attendance and refer attendance concerns to the school truancy coordinator.
• Support students who are meeting or exceeding expectations to help them reach their full academic potential.

Student Mentorship & Advocacy

• Serve as a mentor and advocate for students.
• Support students in building self-advocacy, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Assist students in developing organizational skills and effective study habits.
• Support students in setting and achieving short-term and long-term academic and personal goals.
• Be available as a trusted, supportive adult and sounding board for students.
• Collaborate with other Native Education tutors and student support staff at school sites.

Collaboration & Case Coordination

• Work closely with school staff, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and IEP coordinators, to design and implement appropriate student interventions.
• Attend IEP, planning, and support meetings with appropriate permissions from students and guardians.
• Coordinate with Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Case Managers, and other service providers as needed.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with school staff to address academic and social-emotional
• Student needs.

Family & Community Engagement

• Maintain open, consistent communication with families regarding student progress and needs.
• Provide referrals to community resources and support services, including physical health, behavioral health, family services, and other well-being support.
• Data Collection & Reporting
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking data for each student served.
• Ensure documentation meets program and funding requirements.
• Provide regular (monthly) reports to the Education Director.
• Use data to inform services and identify trends or service gaps.

Program Support & Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with the Parks and Recreation Department and wider Tu Ha’ Buts Youth Center staff to support programming during school breaks and summer recreation.
• Participate in required trainings and professional development to enhance skills relevant to the position.
• Collaborate regularly with the Squaxin Island Education Director (or their designee) and Education Department staff to discuss challenges, successes, and opportunities for program improvement.

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