Job Description
Job Description
Description : About Treehouse :
At 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 during an exciting time as we expand our services and reach statewide.
Benefits Summary :
Treehouse values work-life balance and prioritizes the health of our staff. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with 100% employer-paid premiums; a retirement plan with 3% employer match; and paid leave that includes 9 holidays, generous PTO and two weeks of staff appreciation days off.
- Generous PTO of 4 weeks
- Healthcare benefit plan options include 100% covered preventive care
- 2 weeks off (separate from PTO) for Staff Appreciation Weeks
- 403B Retirement Plan matching
- The company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave
- Free convenient parking
- Dog-friendly office space
Pay Transparency : This position’s budgeted starting pay is $26.38. This is an hourly, nonexempt position. The full salary range is $25.61- $35.09 per hour.
Primary Worksite Location : Shelton or Aberdeen DCYF Office
Job Summary :
The Educational Advocate provides short-term academic advocacy services to support the removal of immediate barriers to education for students experiencing foster care. Advocates do not work directly with students but collaborate with their support team, including caregivers, parents, school and district staff, social workers, and wrap-around teams. The Educational Advocate works at the intersection of the foster system and the education system, assisting team members to understand each other's roles and each system’s requirements and processes. The Educational Advocate’s goal is to resource the student’s natural supports, building a collaborative and communicative team to ensure that barriers to their free and appropriate public education are removed. The Educational Advocate facilitates training regarding education and foster care law, policy, and processes, and coaches teams in providing individualized student supports and interventions.
Essential Functions :
Manage an assigned caseload of youth, using established case procedures.Improve educational outcomes for youth experiencing foster care by providing educational planning and advocacy, as well as social-emotional development coaching to youths’ support network.Ensure each youth’s educational rights are upheld under federal and state law.Research RCWs, WACs, federal guidance material, Special Education law, and other information relevant to the needs of each student.Evaluate educational needs systematically and review educational history as needed for youth on caseload.Provide educational planning details and support to caregivers, parents, youth, social workers, school staff, and other service providers.Attend and schedule meetings on behalf of Treehouse with schools, caregivers, parents, social workers, and other service providers in the local community.Serve statewide cases remotely as needed.Conduct training sessions for caregivers, parents, social workers, and community partners both virtually and in person.Facilitate training sessions for Treehouse staff, including onboarding and capacity building.Schedule and facilitate interagency meetings, negotiating services and transportation plans, and assist with credit transfer or retrieval, negotiating disciplinary appeals, etc.Maintain complete, accurate, and updated case records for each youth in the program database. Report on case progress to supervisor and team on established schedule.Provide timely feedback, communication, and written reports to social workers, parents, and caregivers.Prepare advocacy outcome stories to represent the organizational mission upon request.Work from within the assigned Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) offices at least one day / week. The amount of office time will be determined by the regional manager and may vary depending on the area served and the needs of the region.Provide outreach to designated DCYF offices per the department’s outreach plan.Perform other duties as assigned.Requirements : Working Conditions :
Educational Advocates are required to work in person at their primary DCYF office regularly, providing training and resourcing staff. Educational Advocates are required to periodically work in other DCYF offices as determined by their manager. Outside of these requirements and the in-person requirements pertaining to school meetings, Educational Advocates may work remotely.
Full-timeMonday to Friday8 : 00 am to 5 : 00 pmOccasional evenings and weekends. Frequent early morning / late running school meetings (before and after school).Frequent travel to attend meetings on behalf of youth and to build relationships with schools, caregivers, social workers, parents, and other service providers.Travel requirements vary per assignment and will change depending on the needs of the Educational Advocate’s caseload.Overnight travel 1-3 weeks a year for training, conferences and retreats.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
High school diploma or GED equivalentDemonstrated understanding of federal and state education law, including special education.Ability to deploy critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence when communicating on behalf of Treehouse.Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and the ability to effectively engage in candid conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.Experience facilitating meetings and presentations virtually and in person.Experience providing support services to youth, parents, and caregivers from diverse and traditionally underserved populations, including students of color, low-income students, or students with disabilities.Must thrive while working independently both within and outside an office setting while maintaining relationships with coworkers and managers.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, and the ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.Reliable transportation, current driver's license, and minimum WA State driver insurance coverage required.Demonstrated ability to build working relationships with individuals of various ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities.Ability to set boundaries and utilize support services to manage the personal impact of working with youth who have experienced trauma.Ability and aptitude with Microsoft Office Suite and other technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in a business environment.Knowledge of educational and community resources available to promote educational attainment for youth.Clear nationwide criminal background check and driving record background check.The Educational Advocate will have access to sensitive and proprietary information, including but not limited to company strategies, financial data, personnel records, and executive communications. Maintaining strict confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of this role. The Educational Advocate must not disclose, share, or use any confidential information for personal gain or any purpose outside of their professional duties.Preferred Experience :
Prior experience facilitating training virtually and in-person to an audience of 5 to 100 people.Prior experience facilitating and coordinating multiple parties with varying perspectives through complex situations.Prior experience navigating special education evaluations and education plans.2 years’ experience providing advocacy and support for youth experiencing foster care or other vulnerable student populations.Physical and Mental Requirements :
Physical Requirements – Extended periods of stationary work, working with a computer, talking with a phone, working with office equipment, and moving between various work areas. Ability to drive a vehicle.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.DISCLAIMER :
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this
classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all
duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an
adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and
mission metrics.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION :
Treehouse is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. Treehouse does not
discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment
because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender,
gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local,
state or federal law. 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.
Contact : employeesuccess@treehouseforkids.org
Salary : $26 - $35
