The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

Under general supervision, the Educational Advocate coordinates the transition of juvenile offenders from county detention facilities in Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish and Island Counties. The educational advocate’s purpose is to assist students who have dropped out of high school or juveniles previously incarcerated to successfully transition back to community schools, vocational training, college, GED programs or jobs. This position may be assigned work in community-based corrections programs with delinquent youth who may have histories of aggressive, assault, and/or deviant behavior.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates placement and facilitates enrollment of transition students into Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island County schools and educational programs or vocational programs; assesses high risk student needs and recommends educational programs to meet those needs/deliver student assistance programs; develops educational programs for transition students/students at risk of dropping out of school/suspended from school; arranges tutoring services as needed or requested.
• Monitors progress and attendance of students and at-risk students in high school; assists students to develop and achieve educational goals; provides social skills training and student assistance services to students as necessary.
• Serves as a liaison between education programs and the appropriate community services, detention facility, informs detention center staff and other interested parties of student progress and needs.
• Maintains contact with administrators and other staff of school districts and educational programs within each county; acts as an advocate of transition students/at-risk students enrolled in public school; provides consultation and training regarding delinquent youth to education program staffs as needed; may serve as liaison between parents and education programs.
• Attends meetings as requested by each school district and detention center or as required by program needs. May sit on various advisory committees as required.
• Attends pre-parole planning reviews; visits detention facilities, treatment facilities as necessary to assess student needs.
• Completes reports as requested by OSPI Program Manager, School District administrator; provides periodic student progress reports to detention, NWESD, counselors and parents. Maintains confidential student casebook, records, files and information as required.
• Maintains knowledge of available educational support services and programs; provides information regarding services to students, parents and detention. Develop and prepare manuals and grant proposals as required.
• Creates and gives presentations to local and national professional organizations as required
• Reviews transcripts and places students in appropriate classes.
• Provides personal/career counseling as needed or required.
• Works with students directly for one-on-one tutoring and GED preparation.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of substance abuse prevention.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development.
• Familiarity with drug and alcohol treatment resources in the community, including 12-step programs.
• Knowledge of laws relating to child abuse and neglect, and the ability to effectively intervene in related cases.
• Knowledge of and experience with school-based substance abuse and violence prevention and intervention strategies are highly desired.
• Ability to work independently as well as in team situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with hostile/violent youth, their families, community services and corrections agency staff in a multicultural community
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, positive interpersonal communication skills, and work independently and efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively with others in a team relationship and should be able to relate to staff in a variety of settings.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to implement program intervention strategies.