About 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.
Pay Transparency: This position’s annual pay is $54,866.66 ($26.3782/hour).
Primary Worksite Location: We are hiring for an on-site position serving the following school districts: N. Thurston, Tumwater, and Shelton. This is not a remote work position.
**A submitted resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process for this position.*****Note that resumes/applications submitted for this position are reviewed on a rolling basis as received, until the positions are filled.***
Job Summary:
The Treehouse Education Specialist serves as a mission-driven, equity-centered staff member who contributes regularly to advance the organization’s commitment to anti-racism, social justice, and belonging by working closely with school administration, faculty, and staff, including foster care liaisons and school building points of contact, as well as the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), tribal social workers, and community partners, to support a caseload of youth experiencing foster care.
The Education Specialist helps to ensure the needs of the youth that Treehouse serves are met, aligning programmatic and operational goals through a culturally responsive and inclusive approach with acknowledgement of the trauma experienced by youth in care. The role seeks to help dismantle systemic inequities, promote psychological safety, engage in equitable practices across systems, and contribute to an organizational culture rooted in dignity, accountability, and care in service of the youth that Treehouse supports.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage an assigned caseload of youth 9th – 12th Grade, using established case procedures and ensuring equitable practices.
- Provide support for up to one year post high school focused on adapting plans and addressing challenges related to education, career, and/or basic living skills.
- Build trusting relationships with social workers, caregivers, school personnel, and other collaborators in an inclusive and welcoming manner to support youth holistically.
- Analyze data (i.e. attendance, educational history, behaviors, performance, etc.) for assigned youth to create and inform educational plans.
- Adhere to reporting mandates, policies, and procedures.
- Coach youth on problem solving, self-advocacy, self-determination, academic mindset, self-regulation, persistence, and positive behavior to ensure that the youth have a safe, positive, and respectful experience, inclusive of all racial and gender identities, and with awareness of the trauma experienced by youth in care and historically marginalized communities.
- Embrace transformation by seeking out perspectives across the organization and with partner organizations and communities to evolve how Treehouse serves youth with curiosity and openness to new ideas.
- Collaborate with Treehouse Resource Navigation department to identify and refer youth to appropriate resources to support education, social/emotional development, and other needs in an equitable manner.
- Review High School & Beyond Plan for integration in the student’s goals and student-centered planning.
- Acquire easily accessible consent forms for each assigned youth and collect school records as needed.
- Schedule and facilitate inter-agency meetings, notify and partner with the Foster Care Liaison to develop transportation plans, assist with credit transfer/retrieval, and negotiate services and disciplinary appeals, etc.
- Collaborate regularly with the youth’s care team including, but not limited to: state, federal, or tribal social workers, community partners, caregivers, school personnel, and Treehouse leadership incorporating de-escalation, conflict resolution, culturally sensitive, and compassionate support to those who have experienced trauma or may be experiencing crisis.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and updated case records for each youth in the program’s database. Including consent forms as needed.
- Partner with management to collect and provide recommendations on culturally diverse success stories, testimonials, and feedback that represent the organizational mission upon request.
- Participate in cross-functional initiatives aimed at enhancing employee experience, workflow efficiency, and organizational culture.
- Engage in ongoing education and reflection to strengthen Treehouse’s ability to support the growth, success, and well-being of the Black youth we serve.
- Collaborate to build long-term, respectful partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations to ensure items offered to Indigenous youth are culturally grounded and community-informed.
- Practice abundance by helping to steward resources thoughtfully, leveraging partnerships, and sharing excess resources with other nonprofits when possible
- Perform other duties as assigned.
