The Education Connector Coordinator provides culturally appropriate and effective student, individual, parent and group academic guidance activities.  The Connector works with students’ and parents on education, vocational and career development and on personal and social growth activities.  The Connector is expected to work cooperatively with the counseling team to support the Muckleshoot Community and Tribal School staff in the development of educational, counseling and guidance activities and referrals that meet the individual and unique needs of the Tribal School students, parents and community. This position participates in reviewing, monitoring, and referring student academic programs, transcripts and assessments.

*This is a Grant funded position. 

1. Conduct bio-psychosocial assessments and social histories.
2. Assist with assessing students for substance use, support systems, physical and emotional functioning, barriers to academic performance, peer issues, suicidal/homicidal ideation, and similar issues.
3. Develop and implement referrals for treatment plans and discharge plans that support student self-determination.
4. Recommend direct referrals for therapeutic services such as individual, family or group therapy regarding specific issues.
5. Support crisis management services, referrals, including assessing for safety.
6. Advocate for student services and students’ best interests.
7. Work collaboratively with the team to provide case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources, collaboration with other professionals.
8. Assist with providing trainings and workshops for/ to parents.
9. Conduct home visits.
10. Identify and support students with succeeding in school, and helping create a future career/college plan.
11. Contribute to a multidisciplinary treatment team.
12. Work as a partner with Parent Liaison, and School Administration to access community resources on a daily basis to meet individual student needs and to assist students to meet their personal, educational and behavioral goals.
13. Provide support to the grade level counseling team in implementing a cohesive referral program that meets the social, emotional, academic and cultural needs of students enrolled.
14. Assist with facilitating a peer-based emotional support network or “buddy system” for enrolled students.
15. Provide input to leadership in care team meetings and serve as an advocate for students communicating academic, social, emotional and/or cultural needs that may be affecting students’ success in school.
16. Assist with coordinating, interpreting and communicating student academic history and assessments with students, parents and teachers as appropriate, while ensuring compliance with Bureau and State requirements.
17. Maintain a variety of records and files, including confidential student records and information. May perform routine clerical tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, filing, faxes and photocopying.
18. Attend and participate in required staff meetings and other activities as requested.
19. Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time.  Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

Required:

• Bachelor degree in Education or related field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred:

• Experience working in a school setting.
• Experience working with youth in a native community.
• Experience in mental health promotion, suicide and substance abuse prevention work in communities.
• Washington State Teaching Certificate.
• CPR-First Aid, HIV- AIDS Training/Certificate. De-escalation Training/Certificate.

Special Requirements: 

• Must pass MIT criminal background check and drug screen.
• Completion of Washington State Department of Social and Health Services form to complete and pass a criminal background check clearance, which may include fingerprinting.
• Completion of a psychiatric evaluation and assessment test.

Skilled In:

• Advocacy.
• Seeking necessary resources for students and facilitating coordination of services.
• Office equipment – proficient in using computers, copy machines, fax machines and telephones.
• Effective oral and written communication with parents/guardians, students, staff, administrators and community members that demonstrate awareness of the unique environment in which she/ he will be working.
• Problem solving and decision making, including resourcefulness, fact finding, research, prioritization, plan development and effectiveness evaluation.
• Conflict management.
• Maintaining confidentiality and complying with HIPAA and other applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.

Knowledge of:

• HIPAA laws/regulations with regard to protected health information (PHI); code of ethics, confidentiality and privacy principles.
• Knowledge of community resources and school options in the Muckleshoot area – public and tribal. 

Ability to:

• Maintain strong, productive relationships in a positive, confident and culturally sensitive manner with other staff, parents, students and community.
• Maintain confidentiality in matters relating to school, students and families.
• Listen and provide feedback and support to students in need, offering appropriate guidance and suggestions for students.
• Work independently, prioritizing workload and adapting to changes in work load demands
• Work under pressure, to pay attention to detail, to concentrate, to follow directions and work independently.
• Learn and work within a native community.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear for long periods of time. Continuously uses vision and listens. Frequently drives. Manual dexterity for computer work and routine paperwork. Occasionally walks, talks, climbs, bends at the waist, twists, uses foot controls, and/or reaches with hands and arms. Occasionally operates a moving vehicle. Occasionally lifts and/or carries up to 20 lbs.   Occasionally works outside and is exposed to weather conditions.