Professional Development Coordinator

Are you passionate about fostering educational and professional growth within a vibrant community? Do you have experience administering assistance programs and a deep respect for Native American culture? The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe is seeking a Professional Development Coordinator to empower our Tribal Citizens and descendants through vital higher education, professional development, and enrichment programs.

This is an incredible opportunity to make a tangible impact by increasing educational and employment development opportunities for our community members. If you're a highly organized, compassionate, and skilled professional with a strong understanding of higher education systems and tribal communities, we encourage you to apply!

About the Role

As the Professional Development Coordinator, you will be instrumental in the successful implementation and management of the Tribe's higher education, professional development assistance, and enrichment funds. You will administer tuition assistance, evaluate policies, maintain crucial records, and provide essential support to Tribal Citizens and descendants in pursuing their educational and career goals. This role also involves administrative support to the Family Services Manager and collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders.

Professional Development Coordinator Essential Functions

Higher Education Program

• Administer the Higher Education tuition assistance program.

• Evaluate policies and procedures as needs and trends arise. Bring suggested policy changes to the appropriate parties and implement according to the updates approved.

• Create newsletters, social media marketing, recruitment materials, and digital and paper application materials for the JST Higher Education tuition assistance program and various scholarships.

• Collect and maintain education-related records and communications as stipulated by the Higher Education Assistance program policies and procedures.

• Input and maintain up to date data and reporting in the appropriate databases. For the eligible applicants, assess each student’s annual cost of attendance for their college, university or certificated program.

• Create an annual budget for Family Services Manager, SCS Director, Higher Education Committee, and Council review.

• Collect accurate financial documents from students and the college/university/certificated program. Create payment requisitions and mail tuition checks and supplemental documentation to each college/university/certificated program to facilitate payments for each educational program term before payment due dates.

• Review and evaluate grades from each educational program term for individual students.

• Develop and maintain local and nationwide relationships with college personnel, financial aid departments and other education programs.

• Pro-actively assist Tribal Citizens in obtaining necessary information for educational assistance including applications and financial aid. This can include in-person meetings with college staff and students.

• Coordinate with the Higher Education Committee Chair to develop the quarterly agenda for the Committee. Prepare meeting documents, according to the agenda, for each Committee member and coordinate a meal for each meeting. Provide SCS Director-approved information to the Committee.

• Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to aid students in making and conducting vocational and educational objectives and inform the Committee of this information.

• Provide advocacy and assistance to students (both Tribal Citizens and other AI/ANs) for letters of recommendation, loan forgiveness education as well as researching other ways to finance an individual’s education.

• Coordinate annual recognition event for graduates at Annual Picnic and Tribal Newsletter.

Enrichment Program

• Administer the Enrichment Program and evaluate policies and procedures as needs and trends arise. Bring suggested policy changes to the appropriate parties and implement according to the updates approved.

• Collect request records and communications as stipulated by the Enrichment program policies and procedures. Input and maintain data and reporting in the appropriate databases.

• Create payment requisitions for orders to vendors and reimbursements to Tribal Citizens in a timely manner and mail reimbursement checks in applicable.

• Monitor the program budget (program budget amount determined by the Family Services Manager, SCS Director, and Tribal Council). Notify the above parties of needs and trends so that the budget can be adjusted.

Vocational Development

• Provide assistance and referrals to Tribal Citizens, Tribal Descendants, and other AI/ANs in developing job resumes and cover letters.

• Aid in teaching clients how to fill out job applications and job interview skills, as needed.

• Help teach clients how to search for jobs on the internet, in the newspaper, in-person visits at job locations, etc.

• Connect clients to job skills training, job search organizations, etc.

Other SCS Duties

• Assist Family Services Manager with any additional administrative duties needed.

• Participate in case staffing as needed with other SCS staff and consistently communicate with the Case Management team to keep services coordinated (as well as prevent gaps in services and unduplicated services for clients).

• Prepare reporting information as required by contracts and for Tribal Council quarterly reports.

• Suggest and coordinate on-going program improvements and enhancements with the Family Services Manager and SCS Director.

• Responsible for submission of purchase orders and coordinating supply needs.

• Seek out training relevant to position.

• Comply with current and ongoing grant requirements including reporting in a timely manner.

• Develop, update, and implement Higher Education and Professional Development program policies and procedures with the Family Services Manager and SCS Director.

• Develop and manage annual program budgets, record keeping and reporting systems for Higher Education, Learning Enrichment Teen Career Exploration Program (TCEP) and Title VI programs in coordination with the SC Director.

• Adhere to all JST policies and procedures, including but not limited to standards for safety, and work practices as described in the Occupational Exposure Control Plan.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree with three (3) years’ experience in social or human services or assistance programs.

• Cultural competency: knowledge or experience with Indian culture and communities required. Ability to manage client relationships with respect to Tribal culture and traditions.

• Strong knowledge of college application processes, academic grade evaluation, higher education systems, and career development.

• Ability to effectively and positively communicate with Elders and the Tribal Community, timely while managing multiple requests.

• Strong skills and experience in Word, Excel, Publisher, Access Data Base and other computer skills necessary in carrying out assignments.

• The ability to speak publicly in front of large groups, and to give presentations to staff, Tribal Council and other tribal groups.

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills sufficient for keeping files on all students and citizens who participate in programs.

• Proven organizational and time management skills demonstrating the ability to follow through and manage details.

• Must possess strong ability to organize and develop documents as required by programs.

• Ability to work with other local, state and federal service agencies and governments.

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Suites.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills including effective verbal and written communication.

• Ability to travel locally and regionally as assigned.

• Valid Driver’s License.

• Must be able to successfully pass criminal background investigation.