Tribal Liaison and Community Engagement Coordinator

EXEMPT POSITIONTribal Liaison and Community Engagement Coordinator$70,000 - $85,000.Closes October 4, 2024This position may be eligible for a partial telework schedule. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days).AGENCY OVERVIEWThe Washington State Board of Education consists of 16 members, a blend of Governor-appointed and community-elected representatives, supported by a 12-member staff. The Board focuses on shaping policies and advocating for the state’s K-12 public education system. Our main goal is to create an equitable education system where every student gets the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive in a changing world.The Board’s primary areas of responsibility include:• Advocacy and strategic oversight of public education• High school graduation requirements• Supporting the goals of basic education• Educational system health, accountability, and recognitionPOSITION OVERVIEWAre you passionate about fostering meaningful partnerships with tribal communities and elevating the voices of underserved populations? The State Board of Education is looking for a dedicated individual to join our Engagement Team as a Tribal Liaison and Community Engagement Coordinator. In this role, you will build strong, culturally competent relationships with local tribes and historically excluded communities, working to ensure that engagement is inclusive, meaningful, and mutually beneficial. Your efforts will help the Board engage students, families, and community partners in co-designing policies that are more responsive to the needs of the people we serve, particularly those who are underserved and marginalized.Your focus will be on elevating and centering the voices of Native American and indigenous students, communities of color, migrant students, undocumented students, families from low-income backgrounds, families experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, students in foster care, students involved in the juvenile justice system, LGBTQIA students, and other communities that have been historically and systemically underserved by the public education system.The State Board is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we encourage applicants with firsthand lived experience as a member of a community that has been historically and systemically underserved. Your unique perspectives and experiences will be valued as we work together to create a more inclusive education system.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESTribal Government Relations:• Serve as the primary contact person for tribal governments, maintaining open and consistent communication between the State Board of Education and tribes whose traditional lands and territories include parts of Washington.• Lead staff efforts in building authentic relationships with tribal leaders, tribal youth councils, and tribal community members, while identifying and addressing participation barriers.• Facilitate regular meetings and communication channels between the State Board and tribal leaders and tribal community members to discuss educational policies, programs, and initiatives to learn how the Board can best support Native students and educators.• Develop and nurture relationships with tribal governments to support collaborative policy-making and problem-solving.Community Engagement:• Build and sustain trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with partner organizations (e.g., community-based and non-profit organizations) representing communities whose voices have historically not been heard in government policy.• Develop and implement strategies to engage students, families, and communities across the state in the education policy-making process, prioritizing underserved and marginalized communities.• Strategically utilize funding to address participation barriers within marginalized communities.• Develop and manage a selection process for contracting with partner organizations.• Manage contracts with partner organizations including ongoing monitoring and reporting.• Provide opportunities for Board members to learn from communities and ensure that the Board understands the issues raised and needs identified by these groups as it considers policy adoption and implementation.Policy Development and Implementation:• Assist in developing and implementing state and agency policies that promote effective communication and collaboration between the State Board of Education and tribal communities, ensuring that all efforts are guided by an equity lens.• Ensure that education policies are co-created with communities, particularly underserved and/or marginalized communities, to foster inclusive and equitable education practices.• Monitor and evaluate the impact of policies on tribal communities and other underserved and/or marginalized groups, recommending adjustments as necessary to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.Training and Professional Development:• Coordinate and deliver training programs for State Board of Education members and staff on government-to-government relations and cultural competency, drawing from the state Cultural Competency Diversity Equity and Inclusion standards and deep knowledge of governance structures at both the state and tribal levels.• Develop resources and provide ongoing support for staff to engage effectively with tribal communities and other underserved and/or marginalized populations.Communication and Outreach:• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to share information with tribal governments and other underserved and/or marginalized communities through various communication platforms, including social media, newsletters, and community meetings.• Maintain a transparent and accessible flow of information between the State Board of Education, tribal governments, and the public.Data Collection and Reporting:• Collect and analyze data on community engagement efforts, policy impacts, and educational outcomes for tribal communities and other underserved and/or marginalized communities.• Prepare and present reports to the State Board of Education, tribal governments, and the public on the effectiveness of engagement strategies and policy initiatives.• Use data to inform continuous improvement of engagement practices and policy development.Additional Duties:• Collaborate with other state agencies and other governmental entities such as the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, ethnic commissions, LGBTQ Commission, Office of Equity, Office of Native Education, and others to enhance community engagement efforts.• Represent the State Board of Education at tribal meetings, community events, and other relevant forums.• Stay informed about current trends, research, and best practices in tribal relations, community engagement, and education policy.• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the Board.• Support Successful Board Meetings: Attend each regularly scheduled Board meeting (virtual attendance is acceptable, but in-person attendance is required for the annual planning meeting and at least two other meetings each year). Assist Board members, SBE staff, and presenters with various tasks as needed, and help set up or take down equipment and materials required for State Board meetings.• Committee and Workgroup Facilitation: May serve as lead staff for one or more Board committees or workgroups as assigned.• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Support respectful dialogue, even when uncomfortable, and participate in continuous learning, development, and training offered in diversity, inclusion, cultural humility, and equity.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS• A bachelor’s degree with three (3) or more years of experience fostering authentic outreach and engagement with tribes and with other underserved and/or marginalized communities OR• Associate’s degree with five (5) years of experience fostering authentic outreach and engagement with tribes and with other underserved and/or marginalized communities• Deep knowledge about at least one of the following areas: indigenous rights, tribal sovereignty, state and tribal governance structures, and tribal social justice issues.• Firsthand lived experience as a member of a community that has been underserved and/or marginalized.• Willingness and ability to participate in continuous learning, development, and training offered in the areas of diversity, inclusion, cultural humility, oppression, and equity.• Understanding of and demonstrated experience applying an equity lens and principles of authentic tribal and community engagement.• Highly skilled at fostering relationships of mutual trust; identifying, developing, and building networks of engagement with diverse (racial, ethnic, and linguistic) communities, thought leaders, partners, and contractors.• Highly skilled at engaging and supporting respectful dialogue and courageous conversations even when uncomfortable, working across differences, embracing critical feedback, and resolving conflict.• Familiarity with Washington’s public K-12 education system, policy issues, and laws impacting Washington schools and districts.• Experience with project management, including developing and monitoring implementation plans and managing timelines.• Ability to travel statewide and work a varied schedule, which may include evenings and weekends.• Willingness and ability to take on a variety of assignments that regularly emerge in an environment with diverse demands and a very small staff.• Willingness and ability to co-create with your colleagues a welcoming, supportive, safe, affirming, and respectful work environment.DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS• The ideal person will have at least two years of experience with intergovernmental (between tribes and federal, state, or local governments) relations.• Knowledge or expertise in Native American history and Federal Indian Law and Treaties.• Ability to understand and speak a language other than English, especially a tribal language or one of the languages commonly spoken in Washington State (including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Marshallese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and ASL).• Experience working with youth and centering youth voice in decision making.• Experience collecting and summarizing narrative information (qualitative data) without introducing bias, developing responsive strategies, and communicating complex information to a general audience.CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT• Schedule (i.e., hours and days): M-F 8-5, evening and weekend work occasionally required.• Valid Washington state driver’s license, use of personal motor vehicle (with mileage reimbursement), and proof of appropriate auto insurance.• Travel, including overnight travel, is required for attendance at Board meetings, stakeholder, meetings, school visits, and other meetings and conferences.• Must reside in Washington State at time of employment.COMPENSATIONThe annual compensation for the position is $70,000 - $85,000. per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Dept. of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director, and is civil service exempt. The position is not represented by a bargaining unit.APPLICATION PROCESSThose interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov . Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format only:• A letter of interest addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement including specific information on the following areas to help us better understand your experience and alignment with the position.• Tribal Relations Experience: Highlight your experience working with tribal governments or Native American communities. Discuss how you built trust, navigated cultural contexts, and fostered collaboration.• Engagement with Underserved Communities: Describe your experience building and sustaining relationships with underserved or marginalized communities, including how you ensured that engagement was meaningful, inclusive, and mutually beneficial, and the outcome of your efforts.• K-12 Education System: Describe your understanding of Washington’s K-12 public education system, particularly as it relates to equity and inclusion challenges.• Equity and Lived Experience: We invite you to share how your firsthand lived experience has informed your perspective and approach to applying an equity lens in your community engagement work.• A current resume, and;• A list of three or more professional references.Supplemental Questions:• This position requires travel across the state. Please acknowledge that you can travel for meetings that would require an overnight stay. (Y/N)• Are you able to work a varied schedule, which may occasionally include evenings and weekends? (Y/N)• Are you able to understand and speak a language other than English? (Y/N). If so, please list here:Please address any questions to:Sal Salazar, Human ResourcesOffice of Superintendent of Public Instruction600 Washington Street SoutheastOlympia, WA 98504-7200360-725-6278, or email sal.saalzar@k12.wa.usThe State Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. SBE provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-725-6271 or hroffice@k12.wa.us.