Tribal Pathways Manager

Green River College•Main Campus - 12401 SE 320th Street Auburn, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Tribal Pathway Manager (TPM) will provide case management and academic/career support to Native American students as they prepare and are enrolled in Green River College’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs; with an emphasis on students in the Natural Resources program through the CEDAR project, a collaborative project with Muckleshoot Tribal College. This position serves as a navigator for Tribal students at GRC, prospective Tribal students in the region, and helps develop and support communication pathways between GRC and the Muckleshoot Tribal College. The TPM will work with existing support faculty and GRC staff and be primarily focused on students: aiding in student recruitment; supporting students as they enroll; guiding them as they progress on their academic pathways; and connecting students to resources at Green River College or Muckleshoot Tribal College (MTC), to ensure their retention and success. The TPM will also assist Green River College (GRC) faculty and staff to implement cultural programming and curriculum to existing courses; professional development; and the planning and coordination of services to maximize applicable students’ successful postsecondary entry, transition, retention, and graduation. This is a 12-month exempt staff position and requires some evening/weekend hours. This position will be housed at GRC but may include up to 25% each week among various locations, including Muckleshoot Tribal College and various career fairs and outreach events. This position will report to the Dean of Trades in consultation with the Dean of STEM and grant PIs. This position will be in regular communication with the lead faculty and staff in participating CTE programs. ABOUT THE COLLEGE: Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION: We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities. The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in social, educational or human related field.
Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders (e.g., community organizations, employers, and governmental agencies) to achieve mutual goals.
Experience providing direct service to Native American students at the postsecondary level; and with working with and on behalf of Native American communities.
A clear understanding and appreciation of the training and educational opportunities, services, and resources available through the community college and Tribal educational systems.
Able to communicate effectively with administrators, community members, educators, and students, work as a team member, and use their input to creatively solve problems.
Able to relate and work well with Native American students, adults, and families in a caring, confident, and confidential manner.
Able to remain flexible to changes in assignment or situations, work under pressure, pay attention to detail, concentrate, and follow directions.
Able to independently identify and accomplish necessary tasks, coordinating between multiple partners when necessary
Awareness of the complex needs of a diverse student population attending non-Tribal and/or Tribal community colleges, and a working knowledge of student and career development theory.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of best practices in advising Native American students.
Working familiarity/knowledge of the Natural Resources sector.
Working knowledge of MS Office, the Internet, and electronic databases.

Responsibilities

Document hours and tasks completed on multiple grants in regular intervals for grant reporting needs. All tasks completed during regular working hours need to be grant outcome-focused for the two applicable grants that fund this position.
Work with lead faculty and in CTE programs to compliment/support their onboarding process for tribal students.
Consult with pertinent Natural Resources and other CTE program faculty and staff and Muckleshoot Tribe personnel on processes and recommending strategies to reduce student barriers
In collaboration with faculty and staff, inform prospective students about degree options and related career pathways or transfer options and requirements; interpret assessment scores
Help students to become self-directed in the educational planning process by connecting them to existing resources to acquire essential college success skills to thrive in postsecondary education.
As directed by students, support the appropriate involvement of their parents/caregivers in educational/career planning and decision-making.
Maintain strict confidentiality and protect potentially sensitive personal information in all matters pertaining to students and parents/caregivers.
Work with Native students’ primary advisors in each CTE program to help follow up with Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and other student support services to resolve admission, registration, and graduation problems for students in a timely fashion; as well as to ensure that students receive resources to overcome non-academic challenges to their postsecondary success.
Assist with coordinating and conducting student, family, and community learning activities or events that infuse Tribal history and cultural knowledge into GRC CTE programs, with an emphasis on the Natural Resources program; and that foster a welcoming and inclusive learning environment within these programs of study.
Work with teams from GRC, MTC, and regional partners to collaborate in partnership to create and plan outreach events and activities to recruit students to Natural Resources and other CTE programs offered by GRC.
In collaboration with GRC and Muckleshoot Tribe faculty and staff, develop and conduct workshops and presentations to meet students and their parents/caregivers’ needs.
Communicate areas of study for future partnerships or collaboration with MTC and Tribes of the region.
Outreach to students potentially interested in Natural Resources and other CTE programs offered by GRC to bridge the gap between interest and admission.
Help connect GRC CTE programs to relevant networks and resources from which they can expand and incorporate American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) curriculum to enhance existing courses, instructional assessments, and techniques; and otherwise exhibit greater cultural awareness and responsiveness.
Assist in promoting and evaluating project-related educational and career planning resources and services.
Help facilitate, connect and network CTE faculty and staff to professional development and training opportunities around working with Native students.
Give participating CTE departments feedback to help ensure that work being completed is congruent with the student, program, and Native American community needs.
Assist in developing, promoting, and evaluating related educational resources.
Participate in professional development with focus on continued learning related to regional cultures and histories as well as self-reflection and self-awareness.
Approach and resolve any interpersonal or institutional conflicts in an open, fair, and professional manner.
Support the mission and goals of MTC, the Muckleshoot Tribe, GRC, and GRC’s Natural Resources program.
Support the hiring (via recruitment, serving on hiring committees, etc) of Native faculty, student scholars and community members to teach in the MTC/GRC cohort programs.
Stay informed on and participate in work of the Native American Working Group (NAWG) and the WA Community and Technical College AIIS Advisory Board (WCAAB)