Tribal Program Specialist

Northwest Regional Council•Bellingham, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) is a multi-service agency serving Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties in Washington. The Tribal Program Specialist serves Indigenous people in NWRC’s service area, including members of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, Sauk Suiattle, Swinomish, and Upper Skagit sovereign nations. The position may be based in NWRC’s Bellingham or Mount Vernon office. The Tribal Outreach Program uses culturally appropriate materials and approaches to help older Indigenous people understand and access services. The specialist provides information and assistance, helps elders find culturally appropriate in-home care and other support, acts as a cultural interpreter for service providers, and advocates for elders facing barriers to necessary services. The role builds and maintains relationships between Indigenous communities and NWRC, and shares information about services available to Indigenous people, elders, and individuals with disabilities or complex medical conditions. It supports community outreach and the development and use of community resources in ways that recognize Tribal sovereignty and the support needs of Indigenous people. Work takes place in community-based and individualized, family-centered settings and serves people who may experience significant vulnerability. The position requires cultural humility, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and relationship- and trust-centered service delivery, with awareness of historical trauma and systemic inequities. The position is full-time, permanent, and non-exempt. It can be based in either the Bellingham or Mount Vernon office. The schedule is developed with the Community Programs Supervisor and includes regular in-person office time, optional remote days, and frequent travel throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties. The hourly pay range is $29.34–$38.29, on a 10-step scale. NWRC generally starts new employees at the first step, but may consider a higher step based on experience, training, or demonstrated capability, with internal equity also considered. Benefits include employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; Washington State Public Employees Retirement System participation; an Employee Assistance Program; life and long-term disability insurance; accrued vacation and sick leave; paid holidays and wellness days; voluntary flexible spending and deferred compensation plans; alternative work schedules; and a hybrid work environment. Certified Social Services Interpreters receive 4% premium pay. NWRC meets the definition of a public service organization for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent and five years of paid or volunteer human services, community-based work, advocacy, outreach, or related experience; OR a bachelor's degree in human services, social services, public health, education, or a related field and one year of paid or volunteer human services experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of Indigenous traditions, culture, customs, historical context, and ways of being, including the impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma.
Understanding of institutional barriers to services.
Cultural humility and advanced interpersonal communication skills to build and sustain respectful, trust-based relationships with Indigenous clients, families, Tribal partners, and community stakeholders.
Skills in client assessment, service navigation, advocacy, professional boundaries, problem-solving, organization, time management, and documentation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced shared workspace with frequent interruptions while meeting deadlines and maintaining service quality.
Ability to use computers and software, including Microsoft Office, the internet, and email.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of client information and financial records.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, government service personnel, community partners, businesses, and the public, using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
Ability to engage with communities of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and other marginalized communities, and commitment to fostering belonging for people of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
Valid driver's license, a vehicle available for work-related travel, and appropriate liability insurance.
Complete AIRS certification after one full year of employment and participate in additional training and certifications.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Indigenous people and/or Tribal communities is highly preferred.
Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is desired but not required.
Lived experience, strong community ties, and/or traditional knowledge that supports effective, trust-based engagement with Indigenous communities are strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities

Provide information and assistance to Indigenous people, elders, and individuals with disabilities or complex medical conditions.
Help elders find culturally appropriate personal care and other assistance in their homes.
Conduct community outreach to support the development and use of community services and resources.
Build and maintain relationships between Indigenous communities and NWRC to share information about available services.
Act as a cultural interpreter for service providers and advocate for elders experiencing barriers to necessary services.
Support individuals in community-based and individualized, family-centered settings.
Recognize Tribal sovereignty and honor the support needs of Indigenous people in service delivery.
Complete client assessments, service navigation, advocacy, and documentation of activities.
Travel frequently throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties and coordinate a schedule with the Community Programs Supervisor.
Maintain client confidentiality, including confidential client information and financial records.
Obtain Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) certification during the second year of employment and complete additional training or certifications.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical coverage for the employee and up to 95% paid medical coverage for dependents, with multiple plan options.
Employer-paid dental and vision coverage for the employee and eligible dependents, with multiple plan options.
Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS 2 or PERS 3).
Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program for the employee and dependents.
Life and long-term disability insurance, with voluntary buy-up options.
Vacation leave accrued at 8 hours per month, increasing with longevity.
Sick leave accrued at 8 hours per month.
13 paid holidays annually.
3 paid wellness days annually.
Voluntary flexible spending plans for health and/or child or elder care.
Voluntary deferred compensation program.
Alternative work schedules.
Hybrid work environment.
4% premium pay for Certified Social Services Interpreters.
NWRC meets the Public Service Loan Forgiveness definition of a public service organization.